DB30 Trike

[2SlickNick]

I did it again...I purchased another DoodleBug and will have another project. This time I got it for $40.

This one will be a trike. I plan on extending about 5-6" and adding a dumbmy set of handle bars with foot pegs for a child to sit in front of the adult. It will have a live axle (because that is what I have at the house), torque converter, and wheelie bar.

I think my briggs 5hp flattie will be the power plant

This will be for the wife and my youngest child. Then all of us will have mini bikes.

Tomorrow I will assess the DB, since I bought it in a hurry at 11pm.

 

[2SlickNick]

Another pic.

 

[landuse]

And the toys keep rolling in

 

[2SlickNick]

Did some wire wheel work and cutting off unnecessary pieces.

Later tonight when I get back home I will cut in half.
Hopefully I can some 7/8" steel tube somewhere and find some 18mm Od. plugs.

 

[2SlickNick]

Went ahead and cut it

I got some help and info on DB's at OMB. So, I ordered some 7/8" x .083 DOM tubing on eBay and for the slug I ordered 11/16" OD DOM tubing.

I am committed at this point I am just going to stretch it 6". That takes my wheelbase from 36" to 42". My axle is 40 "long so that should be okay.

Pic does show 6" apart.

 

[landuse]

Coming along nicely. I actually like the look of the stretched frame

 

[2SlickNick]

Just a few mock up pics while waiting on parts. I should order hangers, torque converter, and tube in a few days.
Just to save money I think I will go with the band brake set up for now.

Of course sprocket and brake will be centered in frame.

 

[2SlickNick]

Another view

 

[Axx3d]

Looking good man!

Ive wanted to do the same to a mini bike but i do not want to cannibalize any of my old school frames. I'll wait until i find one a bit newer or make my own..

 

[2SlickNick]

Looking good man!

Ive wanted to do the same to a mini bike but i do not want to cannibalize any of my old school frames. I'll wait until i find one a bit newer or make my own..

True.... with these baja doodlebugs being a so abundant it only makes sense to hack on it. Vintage is best left restored.

 

[Hursty]

I have been thinking about a build when im done with the two reworks im on now. i was thinking about a trike. now after seeing this i am sure that is what i want to build.
thanks for the pics they really helped me make up my mind

 

[2SlickNick]

Thanks. I am trying to get this done so I can bring the whole family to a mini bike reunion in Windber pa. On Father's Day.
It seems pretty straight forward when it comes to mini bikes.

 

[2SlickNick]

I decided not to got with an an engine adapter plate for this build. Since I am starting with a torque converter and should not need to adjust the engine side to side.
Looks a little sloppy, but not too bad for using an angle grinder. I ran out if attachments for my dremel, once I get more I can clean up the slots a bit. I am unsure if I will weld/ fill the old slots closed or not; yet.

 

[MancoGX390]

Gunna be the first to say it but 'very slick Nick!'

 

[landuse]

I would just leave the old slots as they are. The engine will pretty much cover them up

 

[2SlickNick]

True...

 

[Axx3d]

True.... with these baja doodlebugs being a so abundant it only makes sense to hack on it. Vintage is best left restored.

Agreed, the baja's are everywhere, cep't they want a arm and a leg for them up here..

N yes on leaving Vintage as is..

 

[2SlickNick]

Well crap...
Parts began arriving and the torque converter setup was one of 'em.
Looks like the TC will not work with this briggs 5hp flattie. Because the camshaft wAll on the side cover of engine obstructs the backplate to the TC.

I will save the engine for a clutch type setup.

Looks like the wife will get a new predator or any other OHV engine might acquire.
No worries though the build will still move on until then.
I work for the next 3 night and have 2 days off after that.
By then I should be welding in hangers, extension, and maybe start on some other things. Like sissy bar and so on...

 

[2SlickNick]

Well, The UPS man rescheduled my delivery of my tubing ( inside plug). It should be here tomorrow (pending weather), then I can weld the extra 6" inches in.

I went ahead and welded in axle hangers. They are approximately the same height as the stock axle was. which gives me a 6-7" ground clearance with the 15" tires. I like the lower look, like on my Doddle Devil with 13" tires ( 4" ground clearance ). I might go with 13" tires in the future.

Just a few picks of rear end mach up.

 

[landuse]

Are you not worried that the axle has so much overhang on either side? What i am trying to say is that the support is going to be far away from the end of the axle, and it might flex a bit too much and bend, especially on bumps