How To Build An Electric Leaning Reverse Trike

How To Build An Electric Leaning Reverse Trike. Get the plans: www.resystech.com/cyber-trike...
In this video I build a custom electric leaning reverse trike. Get the best of both worlds and hit the trail with this powerful electric reverse trike. With the leaning ability and twice the torque of an avg sport motorcycle, and double the traction and stability at the front wheels, you'll be cornering faster and can easily navigate around obstacles on the trail. This machine rides like a motorcycle, but handles better.
It's technically a (Frankenstein) conversion, using a modified late 1980's Suzuki 250 Quadrunner chassis, and Yamaha Banshee hubs, brakes, and steering knuckles, though a Banshee or Raptor chassis would be better because it would require less modification to adapt to a leaning suspension and incorporate a swingarm (I used what I already had for parts to keep the costs as low as possible).
The A arms are custom built to a certain specification to make the leaning suspension work properly without negatively affecting things like camber or caster, or create too much tire scrub/wear, which is detailed in the plans that are available at the link above. Their geometry can be adapted to almost any chassis you choose, just be sure that the original steering uses Ackerman geometry and maintain it with the new design mod's. This ensures that each front wheel is angled properly during a low speed turn. In other words, because the 'inside' wheel is travelling around a smaller radius than the outside wheel when turning left or right, it needs to be angled in the direction of the turn a few degrees more than the outside wheel to navigate the turn easily and minimize tire wear.
​All of the heim joints in the front suspension are high quality/heavy duty, and incorporate high misalignment spacers where required to allow for a full 30° lean in either direction (there are different grades of heim joint - don't use the cheapest or they will break!). The swingarm is attached to and supports the main frame with a rear shock absorber from a Suzuki GSXR 1000 motorcycle, which includes a dog bone progressive dampening linkage (a KTM progressive dampening shock absorber is a good substitute for the GSXR shock and linkage). The plans include a full list of all of the components and materials needed to build the leaning suspension and the rest of the trike as shown in the video. ​
The drive system uses a 12 kW/24 kWp (30 hp) electric QS hub motor mounted in a 17"x6" alloy wheel:
www.qsmotor.com/product/17-in...
The motor is controlled by a KLS72601-8080H programmable controller with regenerative braking, forward and reverse features from Kelly Controls:
www.kellycontroller.com/shop/...
Total cost for me to build this trike was around $4500 CAD. The build was spanned out over a few months, working the odd evening while waiting for parts to be delivered (COVID shipping delays). But I estimate that in total the work would haven taken approximately 2-3 weeks to finish if I had worked on it every day consecutively.
Trike Specs
Power: 12 kW continuous, 24 kW peak (~30 hp)
Top speed: 112 kph (programmable to 150 kph)
Torque: 300 nm (200 ft-lb)
Battery: Grepow LiFePo4, 74V, 4.3 kWh
Charge time: ~ 1 hour @ 59 amps
Driving range per charge: 100 km
Motor: brushless, gearless QS 273 12 kW/24 kWp, 17" hub motor
Controller: programmable Kelly KLS72601-8080H
w/ regenerative braking, forward & reverse features
Wheelbase: 59”
Front wheel track: 40”
Wheels:
front - 10x5” MASSFX Yamaha Banshee alloy rims (4x156 BP)
Pneumatico Deli tire 150/80-10
back - 17x6” alloy rim w/ QS 273 hub motor
Metzler Karoo Street tire 180/55-17
Lean angle: 30° in either direction
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[@JamesBiggar]

Get the plans for this project here: www.resystech.com/cyber-trike---electric-lrt.html

[@abyjohn9376]

Bro how about bmx bike into e bike looking forward to it easy for u right😎😉

[@TuneintoLearning]

I THINK YOU SHOULD EQUIP FRONT E WHEELS AS WELL! Just think of the torque, and capabilities.

