Comments on: Triking Cyclecar with Moto Guzzi Power http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2009/08/17/triking-cyclecar-with-moto-guzzi-power/ Motorcycle News for Positive People Sun, 12 Feb 2012 06:40:33 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Riccardo Gale http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2009/08/17/triking-cyclecar-with-moto-guzzi-power/#comment-299666 Riccardo Gale Tue, 11 Jan 2011 22:47:10 +0000 http://thekneeslider.com/?p=7396#comment-299666 I own an '85 Triking, #34 produced out of +/-170 total production run since 1978. A few comments: it is a BLAST in the wet, but yes, you wouldn't want to get cute with it just as you would not want to get carried away on a motorcycle in the wet. In terms of interior space, it has tons of length but is a bit narrow- having said that I squeezed my +/-270 lb buddy into it and whizzed him around. I am 6' tall and the pedals are right where I'd want them. The passenger side has even more leg room since there's no pedal box. Power from my '84 1000cc (yes, 950cc actually) G5 Guzzi powerplant is adequate, though i woudnn't mind a bit more power. It's geared a bit tall so getting away from a start requires smooth actuation of clutch and throttle, and the 0-20 times won't blow anyone away but once up in the revs a bit it goes like hell. Good for 100+ mph (it feels like 200), a bit more on the later cars with the smaller hub-mounted front fenders. Trikings were (and still are) avaialble as either a kit or factory assembled. Mine was built by the factory and the build quality is perfectly adequate. For the most part the Triking has been reliable, though it always needs little things fixed/replaced etc., as one might expect of such a limited production, entirely hand-built machine! I've had the opportunity to drive and ride a lot of great cars and bikes, but can tell you that nothing is more fun and exhilerating than the Triking. It is such a quick and competent machine, it just blows people away. I live in Larkspur California and can be reached at 415-445-5119 if anyone is interested in a ride, I am always looking for an excuse! I own an ’85 Triking, #34 produced out of +/-170 total production run since 1978. A few comments: it is a BLAST in the wet, but yes, you wouldn’t want to get cute with it just as you would not want to get carried away on a motorcycle in the wet. In terms of interior space, it has tons of length but is a bit narrow- having said that I squeezed my +/-270 lb buddy into it and whizzed him around. I am 6′ tall and the pedals are right where I’d want them. The passenger side has even more leg room since there’s no pedal box. Power from my ’84 1000cc (yes, 950cc actually) G5 Guzzi powerplant is adequate, though i woudnn’t mind a bit more power. It’s geared a bit tall so getting away from a start requires smooth actuation of clutch and throttle, and the 0-20 times won’t blow anyone away but once up in the revs a bit it goes like hell. Good for 100+ mph (it feels like 200), a bit more on the later cars with the smaller hub-mounted front fenders.

Trikings were (and still are) avaialble as either a kit or factory assembled. Mine was built by the factory and the build quality is perfectly adequate. For the most part the Triking has been reliable, though it always needs little things fixed/replaced etc., as one might expect of such a limited production, entirely hand-built machine!

I’ve had the opportunity to drive and ride a lot of great cars and bikes, but can tell you that nothing is more fun and exhilerating than the Triking. It is such a quick and competent machine, it just blows people away.

I live in Larkspur California and can be reached at 415-445-5119 if anyone is interested in a ride, I am always looking for an excuse!

]]> By: Duncan http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2009/08/17/triking-cyclecar-with-moto-guzzi-power/#comment-276651 Duncan Fri, 21 May 2010 00:05:41 +0000 http://thekneeslider.com/?p=7396#comment-276651 A bit late chiming in here, but I was intrigued by Hoyt's comment about the 90 degree looking better than the 45 degree engines sometimes seen on replicas. I won't argue with his assessment that the combination works on the Triking, but I find that comment ironic in light of the configuration of the great majority of engines used on Morgans. Our 1936 Morgan has a 50 degree Matchless MX2 engine, and I believe wider-angle engines (JAP LTOWZ, at 60 degrees) were only found on 1931 through 1934-ish 3-speeder Morgans. A bit late chiming in here, but I was intrigued by Hoyt’s comment about the 90 degree looking better than the 45 degree engines sometimes seen on replicas. I won’t argue with his assessment that the combination works on the Triking, but I find that comment ironic in light of the configuration of the great majority of engines used on Morgans. Our 1936 Morgan has a 50 degree Matchless MX2 engine, and I believe wider-angle engines (JAP LTOWZ, at 60 degrees) were only found on 1931 through 1934-ish 3-speeder Morgans.

]]> By: Scotduke http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2009/08/17/triking-cyclecar-with-moto-guzzi-power/#comment-257985 Scotduke Tue, 18 Aug 2009 13:13:35 +0000 http://thekneeslider.com/?p=7396#comment-257985 Benjamin - you sure you'd want to go the blower route? How much power do you think you'd need? The power to weight ratio of these trikes is already pretty good and I was told they're very lively as they are already, especially in the wet. A cheaper and less complex option would be to go for the 1100, fuel injected motor from a Guzzi Sport. It'd also mean you wouldn't need additional cooling for the blower. Benjamin – you sure you’d want to go the blower route? How much power do you think you’d need? The power to weight ratio of these trikes is already pretty good and I was told they’re very lively as they are already, especially in the wet. A cheaper and less complex option would be to go for the 1100, fuel injected motor from a Guzzi Sport. It’d also mean you wouldn’t need additional cooling for the blower.

]]> By: todd http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2009/08/17/triking-cyclecar-with-moto-guzzi-power/#comment-257942 todd Tue, 18 Aug 2009 03:42:18 +0000 http://thekneeslider.com/?p=7396#comment-257942 Benjamin, the Kneeslider already covered Guzzi supercharges here: http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2005/08/21/moto-guzzi-superchargers/ -todd Benjamin, the Kneeslider already covered Guzzi supercharges here:
http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2005/08/21/moto-guzzi-superchargers/

-todd

]]> By: Benjamin http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2009/08/17/triking-cyclecar-with-moto-guzzi-power/#comment-257939 Benjamin Tue, 18 Aug 2009 02:49:27 +0000 http://thekneeslider.com/?p=7396#comment-257939 You can get a small V-located supercharger for Guzzi twins can't you? You can get a small V-located supercharger for Guzzi twins can’t you?

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