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polkat · 09-17-2009, 11:44 AM

Has anyone here ever converted thier bike into a trike (in this case a Kawasaki KZ750)? If so, what parts did you use? I want to do this myself (and not use one of the mega bucks kits), and was wondering about possible rear ends to use, brakes, etc. Any ideas? Thanks!

acecycleins · 09-17-2009, 01:26 PM

It's not worth it. The coversion kits are expensive vs the value of the bike. If you check around there is a smokin' 86 Honda VF700 SuperMagna that has a trick conversion kit for sale in GA. I used to insure it and the new owner posted something on a forum that he was selling it because he lost his job. You'll spend around $6500 for it, but it's clean and taken care of. Don't remember where I saw the post- sorry.

Kenneth_Moore · 09-17-2009, 01:51 PM

I put cards in my spokes once. It sounded so cool!

pushrod · 09-17-2009, 02:06 PM

polkat,

The short answer is: Don't do it!

It will cost a good bit of money, and it will make you crazy trying to get the geometries and construction details right.

You cannot just weld the ass-end of an old Datsun pickup to a couple pieces of square tube and bolt it up.

Even if you managed to build it perfectly, you'd have a vehicle that would do everything it could to throw you off. Especially in an emergency braking maneuver, or a hot turn.

mscuddy · 09-17-2009, 03:40 PM

Don't let these nattering nabobs of negativism stop you from modifying your KZ7550, what you need to find is a Cushman Truckster, cut the back end off, and weld it up to your Kawasaki's frame.

The Truckster has sprockets, and cable actuated drum brakes, so you will have top flight equipment when you go with the Cushman mod.

Also, you can get many accessories for the truckster, like a cement mixer, mini-wrecker, glof club bag holders, and a neat refrigerated box if you want to sell ice creme to the neighborhood kiddies. I mean, in this economy you might as well get the most out of it...

polkat · 09-17-2009, 05:38 PM

Seriously, is a Truckster frame strong enough to hold up to a big Kawasaki? And how would it perform at highway speeds?

pplassm · 09-17-2009, 05:54 PM

The only home-brew conversions I've seen involve grafting a quad front end onto the bike. That means you have two wheels up front for cornering and braking.

They work pretty well, so I'm told.

But I am sure that is not what you're looking for.

seruzawa · 09-17-2009, 06:11 PM

You might be better off finding an old HD servicar and sticking the Kawasaki motor in it.

mscuddy · 09-18-2009, 11:35 AM

Trucksters were rated at 1000 lbs. with an 8 hp motor. Your old KZ motor should do just fine. The frame was beefy enough for a hydraulic dump-bed option as well.

sarnali2 · 09-18-2009, 12:14 PM

Why don't you just ride the kawi and find an early Beetle and cut it in half to make a trike out of. I'm talkin' true 70's style here with a 15 foot spring and apehangers nice 6 foot King/Queen Cobra seat... flat black paint with Moon Racing eye's on it..(ask your dad)......If you want total authenticity spray can FTA, FTM, FTN or the catch-all FTW on it in flat white...a nice big "13" on the back....some original 15 inch Cragers with mis-matched tire size's......

Now you're mobbin yo.....

09-17-2009, 11:44 AM	#1
polkat Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 7	Trike conversion? Has anyone here ever converted thier bike into a trike (in this case a Kawasaki KZ750)? If so, what parts did you use? I want to do this myself (and not use one of the mega bucks kits), and was wondering about possible rear ends to use, brakes, etc. Any ideas? Thanks!

09-17-2009, 01:26 PM	#2
acecycleins Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: North Georgia Posts: 4,125	It's not worth it. The coversion kits are expensive vs the value of the bike. If you check around there is a smokin' 86 Honda VF700 SuperMagna that has a trick conversion kit for sale in GA. I used to insure it and the new owner posted something on a forum that he was selling it because he lost his job. You'll spend around $6500 for it, but it's clean and taken care of. Don't remember where I saw the post- sorry. __________________ "Slack" - a state of being in which everything flows smoothly.....a frame of mind so at ease that the universe naturally cooperates.