[@luistrevino3505]

I didn't know that there was a plan to build this bike! Awesome! What would be the cost for this bike plan?

[@luistrevino3505]

@@Harry-lmao Thank you, I will.

[@luistrevino3505]

You wouldn't happen to know if they accept any other form of payment besides "PayPal?" Say money order? If they don't! Then thank you anyway for your time. I'll just have to miss out in building that same electric bike, for my self pleasure and be the envy of my neighborhood.

[@MohsinKhan-by5zu]

One day he will make iron man suit definetely

[@ajaiaju]

Ya

[@gahlotjugal]

Really

[@gugunprakoso9003]

I waiting that day

[@KingKabi]

I believe. For sure.

[@JamesBiggar]

Thanks for stopping by to watch the video! Time stamps are below, details about the project and a link to the plans are in the video description. Before I get too many questions or criticism about converting a quad into a trike, I should give you some context. The original quad belonged to a good friend of mine, who loved four wheeling and spent most of his free time in the trails. He was selling parts from the old quad before he was diagnosed with and passed away due terminal brain cancer back in '17. I received the old chassis from his family shortly after, in the condition that you see at the beginning of the video. It was intended to go in our scrap bin, but I couldn't toss it. Too many memories. I decided to put some life back into it with a new purpose. Now you know. Time stamps: 0:00 - Work 9:41 - Play

[@actionkey8042]

very very awesome))

[@wandersoncardosowandersont3888]

beautiful motorcycle, very cool, record a video with her in the city filming the reaction of people to see her please, I think it will be cool .... you got another subscriber on your channel #Br

[@markschroter2640]

This is pretty awesome. I have questions that many of us have; so here goes. How does it handle? Is the swing arm long enough, do you have enough weight down low to counter act the weight of the rider up high, are the front tires tall enough and do you think the front track could be narrowed at all?

[@JamesBiggar]

@ Mark Thanks! It handles almost exactly like a motorcycle, but with better traction and stability in the front end. There's no risk of dropping or low siding this machine. Con #1 is that the lean is limited to 30°. 45° would be ideal for some riders, but I've never had to lean that much riding my motorcycle in my area, so this setup works fine for me, and I imagine most people as well. Con # 2 is there's more feedback in the handlebars caused by the single suspension configuration compared to independent suspension, but it's not a big deal. Center of gravity is very low - most of the weight is below the seat, whether I'm sitting on it or not. The front track could be narrowed some, but making it narrower than what it is now without increasing the lean limit would decrease stability and cause the trike to lift the outside wheel off the ground when cornering sharp turns - so you'd be riding two wheels around the corner instead of three. If the lean was increased to 45°, then you could make it look like a Niken if you wanted to (though you'd probably have to redesign the suspension from using control arms to using forks instead). The swing arm and Gixxer rear progressive dampening shock absorber and linkage work great. The wheelbase seems to be just right for the geometry. The front tires are con #3, they could be a couple inches taller. Not for stability, but for better ground clearance. Other than those limitations, this machine is great, I love it!

[@nabeelfouad1987]

You are the best. ..

[@ananthanarayanann9194]

Being a differently abled guy now stuck on a 4 wheeled scooter, I really miss the leaning experience I had when I used to ride cycles and bikes, the 4 wheeled scooter experience some traction problems in corners and riding it is really hard and can't really push it to it's limits. Would love to see vehicles like these on road one day. Kudos to James. Amazing work man. Much love 💓

[@dmac1465]

Fair fucks man, this has to be one of the most badass DIY projects ever! The result is truly amazing.

[@egodeathwish]

daamn, i've been dreaming of seeing a lightweight electric tadpole like this for a good while. and it's got the looks!

[@davidbui-ford6324]

Love that your dogs were hanging out with you the whole time.

[@MatthewN8OHU]

Impressive workmanship on all of your electric vehicles, as well as your other projects. I especially love this one, as it looks so cool going everywhere you took it at the end.

