Well done, man! Well done. Even if you aren't quite as happy with it as you hoped for I'm happy for you. 😁 I would watch another 14 episodes of this and then some. Waiting for the next video. Thank you!
@@paulwelkinsdiy Very nice result, and you won't spend your life like so many people, wondering, "but what if I had... " I'm still in the "development phase" of my own "dream trike." I am less concerned with weight, and more interested in maximizing usable volume and replaceability of components. Again - way to go!
This whole series was enthralling. The sad part of this is that we should already have vehicles like this on the road. At any rate, thank you for sharing this with the world. You are one of the doers.
I used them on the Lexan wind screen, but not on the fluted plastic panels. It doesn't rattle so much. It's the aftermarket muffler I used in an effort to save a few pounds from the original muffler.
60+ mph! Yeah, in a little scooter that you built from scratch? I imagine that looks like 160 mph from the seat! Well done! Very cool! With gas prices going up every day, I bet there’s going to be “makers” all over the country cutting up old bikes and welding them back together with an old motorcycle or scooter of some sort. Your videos are more inspirational than you think. I’ve been watching them for awhile now. Just as casual as can be. If it doesn’t work, try something else. If it doesn’t fit, cut some off or add it on! 🖖
Watched from start. Thourly enjoyed every minute so much that I am considering my own with round tube and fiberglass body and an inline Honda twin. Thanks for everything.
It is the very thing we should be driving everywhere. It’s similar to electrathon America cars running that are electric. It’s always a power to weight ratio. Keep up the good work.
Thank you Paul! My 3w project has been sitting undisturbed for most of it's 11 years (up to rolling chasis! But weird, historical front end needs a full rebuild), hearing that this has been a 40 year project for you gives me hope that I'll get there, too.
You Sir, Have Accomplished Something Many People (Including Myself) Could Only Dream Of Doing! Keep Up The Great Work, And Hopefully Inspire Others To Achieve Greater Things!!!!!
The wonderful and transportable prototype of vehicle always makes one person able to bring the compact of portables, portable such as plates, personal items. Congratulations for this good craft.
It's too bad that you are not satisfied with this project. It's pretty neato. I enjoyed the video series and your process. The material selections inspired some of my own projects. Please, keep being creative, building and inspiring others.
Wow your project turned out incredibly I own a 1990 pulse Autocycle made in Michigan in 1990 body designed by beady of aircraft fame Blessings from the mountains of Southern Oregon
Wow I'm really impressed! My father's dream has always been to weld his own frame and make something light and fast. Looking forward to showing him your build.
Thanks Paul, it's been very enjoyable with lot's of good take-aways and insights and very similar to something I've been wanting to build for about 30 years.
Still even with the shortcomings you mentioned it looks like it would still be fun for short hops just around town or in the neighborhood and if nothing else at least you can look at it and say" I built it"
You would've made it a longer wheelbase? Man, the short wheelbase was just about my favorite part of this build. Everybody and their mother does a long wheelbase, a feet forward reverse trike was _new_
The concept is very good and your execution definitely get an A for effort! I have been thinking about this concept for about 20 years, since I was a child. It was mainly a reaction to seeing men or women sitting by themselves in some behemoth truck or SUV, dragging their fat ass around in a vehicle that could hold ten people yet 90% of the time it was just themselves. Then The USA fighting wars basically for the House of Saud and oil dependency. Anyway those were some of my major motivations. My idea was for a two seater with climate control, windshield wipers and more safety (10 mph bumpers front and rear) as well as wider wheels especially at rear for safety, traction and the advantage of the gyroscopic stabilization effect they would give at a cost to unsprung mass. But you have made yours fully actualized while mine is still in my imagination… so despite my better design…props to you for getting you’d on the road. After all of that you really should do one more installment of it’s mileage at 85mph, 45 mph and stop ‘n go 30 mph. Best, R. C. Christian
Thanks Paul! I'm a long time California Commuter fan too. I've assumed that this would be beyond my abilities to try and build it. Your project confirmed that assumption. I've long wondered why a major motorcycle manufacturer hasn't introduced a fuel-efficient, aerodynamic reverse trike. Elio certainly demonstrated public interest although that was at an unrealistically low retail price target. Maybe this could be the way to save Harley Davidson. Obviously it doesn't reflect Harley's image so they might want to introduce it under a different brand name.
