Tri-cycle build differential ideas

[the repair man]

Hi guys, after seeing Naughtyboys trike on here,

I'm determined to build a trike, I'm hoping my ailing father who can no longer use his bike will be able to use it. However, looking online at prefab tricycle differentials made my eyes fart..! they don't come cheap.
So, I need to convert something or make something, I have seen and idea using 3 single gear sprockets, but that leaves the inside wheel on the turn driving, which under pedal power will be hardly moving, so no drive.
Need some ideas, trawled the net for days and best I can come up with is to use a quad axle, but then it starts to get heavy.

Plenty of good brains on here, lend me your wisdom please
Cheers

 

[chunkolini]

One option which has been used for years is to use one side for the drive.
I think in the Uk it is the left and on the continent it is the right.
That way the driven side is trying to climb the camber on the road.
I have ridden trikes like this on the road no problem.
Well just one problem. Picture this. The cocky idiot tries to wheelie the trike.
One driven wheel?
The trike tries to make the smallest circle possible, and rears up like a loon.
The idiot lands on his ****.
Pillock.
No need for a diff.
Loads of cash saved.
It may not be the most efficient option but it works.
Hope that helps.

 

[the repair man]

Nah, I made a go-kart like that, it was great for wheelies in circles, but only turned one way well. Besides if it's too easy to build, whats the point..!

 

[chunkolini]

the repair man, South Wales?
That is not so far from me.
In the Forest of Dean is Pedalabikeaway, they have a range of adapted bikes.
They used to have several trikes I used to use in my old job.
Get in touch and ask for advice.
It would be worth having a test ride or two.

 

[Eastblock]

Probably easier to make one with a two front, one rear configuration along the lines of cargo bikes.

 

[the repair man]

No, I want a comfy recumbent seat with good back support, and low to the ground. I'm aiming for 20" rear wheels. Being able to get on and off easily and a seat to push against are a must. I toyed with 2 wheels at the front, but decided on the more difficult approach lol. I need a diff, just not sure how best to do it yet.

 

[the repair man]

the repair man, South Wales?
That is not so far from me.
In the Forest of Dean is Pedalabikeaway, they have a range of adapted bikes.
They used to have several trikes I used to use in my old job.
Get in touch and ask for advice.
It would be worth having a test ride or two.

Cheers Chunk, will have a look, but most the stuff like that I've seen is £200+ for diff, then axles and hubs to suit etc. I don't have money to throw at this, it will be made of old cutlery, barbed wire etc lol

 

[normspanners]

I was thinking about this awhile ago and was thinking of twin chains to the back axle from the pedals possible using two crank arms with sprockets either side of the bottom bracket have the axle split but with a support brg male /female joining it and two freewheel hubs on either half shaft the only problem is you would be driving on the inner wheel on a tight turn but so are you on a one wheel drive on one turn , because the outer wheel is traveling faster the sprag bearing would allow it to free wheel

 

[CompoSimmonite]

Older ride on mowers as well a mobility scooters have diffs.
The one I've got it tiny.
Check out mower axles on eBay.

Paul h

 

[Eastblock]

Why not a recumbent trike then?

 

[the snooper]

get an axle from a disability scooter and modify it, the hubs bolt off leaving the axle with a keyway.
only problem may be the ratio

 

[Eastblock]

This one looks nice: http://www.atomiczombie.com/TimberWolf Suspension Delta Trike.aspx

 

[the repair man]

This one looks nice: http://www.atomiczombie.com/TimberWolf Suspension Delta Trike.aspx

Thats exactly the sort of thing I have in mind, but again they just use freewheeling hubs. I have found an axle with diff for $119 but add postage, import tax etc it gets expensive. Got a mate in the states, will see if he could order and send it to me. 1" axle though, so limits wheel choice a bit, could use 14" barrow wheels. Time / money will tell...tbc

 

[the repair man]

get an axle from a disability scooter and modify it, the hubs bolt off leaving the axle with a keyway.
only problem may be the ratio

Are they chain drive? The ones I've seen have a motor per wheel and no diff?

 

[the snooper]

I repaired one recently it only had 1 motor and a diff you would just need to adapt a linkage to couple up where the motor was

infact it wasn't that long ago I scrapped a chain driven axle with a diff on it so they do exist you just have to find one

 

[the snooper]

these are the types I mentioned the chain driven does have the diff right next to the sprocket which allows for cornering

 

[KemppiFrog]

The bits out of a ride on mower would work. I was given one that had hit a rock and mashed the diff casing. Rebuilt it with a tube across the casing to take the loads. The axles were 5/8" or similar. It has been replaced by a Countax and sits out the back if you are passing The gears are fairly crude, but since they move very little, that is unimportant. The engines usually fail first, so there must be loads of g/boxes around.

 

[piman]

Hello The Repair Man,

I agree with Chunkolini, why does such a low powered vehicle need both rear wheels driven? Just drive one wheel.

Alec

 

[the repair man]

Hello The Repair Man,

I agree with Chunkolini, why does such a low powered vehicle need both rear wheels driven? Just drive one wheel.

Alec

Firstly, building it one wheel drive is just too easy, If I wasn't going to enjoy the build and the challenges it brings, I wouldn't do it. Secondly my father has limited mobility, and he's pretty fat. It wont go round corners at low speed with 1 wheel drive, and he would have to get out and push it. In other words, he would use it once, decide it is sh*t and leave it in the garage.

You need momentum to turn 1 wheel drive, he will be plodding along!

 

[naughtyboy]

that one as been stripped to build trike for my eldest girl.
its going to have carrying area on back for all her junk.

am looking into building some working indicators and brake lights using leds to go on it.