Honda VT500 reverse trike! Help with engine?

[Mike_Foyle]

Hi guys,

I'm in the process of building a reverse trike powered by a Honda VT500 motorcycle. The whole point in this project is to keep it cheap and it's really more for the experience than anything else, I'm hoping to learn a thing or two along the way!

Basically, I was given (for free!!) the back end of a honda vt500 motorcycle. It's been sat around in the rain for some time but I have cleaned it up and it turns over without any problems when hooked up to a battery. I do not have much experience with motorcycles though, more cars really... And I was hoping you could help me work out exactly what I need to get this engine running. Here is a list of what I got when I was given the bike:

Frame
Engine + Starter + Loom
Gearbox
Clutch
Radiator + cooling system (probably needs replacing)
Rear Wheel connected up to drive shaft etc
Rear Drum brake
Carb (In really bad condition)

So far I have bought:

New Carb in good condition
Choke cable assembly
Battery
Full Exhaust
New Spark Plugs
New Oil Filter

The specific bits I'm confused about are those that make up the ignition system. I cannot see any kind of distributor or coil pack, let along ignition leads. Where abouts would you normally expect to find them?

Also what else would I need to get this thing running? Any ideas?

For those that are interested, here is a rough idea of what it looks like at the mo (motorcycle is not fixed in there yet, this is just a mock up to see how it looks.. still needs a HUGE amount of work!!!)

Mike

 

[Doc Sprocket]

That's going to be really cool. I'm sorry I don't have any info for you, but I had to comment on your idea. My buddy has an '85 VT750 that we were talking about doing exactly the same thing to. Good luch, and keep us posted!

 

[Mike_Foyle]

That's going to be really cool. I'm sorry I don't have any info for you, but I had to comment on your idea. My buddy has an '85 VT750 that we were talking about doing exactly the same thing to. Good luch, and keep us posted!

Thanks man,

I think it's going to look badass, like something from mad max lol. How safe / functional it will be remains to be seen haha.

I need to do alot of welding and build up some mounts to actually sit the frame on because it's not properly held together at this stage. But I figured it might be a good idea to get the engine running first! Where it's an old bike I've got a feeling it's going to be quite challenging!