GM in the 80s came out with an enclosed leaning teardrop delta prototype claiming 200 mph. I saw it at the Vancoover BC worlds fair. The tech and knowledge has been around for decades, but industry will always cater to the consumers desires first, unless you're a billionair like Elon. Im seeing Teslas everywhere now. Nice idea turning the auto industry toward electric. Too bad coal still powers most turbines. Maybe more nuclear plants? Like we need more of that. Wasn't three accidents enough?
14 episodes titled Fuel Efficient... and we still don't know. I like the way you have talked us through the issues and shared the things that didn't work so well. Maybe others will pick up where you left off, with a longer wheelbase, wider (bigger) version. I love those old Belly-Tank cars and early homebuilt racers... there is definitely a future for a modern version, lightweight, bike engine, reverse trike if one can be made that is safe and comfortable (practical) to use.
@@paulwelkinsdiy Thank you very much, Paul! That means a lot coming from a creative and inventive person like yourself. 😊 Sadly I didn't sell any. I had interest but that was as far as it went. I learnt a lot, both about the cargo bike and the market. I think the concept is still solid, but people are more happy to pay for a hire-purchase-lease on their SUV than pay for a practical bicycle. I also had a lot of enquiries about carrying kids on it, and it wasn't designed for that. Hopefully, one day, I'll build another one and maybe even more than one. Thanks again for all the videos. I really enjoy your tinkering. Such creativity. 😎👍🏻
Hey Paul congrats on the finished build. I enjoyed watching you build this rig and would watch you build another with your improvements. I do understand your feelings of not wanting to build another one. But hey you never know what the future holds for your construction tablet.
Way to go paul even with the shortcomings you found with it it still looks pretty nice maybe adding some steering dampeners would help with the steering issues if you ever got another wild hair to make another
It's never exactly the way you imagine it. Especially with a project that had so much design from scratch. Regardless of the original intent, the finished product turned out awesome!
My friend, your reverse trike project is very good. I watched the entire playlist, I just didn't see you talk about putting it in reverse. If you did, could you show us how you did it? I will be very happy to be able to watch another video, and congratulations. 
That style of trike is called a 'tadpole' trike. (Fatter across the front wheels, narrow tail.) One wheel in front/two in back is called a 'delta' style trike. Nice build! In Michigan, at least, that would be considered a motorcycle for licensing and insurance purposes, as it's too fast to be a scooter/moped.
Its often frustrating to realize that the first attempt at bringing one of your ideas into reality is just the first step in a long iterative process where you cobble together the same thing (hopefully) with less obvious flaws each time. Few have the obsessive desire in them to continue that for months, years or even decades with other distractions (aka life) happening at the same time with almost no rewards and little recognition. Having a curious and inventive mind is both a curse and a blessing. I hope your next projects are more satisfactory to you. I had fun watching you try some new things with this and not totally play it safe at every step.
If you want more straight line stability maybe try to apply some caster angle on the front suspention uprights. On cars it's often between 5 and 7 degrees. Also some slight toe-in on the front wheels. 0.5 to 1 degree? Then 60-70-80mph will feel stable. I would pesonally have tried using a small diesel engine instead of a gasoline engine, that would improve mileage by at least 25% if not more. Diesels also have low-rev torque and can pull longer final drive ratios. Maybe you can source one from an old 1cilinder generator? It's a fun build. It reminds me of a Messerschmidt KR200. Very similar concept.
Yes, the good old Messerschmidt. Way ahead of the times. Electric would be the way to go on a vehicle like this. I've been waiting for a GOOD enclosed commercial trike to come out on the market. They're getting close...
@@paulwelkinsdiy There are phenomenal velomobiles out in the market, they are so aerodynamic that you could easily be going freeway speeds with a 2000W (~3 horsepower) motor.
Have you ever seen those leaning enclosed motorcycles with stabilisers that pop out when stopping or going around corners or going slow. I watched a guy video of him building one from a old moped it was really cool but a lot of work. I i think they build them in Germany I've seen a few over the years on the road but they are very expensive to buy.
