[Bob Witte]

Hi Folks:



Let me introduce myself. I've been lurking for some while and now it is time for me to sign on & join in. I'm Bob Witte, President of The Trinity Trike here in Hudson, FL (just NW of Tampa). I've just laid my hands on a sweet 82 GL500. It will be converted into a true trike very soon using our newly developed design. It is the 5th trike I have built for myself over the last 4 years and it will hopefully stay with me for a good while. Sadly for me, it's predecessors never lasted more than a couple months in my garage before they were sold off!



This time, I selected the donor based upon my preference. And it is the ride I intend to keep. I've always had a soft spot for Honda's and the Moto Guzzi's -- so what's not to like with a GL500?? Since most of us like photos, I've posted a picture of it in it's "before" condtion on our website:



http://www.thetrinitytrike.com/cruiser/ShaftDrives/index.html



I've got a lot of ideas beyond just converting the drive system to a trike. So here's my first question. I would very much prefer a matched set of wheels with wire wheels being my preference. Does anyone know of a direct replacement (or close to it) wire wheel from another ride that will fit the GL500? TIA!!

Bob Witte

www.TheTrinityTrike.com

 

[Bob Witte]

Welcome from Arkansas. Nice looking trikes

. Isnt a 500cc a bit small for trike conversion.

Not at all. We have built a couple dozen 250cc trikes including the CF Moto automatics, although we no longer do the latter. Poke around in our "Roadster" section for examples. ( http://www.thetrinitytrike.com/roadster/index.html )



Bob Witte

http://www.TheTrinityTrike.com

 

[Bob Witte]

I don't know of any wheel that can be swapped out with the CX's... I've seen people take the center of our wheels and make them work with spoked rims somehow, or you could go with the Euro rims if you're just looking for something different. It won't work on just a non-euro, but since you have to fabricate the whole thing, then you can make it fit I'd imagine... I'm quite enthused to see how this turns out, not a huge fan of trikes, but I love these bikes and seeing what can be done to them.

Thanks for the guidance. I'm shooting for some kind of matched set without having to spend more on the wheels than I do on the trike conversion itself.



Mine is the first GL500 I ever rode, and it was "love at first ride" for me. I was attracted by the look of it, but the feel of the ride was even better!



As to trikes, I never thought I'd prefer trikes to two wheeling, but like so many others, that's exactly where I'm at now. I much prefer the comfort, stability & safety of the third wheel! Even though it could be months before we finish my project (my ride is a low priority of course!), I have no great desire to take the GL500 out as a two wheeler.



Bob Witte

http:/www.TheTrinityTrike.com

 

[Bob Witte]

I like it. I used to own a GZ250 and never thought I would see one converted to trike. I applaud the open mindedness you obviously possess. Looking forward to your progress with the shaft drive conversion.



I do not know of any wire wheel that will fit the GL500, or why anyone would prefer wire wheels. But then I have suffered 2 tube tire blow outs at speed, (on a Moto Guzzi, BTW)... something I would really rather not experience again.

Our GZ250 conversion works great and has been hot for us this year. So far we've built 14 of them, all going to MSF schools around the country.



Why wire?? I just like wire wheels on a bike and the wide whitewalls I plan on using look better with wire wheels IMO. Failing that I might just chrome the front and try to match it as best I can with a similar car wheel -- there are gazillions out there to choose from.





Bob Witte

http:/www.TheTrinityTrike.com

 

[Bob Witte]

If you just need a front wheel than that part is easy. The rear wheel is where a swap gets complicated. It can be done though with some early GL1000 wheels.

Thanks, I'll check them out!

 

[Bob Witte]

50 HP is almost a Dodge Neon, actually what takes all the power on some trikes is trying to drive large, wide automotive wheels on the rear.

True enough. That's why we DON'T use such tires on our conversions. Several of the converters use those stubby rear axles and have to make up the wheel track with John Deere type tires. I suppose to some they look cool, but the big fat tires make the trike they are on handle like a John Deere tractor which gets very old very fast.



I've already sized my replacement rear tires to be no larger than 19570R14's and very likely will be 18570R14's assuming I can find the wide whitewalls in that size.

 

[Bob Witte]

If you just need a front wheel than that part is easy. The rear wheel is where a swap gets complicated. It can be done though with some early GL1000 wheels.

As it turns out, you are quite correct and thanks to the vast eBay market place, I'm able to give more of an answer to my own question about the substitution of the front wheel. I have as yet, not actually verified the information, but intend to! Searching thru there, I discovered that the following wheels apparently are a direct replacement for each other:



GL500 81-82

GL500i 81-82

GL1000i 81-82

CB650C 1981

CB750C 81-82

CB750F 80-82

CB900F 81-82

CB900C 1980



Hope this helps someone else!



Bob Witte

TheTrinityTrike.com

 

[Bob Witte]

I hate to break it to you, but I guess someone's done a CX trike, the cops of all things...

Someone just posted that ad on here, never knew someone already built one, looks sweet!

I believe that was done by an outfit called Trident. It was most certainly set up as a meter maid unit, with lower gearing and a very sickly top speed. Handling was also a bit squirlly because the bike needs a longer wheel base.



Bob Witte

TheTrinityTrike.com