Tadpole Trike Steering Question

leopardpm

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May 26, 2008
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Hi! new to the forum. I am interested in a very low cost method of steering the front two wheels of a tadpole (2 front, 1 rear) trike/cart. I found a go-kart steering package on the net for around $70 which includes spindles ($10-15 each), tie rods, steering shaft and a wheel... but would like to figure out something cheaper. Anyone got any ideas or have resources to less expensive pieces/parts (like spindles)?

Thanks for helping
 
If you can weld and cut steel, get junk bikes and use the headtube/fork assemblies.
 
Howdy,

I just picked-up a discarded bike trailer (for kids). It uses stubs rather than a through-axle.

Check freecycle .org, craigslist, etc. (USA)
 
See the Tricruiser2000.com website to see how a trike can use some alloy plate and threaded rod to steer quite well!
otherDoc
 
Thanks for your help guys! I got a few ideas and a maniac welding friend - the first prototype steering will be with kingpins/spindles and steered with a joystick with a 4" travel left or right for full turning of the wheels.... depending on how smooth/how much vibration at speed/etc might have to move on to other types but this method allows for: low-cost, good ackerman steering control, and a simple way that either person can steer from a side-by-side setup tadpole trike. I am trying to get the total 'TriKart' down to less than $150 total cost so I can build more than a few of them for friends/neighbors and ALOT of kids. I have about 15 low power E-vehicles (stand up scooters from 250watt to 1000watt, Electric gokarts (600w), electric ATV (600w), and even an old golf cart which I currently have in pieces because I can't figure out how to re-hookup the wiring on the dang engine (4 posts in a 'Y' configuration, somehow positive and negative switches for reverse but I hooked up a battery and it shorted out so I got scared and have left it be for a while... maybe someone knows how?)

Was trying to build karts out of PVC because I don't know how to weld, but it ends up being a bit expensive and confusing for someone like me who refuses to draw things out too detailed! The PVC idea is a good one though, but some of the main frame pipes need added reinforcement to prevent bowing.

Here is something of a prototype, will keep ya'll posted as things get more refined: the front wheels are 12" kid bike wheels, the rear wheel assembly is from an old scooter....
 
ngocthach1130 said:
Loving the mismatched front wheels btw.
I want to make sure that no one mistakes this contraption for a commercially produced vehicle....
 
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