[@smartcarfor2]

Would love to see something like this in my carport. Diagnosed about 5 yrs ago with Parkinsons and that ended my chances of getting on 2 wheels again. Three wheels might play well... You did the memory of your friend a great honor in this build.

[@barthaddock3151]

I imagined this exact thing like 15 years ago with a 2 stroke motor.... the suspension looks amazing.

[@athr6567]

i love it, always been into trikes, definietly would construct one for myself but probably i'll use some composite materials instead of steel

[@dansvanscolorado8014]

Fing Genious man. As a ME in the aero design industry for almost 20 years I can say you are a amazing dude.

[@videovideo5124]

Without doubt one of the best builds of it's type I've seen - well done!!

[@darwinziganay4638]

This is amazing. Everything I wanted for an electric trike. Great project.

[@electronpath]

Wow! It looks definitely like an off-road vehicle from the future!

[@DanteYewToob]

Damn. The boys over at Grind Hard Plumbing would drool all over this beast! Repurposing old rusty junk, custom suspension, and a beautiful end product.... right up their alley. You did an incredible job and I'm very inspired!

[@kevinbaughman2307]

I love it ! I was thinking it and you built it . My thoughts was Electric motors also. Props to you for getting it done and sharing your skills and ingenuety.

[@maelus9388]

This is so underrated ! It’s so a great build!

[@rdmevX]

Something you might be interested in trying. I've been using a thumb throttle on my left hand for variable regen braking. It works great on the Kelly controller.

[@NobodyReport]

Could you say more on how that works?

[@diyelectrified1289]

@@NobodyReport firstly, you have to have a controller that has a variable regen functionality. The Kelly KLS series has it. Essentially they have a second throttle input that works as variable regen.

[@bobritter7197]

This is a thing of beauty... it's perfect. You are quite the incredible engineer. Thanks for doing what you do, and sharing with us mortals. 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@theantichrist6524]

I have watched this video several times .and im more impressed with your build quality .every time I watch the video again .

[@DktheWelder]

You did a really good job ! That hub motor looks powerful! I’m building one as well but petrol 1000cc 125hp so it will be wild

[@Country_Life_Japan]

That’s pretty cool! All you need now is some LED lights to make it look more futuristic. Awesome build man 🤙🤙🤙

[@JaydenH]

Yes I miss the lights

[@geffenleffen123]

Neato build my dude, makes me think of what a Argo 8x8 build would be like. Still loving the idea of using mags for welding... simple and effective.

[@JonPowersDrives]

Dang, I'm seriously impressed by that thing. Amazing job on that build super high quality I can tell.

[@hippie-io7225]

I absolutely love your work! Mech and electrical engineering professors should show your vid's to beginning students.... to inspire them! I've avoided quad's because of stability issues and high center of gravity. Looks like a leaning trike is a good way to go.

[@markschroter2640]

I have rolled them all 2, 3 and 4 wheels. Still partial to 2 myself. I try to keep the rubber side down though.

[@KresnaPermana]

People: Hey, where did you buy it? James: I built it.

[@hamzaMaster]

Answer beautiful

[@taylorsharp5928]

Dang man, that suspension setup in the front is pretty genius! Awesome build

[@ritochit]

That's the best looking leaning reverse trike I've seen yet... Awesome!!!

[@mikebermea9366]

You have true fabricating talent. So rare. Great job!

[@editkingz5557]

you should start a production of these there amazing looking fast and i would love to buy one

[@otengkofi7358]

Love the sounds during the build

[@gforcekaras]

That is so awesome on so many fronts. Love the repurposing of the bodywork! Now if you can build a similar vehicle in the theme of a F1 car!

[@rowgler1]

You built this like a wolf- pure instinct, but I know it takes a lot of experience and knowledge to do this. Alignments, ackerman geometries, suspension, not to mention the electric details. Lean steer is the future I hope. Make new memories, a good purpose.