Paul it would be so cool if you made a Coloplast house boat. I've thought about the idea of a 4 piece hull like your first but just connecting 4 if them. The back two just being rectangular. Put a platform on it and built a small Coroplast shelter on it. Love the builds man!
Greatest video and I am glad it’s made finally for bucket list! you’re hilarious and keeps me laughing thought it was going to be electric powered,but that’s too much lol GREAT JOB
I thoroughly enjoyed the ride. Looks like a fun toy to play with on a boring day. I enjoy your ingenuity. It could use a better sounding muffler but other than that it’s great. Your projects are always entertaining. Maybe a boat next?
Yea sucks it didn't turn out the way you wanted. Hope it doesn't eat at you. Longer wheel base with the wide body and independent front suspension would make that thing 👌
The twitchy steering us fixable by using a gearing system on it, making you have to twist the handles more so as to turn the same amount. Main objective should be cruising speed, and doing a U turn could be a slight inconvenience (as it is on cars)
Well thanks for sharing, it's been interesting to follow along even if it didn't turn out exactly how you wanted it to. Maybe others can look at this project and improve on it who knows.
Well done, man! Well done. Even if you aren't quite as happy with it as you hoped for I'm happy for you. 😁 I would watch another 14 episodes of this and then some. Waiting for the next video. Thank you!
Coming from you, thank you! You remind me of my cousin. I showed off his track wheel chair he made for his dad.
@@paulwelkinsdiy Very nice result, and you won't spend your life like so many people, wondering, "but what if I had... "
I'm still in the "development phase" of my own "dream trike." I am less concerned with weight, and more interested in maximizing usable volume and replaceability of components.
Again - way to go!
@@MarcillaSmith would like to see that :)
I love it when you show us that not all engineering requires a bank of super computers. Well done Paul!!!!
A good engineer friend to bounce off ideas helps, that be Bob Stuart.
No need to be so hard on yourself! thanks for sharing the build, you 're an inspiration to me!
Congratulations on the final episode of filming and completing your 40-year dream build. It’s been interesting to watch each episode.
Done and dusted . It turned out great . good work.
Honestly?
That thing?
Is, the shit.
Thanks for building it.
Bravo, sir.
Bravo.
What an inspiring, build.
Cheers to you.
loved the series. Thanks for sharing.
This whole series was enthralling. The sad part of this is that we should already have vehicles like this on the road. At any rate, thank you for sharing this with the world. You are one of the doers.
I'm guessing there's a pretty limited market for them and the government probably makes it quite difficult to even bring something like this to market
Impressive and well done...
I've been watching all this time for the fuel efficient part. You have one more video to do.
The more comments I get like this the more I'm thinking of doing just that. Thank Mass
im guessing same as the 185 motorcycle due to weight and extra tire lol
Rubber/foam washers massively help with issues like vibration and sound. And saves a lot of time tightening up nuts after use
I used them on the Lexan wind screen, but not on the fluted plastic panels. It doesn't rattle so much. It's the aftermarket muffler I used in an effort to save a few pounds from the original muffler.
60+ mph! Yeah, in a little scooter that you built from scratch? I imagine that looks like 160 mph from the seat! Well done! Very cool! With gas prices going up every day, I bet there’s going to be “makers” all over the country cutting up old bikes and welding them back together with an old motorcycle or scooter of some sort. Your videos are more inspirational than you think. I’ve been watching them for awhile now. Just as casual as can be. If it doesn’t work, try something else. If it doesn’t fit, cut some off or add it on! 🖖
Watched from start. Thourly enjoyed every minute so much that I am considering my own with round tube and fiberglass body and an inline Honda twin. Thanks for everything.
It is the very thing we should be driving everywhere.
It’s similar to electrathon America cars running that are electric. It’s always a power to weight ratio.
Keep up the good work.
Agree with others, I would watch many more episodes of this kind of vehicle and development. Thanks for getting it done... I've been waiting!
Thank you Paul! My 3w project has been sitting undisturbed for most of it's 11 years (up to rolling chasis! But weird, historical front end needs a full rebuild), hearing that this has been a 40 year project for you gives me hope that I'll get there, too.