09-17-2009, 01:51 PM	#3
Kenneth_Moore Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: VIsiting the GIft Shop in the Pit of DIspair Posts: 7,118	I put cards in my spokes once. It sounded so cool! __________________ www.kennethmoore.org

09-17-2009, 02:06 PM	#4
pushrod Founding Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Baja 'Bama Posts: 3,478	polkat, The short answer is: Don't do it! It will cost a good bit of money, and it will make you crazy trying to get the geometries and construction details right. You cannot just weld the ass-end of an old Datsun pickup to a couple pieces of square tube and bolt it up. Even if you managed to build it perfectly, you'd have a vehicle that would do everything it could to throw you off. Especially in an emergency braking maneuver, or a hot turn. __________________ You would not understand, this is not how I am... I have become - Comfortably Numb.

09-17-2009, 03:40 PM	#5
mscuddy MODERATOR X Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Next to my still checkin the temp. Posts: 5,444	Don't let these nattering nabobs of negativism stop you from modifying your KZ7550, what you need to find is a Cushman Truckster, cut the back end off, and weld it up to your Kawasaki's frame. The Truckster has sprockets, and cable actuated drum brakes, so you will have top flight equipment when you go with the Cushman mod. Also, you can get many accessories for the truckster, like a cement mixer, mini-wrecker, glof club bag holders, and a neat refrigerated box if you want to sell ice creme to the neighborhood kiddies. I mean, in this economy you might as well get the most out of it... __________________ A gun is a tool, Marian; no better or no worse than any other tool: an axe, a shovel or anything. A gun is as good or as bad as the man using it. Remember that.

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09-17-2009, 05:38 PM	#6
polkat Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 7	Seriously, is a Truckster frame strong enough to hold up to a big Kawasaki? And how would it perform at highway speeds?

09-17-2009, 05:54 PM	#7
pplassm Founding Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 3,875	The only home-brew conversions I've seen involve grafting a quad front end onto the bike. That means you have two wheels up front for cornering and braking. They work pretty well, so I'm told. But I am sure that is not what you're looking for. __________________ Mongo just pawn in game of life.

09-17-2009, 06:11 PM	#8
seruzawa Robby Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: 8501 ft. Posts: 16,803	You might be better off finding an old HD servicar and sticking the Kawasaki motor in it. __________________ I've seen things you people wouldn't believe. Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion. I watched c-beams glitter in the dark near the Tanhauser Gate. All those moments will be lost in time, like tears in the rain.

09-18-2009, 11:35 AM	#9
mscuddy MODERATOR X Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Next to my still checkin the temp. Posts: 5,444	Trucksters were rated at 1000 lbs. with an 8 hp motor. Your old KZ motor should do just fine. The frame was beefy enough for a hydraulic dump-bed option as well. __________________ A gun is a tool, Marian; no better or no worse than any other tool: an axe, a shovel or anything. A gun is as good or as bad as the man using it. Remember that.

09-18-2009, 12:14 PM	#10
sarnali2 Aging Cafe` Racer Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Sittin' down by my window, lookin' at the rain. Posts: 8,132	Why don't you just ride the kawi and find an early Beetle and cut it in half to make a trike out of. I'm talkin' true 70's style here with a 15 foot spring and apehangers nice 6 foot King/Queen Cobra seat... flat black paint with Moon Racing eye's on it..(ask your dad)......If you want total authenticity spray can FTA, FTM, FTN or the catch-all FTW on it in flat white...a nice big "13" on the back....some original 15 inch Cragers with mis-matched tire size's...... Now you're mobbin yo..... __________________ "Carpe` Throttelum -Loud Suits Save Lives" "All the BMW riders in the room, I want you to leave. Now. Out. "