[@thechumpsbeendumped.7797]

rowgler1 “Pure instinct” I doubt it. A lot of knowhowification, thinkarising, plannifying went it to this.

[@markschroter2640]

You don't get this with out math and it rarely works straight out of the box.

[@wandersoncardosowandersont3888]

beautiful motorcycle, very cool, record a video with her in the city filming the reaction of people to see her please, I think it will be cool .... you got another subscriber on your channel #Br

[@dosetaimagnus7427]

Listen to your comments, so many people want you to go into production to make amazing bikes affordable to them, alot of people just don't have the skill set or understanding you have to build one as good as you have...Your designs are amazing, been following you from the start and watched your channel grow. Great to see you keeping it going and enjoying it.. Take care and all the best in the futture whatever you do 💯🔥👍

[@headstashmusic3897]

Wow. You are super talented. That looked amazing when you finished

[@jamesbryancamacho227]

Thank you for sharing this Bro, i've always loved motorcycles but i've had polio ever since i was a kid, this gives me hope that i would be able to ride a motorcycle. love and new fan here in the Philippines!

[@metalman69201]

Dear friend, just Google "Age Regression Med Beds" and then the first two items that pop up should be Facebook post that explain all about them in case you haven't heard of them yet. There are several different types and one of them cures all diseases and your polio can be cured and you can do anything you want. I have gotten into building electric vehicles and you might check the one video I put on KZbin here and then I also built a solar electric recumbent trike that holds three people and my two teenagers and I made a trip that was over 100 mi on it with Sunshine alone for fuel. It is very cool!! President Trump has been talking about manufacturing thousands of ventilators but they are actually Med beds and they're using them on children and the military veterans first and then they might soon be available for you and I. Keep your fingers crossed buddy!! :-)

[@junaedytjitajaya447]

Sick !! This the coolest trike built that I ever saw! Great job👏👏 Keep make a great and cool project. And how much money if you would sell that in the future??

[@ianadams6743]

Absolutely fantastic build keep em coming James

[@cptrikester2671]

Excellent.👍😀 So happy to see more of these. The ride on a tilting trike is awesome.

[@alishanmao]

amazing nice piece of work. must be a joy to ride.

[@jamest.5001]

I have a CBR 1000 engine I'd like to put on a frame like you started with,

[@intenseconditioning243]

I'm blown away. What a great build!!!

[@briangray6372]

Amazing build! I wish I had the time to do this. Your video doesn't do justice for the amount of design time involved in something like this!

[@DktheWelder]

I was going to call my reverse trike “Cyber Trike” but found your one pretty cool well made ! Would give you a race haha

[@JamesBiggar]

LOL. Nice job with the trike. You have some cool projects on the go, keep up the good work! I subbed

[@ZalixumZ33k]

Totally a beast, I wish i could buy this from you.

[@marziopessoa]

Same!

[@everettgraves6060]

Heck yeah! How much $$$ would you charge to build another one?

[@FarmerFpv]

You say that but would you really fork out the money? I don't believe you will, you seem the type to have buyers remorse, no offense...

[@JPtheHammer]

@@FarmerFpv How do you get that conclusion, from someone simply saying "I wish I could buy this"?

[@fluorescentblack4336]

You're a very skilled engineer and this is truly a thing of beauty. Thanks for the upload. Subscribed!

[@BCElginTex]

So cool!!! Wow, that battery ... it looks huge ... I want one or some or many. You are like a test pilot on that trike.

[@user-xy1jh8vc6u]

Бомбезно!! ))) Мы в восхищении !))))

[@scientistcat4942]

А я просто в ахуе!

[@morpheox]

The "reverse trike" is commonly known as a tadpole trike among us recumbent folks (:

[@stankrieger3137]

love your build and thank you for the NO ads, it makes viewing so pleasant. I do not know if I could ever build this, but I am thinking about going for it. Thank You again

[@JamesBiggar]

No ads? Strange, the video is monetized, should be ads showing. There would be no viewing experience here without them (these projects need to pay for themselves somehow - can't afford them otherwise). But thanks for checking it out, hope you stick around!