Honestly this little thing looks fun to take around the block, seriously.
You Sir, Have Accomplished Something Many People (Including Myself) Could Only Dream Of Doing! Keep Up The Great Work, And Hopefully Inspire Others To Achieve Greater Things!!!!!
Always worth the watch thanks again for your time Paul
That was fun looking car.. hope the angel whisper and says.. "make it 4 wheeler" that would be a lot more amazing
Thanks for bringing us along for the ride!
We watched them all, and it was well worth the time. Thanks for your efforts.
The wonderful and transportable prototype of vehicle always makes one person able to bring the compact of portables, portable such as plates, personal items. Congratulations for this good craft.
You are amazing at your work!! I don't mind all of the videos that bring me to your finished product! I love your style, my bro!👍👍👍
It's too bad that you are not satisfied with this project. It's pretty neato. I enjoyed the video series and your process. The material selections inspired some of my own projects. Please, keep being creative, building and inspiring others.
Wow your project turned out incredibly I own a 1990 pulse Autocycle made in Michigan in 1990 body designed by beady of aircraft fame Blessings from the mountains of Southern Oregon
I really enjoyed this. Can't wait for the next project.
fantastic piece of work! well done on keeping us captivated by your craft.
Thanks Michael.
Yes well done Paul, what an awesome project, giving me ideas for doing something similar. Cheers !
Wow I'm really impressed! My father's dream has always been to weld his own frame and make something light and fast. Looking forward to showing him your build.
We enjoyed all of the videos. Thanks for sharing.
Wouldn't have missed all fourteen! Neat project and always intrigued when you start another. C'ya on the next one.
Ok I am waiting for the plans to be for sale! Awesome job.
All that blood, sweat, & tears - WOW👍💨
Putting us through. . .?
Paul, your videos are very therapeutic.
Enjoyed every second of it 👍🏻
Love all your projects 😃
I really enjoyed these episodes. I was even longing for the next one. Thanks for making them!
Been great following you on this. An inspiration. I've been dreaming for some years of doing something similar with e-bike components.
Thanks Paul, it's been very enjoyable with lot's of good take-aways and insights and very similar to something I've been wanting to build for about 30 years.
Still even with the shortcomings you mentioned it looks like it would still be fun for short hops just around town or in the neighborhood and if nothing else at least you can look at it and say" I built it"
What an excellent piece of home engineering, highly innovative. 👍
You would've made it a longer wheelbase? Man, the short wheelbase was just about my favorite part of this build. Everybody and their mother does a long wheelbase, a feet forward reverse trike was _new_
The concept is very good and your execution definitely get an A for effort!
I have been thinking about this concept for about 20 years, since I was a child. It was mainly a reaction to seeing men or women sitting by themselves in some behemoth truck or SUV, dragging their fat ass around in a vehicle that could hold ten people yet 90% of the time it was just themselves. Then The USA fighting wars basically for the House of Saud and oil dependency. Anyway those were some of my major motivations.
My idea was for a two seater with climate control, windshield wipers and more safety (10 mph bumpers front and rear) as well as wider wheels especially at rear for safety, traction and the advantage of the gyroscopic stabilization effect they would give at a cost to unsprung mass.
But you have made yours fully actualized while mine is still in my imagination… so despite my better design…props to you for getting you’d on the road.
After all of that you really should do one more installment of it’s mileage at 85mph, 45 mph and stop ‘n go 30 mph.
Best,
R. C. Christian
Great job Paul!
Thanks Paul! I'm a long time California Commuter fan too. I've assumed that this would be beyond my abilities to try and build it. Your project confirmed that assumption. I've long wondered why a major motorcycle manufacturer hasn't introduced a fuel-efficient, aerodynamic reverse trike. Elio certainly demonstrated public interest although that was at an unrealistically low retail price target. Maybe this could be the way to save Harley Davidson. Obviously it doesn't reflect Harley's image so they might want to introduce it under a different brand name.
GM in the 80s came out with an enclosed leaning teardrop delta prototype claiming 200 mph. I saw it at the Vancoover BC worlds fair. The tech and knowledge has been around for decades, but industry will always cater to the consumers desires first, unless you're a billionair like Elon. Im seeing Teslas everywhere now. Nice idea turning the auto industry toward electric. Too bad coal still powers most turbines. Maybe more nuclear plants? Like we need more of that. Wasn't three accidents enough?
Outstanding job Paul, thank you for sharing.
14 episodes titled Fuel Efficient... and we still don't know. I like the way you have talked us through the issues and shared the things that didn't work so well. Maybe others will pick up where you left off, with a longer wheelbase, wider (bigger) version. I love those old Belly-Tank cars and early homebuilt racers... there is definitely a future for a modern version, lightweight, bike engine, reverse trike if one can be made that is safe and comfortable (practical) to use.
Fun and interesting, all 14 episodes! Keep ’em coming!
Thanks for the lovely episodes. Can’t wait for more! 😎👍🏻👍🏻
I loved your Carrygo cargo bike Jocke. Did you sell many?
@@paulwelkinsdiy Thank you very much, Paul! That means a lot coming from a creative and inventive person like yourself. 😊 Sadly I didn't sell any. I had interest but that was as far as it went. I learnt a lot, both about the cargo bike and the market. I think the concept is still solid, but people are more happy to pay for a hire-purchase-lease on their SUV than pay for a practical bicycle. I also had a lot of enquiries about carrying kids on it, and it wasn't designed for that.
Hopefully, one day, I'll build another one and maybe even more than one.
Thanks again for all the videos. I really enjoy your tinkering. Such creativity. 😎👍🏻
Finally.
Thank you, Paul.
After a 16 hour day, first thing I'm watching.
Can't.
Wait.
Total admiration for your creativity, moxie, humor, problem solving, economy, and charm. Next on the bucket list?
Thanks Lee, Next up, I electrified my Coro Speed boat. Vid coming soon.
Been watch you for years…. Man after my own heart !! A true builder, renaissance man !! Hava great life
bub !!
Sorry you put us through this. I loved it.
Hey Paul congrats on the finished build. I enjoyed watching you build this rig and would watch you build another with your improvements.
I do understand your feelings of not wanting to build another one. But hey you never know what the future holds for your construction tablet.
Success is in conceiving and constructing it!
Way to go paul even with the shortcomings you found with it it still looks pretty nice maybe adding some steering dampeners would help with the steering issues if you ever got another wild hair to make another
Agree, a motorcycle steering damper might do wonders!
I really hope he makes another one I've got three motorcycle carcasses I could use to make one and his ideas get my old idea box firing
It's never exactly the way you imagine it. Especially with a project that had so much design from scratch. Regardless of the original intent, the finished product turned out awesome!
Once painted it will be wonderfull and more efficient !
Awesome. Really love the Velcro panels. Thanks for sharing your out-of-the-box way of solving problems. 👍👍😎👍👍
You never gave up, very impressive, live the dream....very best wishes from Ireland
Thank you for finishing this!
This would be a much nicer ride, and also be considerate of others, if it had a decent exhaust muffler instead of a straight pipe.
Very cool. Next time I wreck my Helix i might build one of these.
My friend, your reverse trike project is very good. I watched the entire playlist, I just didn't see you talk about putting it in reverse. If you did, could you show us how you did it? I will be very happy to be able to watch another video, and congratulations.

Ive enjoyed all 14 vdo's and Im looking forward to your next creation
That style of trike is called a 'tadpole' trike. (Fatter across the front wheels, narrow tail.) One wheel in front/two in back is called a 'delta' style trike. Nice build! In Michigan, at least, that would be considered a motorcycle for licensing and insurance purposes, as it's too fast to be a scooter/moped.
Washington state has a separate license for trike now.
Nice follow through! Thanks for sharing
Its often frustrating to realize that the first attempt at bringing one of your ideas into reality is just the first step in a long iterative process where you cobble together the same thing (hopefully) with less obvious flaws each time. Few have the obsessive desire in them to continue that for months, years or even decades with other distractions (aka life) happening at the same time with almost no rewards and little recognition. Having a curious and inventive mind is both a curse and a blessing. I hope your next projects are more satisfactory to you. I had fun watching you try some new things with this and not totally play it safe at every step.
So good, Paul!!! Loved each episode. Keep ‘em coming!!!
Awesome!! Thank you for sharing your journey making of making the reverse trike.
Your projects are always the best!
You're Awesome ✌🏼😊👍🏼🌟💯❤
If you want more straight line stability maybe try to apply some caster angle on the front suspention uprights. On cars it's often between 5 and 7 degrees. Also some slight toe-in on the front wheels. 0.5 to 1 degree? Then 60-70-80mph will feel stable.
I would pesonally have tried using a small diesel engine instead of a gasoline engine, that would improve mileage by at least 25% if not more.
Diesels also have low-rev torque and can pull longer final drive ratios.
Maybe you can source one from an old 1cilinder generator?
It's a fun build. It reminds me of a Messerschmidt KR200. Very similar concept.
Yes, the good old Messerschmidt. Way ahead of the times. Electric would be the way to go on a vehicle like this. I've been waiting for a GOOD enclosed commercial trike to come out on the market. They're getting close...
@@paulwelkinsdiy There are phenomenal velomobiles out in the market, they are so aerodynamic that you could easily be going freeway speeds with a 2000W (~3 horsepower) motor.
Looks really great, although I think the minimal muffler would make my ears unhappy on a long drive.
Dude this thing is awesome. Great work Paul and I liked all the episodes FYI.
Magnificent! Keen to see what's more worth your time
I'm electrifying my Coro Speed Boat with a sea worthy 45lb thrust trolling motor.
Have you ever seen those leaning enclosed motorcycles with stabilisers that pop out when stopping or going around corners or going slow. I watched a guy video of him building one from a old moped it was really cool but a lot of work. I i think they build them in Germany I've seen a few over the years on the road but they are very expensive to buy.
Yes I have. I've drawn up many versions of that design, but still I like the looks, stability and simplicity of the reverse trike.
Love the stuff you cook up :) 1 or up to 14 parts :)
Thank you, I really enjoyed the series!
Eagerly waiting for the next project.
Paul it would be so cool if you made a Coloplast house boat. I've thought about the idea of a 4 piece hull like your first but just connecting 4 if them. The back two just being rectangular. Put a platform on it and built a small Coroplast shelter on it. Love the builds man!
Very cool! So you would suggest if someone was going to build one, use IFS, make it longer (perhaps room for 2?) and wider? Interesting!!!
Greatest video and I am glad it’s made finally for bucket list! you’re hilarious and keeps me laughing thought it was going to be electric powered,but that’s too much lol GREAT JOB
I'll wait 'till the electric model is announced..
great build start to finish, it came out great! Next maybe electric version with tilt?
All in all a very nice project Paul, thanks for sharing.
That was lots of fun! Thank you 🙌
I thoroughly enjoyed the ride. Looks like a fun toy to play with on a boring day. I enjoy your ingenuity. It could use a better sounding muffler but other than that it’s great. Your projects are always entertaining. Maybe a boat next?
Yea sucks it didn't turn out the way you wanted. Hope it doesn't eat at you. Longer wheel base with the wide body and independent front suspension would make that thing 👌
The twitchy steering us fixable by using a gearing system on it, making you have to twist the handles more so as to turn the same amount. Main objective should be cruising speed, and doing a U turn could be a slight inconvenience (as it is on cars)
Well thanks for sharing, it's been interesting to follow along even if it didn't turn out exactly how you wanted it to. Maybe others can look at this project and improve on it who knows.
Awesome as always, thanks for sharing!!
You done really well!
I love it ! sounds great too !
Fantastic Paul!!
Very nice build very creative
Super cool. Great series.
Muy buen proyecto, en verdad me encantó este vehículo 👍👍👍 Saludos desde Costa Rica 🇨🇷🇨🇷🇨🇷
oh PAWaaauuuul... you know you have to report on its MPG's. We all didn't sit through all these wonderful episodes and not know what the outcome is.
It certainly looks good!
Wow! That is impressive! I'm curious, did you consider using electric hub motors instead of an engine?