[@jobobatislaon6698]

Good work as always man! Your builds never disappoints.

[@TheBORNtoKILL]

Как тебе такое, Илон Маск? 10 инженеров-конструкторов из 10!

[@rikitikitavi1971]

Ну да. А конструкторы чьи. Что-то у нас на дорогах не вижу этой техники.

[@scientistcat4942]

@@rikitikitavi1971 плохо смотришь

[@scientistcat4942]

У него даже нет ленточки, всё болгаркой!!!!

[@user-nc3cb1vl5n]

@@scientistcat4942 ваабщета она и нахрен не нужна если есть эл лобзик , или фреза , ставь оснастку по металлу, смазку и работай, а ваша лента для рукожопых

[@scientistcat4942]

@@user-nc3cb1vl5n хотел бы я посмотреть, как ты будешь трубу лобзиком весь день пилить🤦

[@jnb756]

that is sick - and I really enjoyed the fast forward action - turning what would have been an hours long video into minutes - too much fun too sweet!

[@rebkhai]

So sweet man! You guys have inspired me and I am working on getting the tools to replicate this kind of Awesomeness. Keep it up!

[@ericchevalier74]

The perfect vehicle for a post covid19 apocalypse death squad.

[@olamavincent4413]

As a disable person I would like to purchase one like this to have sensation of riding a bike

[@patrickmckowen2999]

Fantastic, Spectacular and Awesome are all the best words I can think of to describe this build. Cheers

[@bentleymcentire7559]

wow, what an engineering talent! looks like tons of fun!!

[@vincsenzo]

James: I build an electric vehicle from scratch. Elon: Wait! This is illegal!

[@saulbeltran6450]

This is truly incredible. 💯

[@pault4004]

You have a great working proof of concept. People would buy that in a heart beat. You shuld see if there is a way to cheaply mass produce it.

[@cybellaRob]

Interesting, I was just thinking about an electric ATV earlier today. And there it is. Awesome! 👍

[@ChadwickRider]

Awesome! Nothing is more cool than watching someone build their idea

[@frickandfraker]

amazing conversion i like the way your mind works...

[@ericthedesigner]

Proper configuration! Baller!

[@WillieJones-Events-To-Remember]

I think you did an awesome job on Reverse Trike Build. Also the video was high quality and easy to follow. I wish I had your skills I sure would give it a try.. God Bless you with much success.

[@saeidsarir8833]

I have seen many designs but yours is one of the best. Job well done!!!

[@TheAnthonyBrandi]

wow i just watched a couple of your videos and your are a wiz at metal fabrication among other skills too. I really like how you epoxy casted the coils of that windmill. You got mad skills brotha. Great work! man.

[@donosanti]

Dude! You are the best... Big fan of you creations... Imagine that emotor and battery into a cafe racer concept...

[@user-fh8ke5cl6z]

Thanks for the interesting videos and ideas, I’m always looking forward to them !!!

[@RPRosen-ki2fk]

So that's what happens when you take Make It Extreme out of the Mediterranean, and move it to a cold climate! That was AWESOME Jim, you've elevated your game ... BIG TIME.

[@JamesBiggar]

Thanks! :)

[@johnnylucero1470]

I will be buying the guid soon. I will have an updated system for you when I do so thank you for this information 🏆

[@paulbrandonfields2947]

Thanks for the video. You’ve given me slews of ideas for my area. Thank you.

[@feyz7699]

Your dogs love to be with you and watching you at work.. they are so cute..

[@fernandocg7859]

wow!, i'm very impressed! looks a lot of fun. you have great skills. thanks for sharing.

[@PatricCTT]

Just awesome and incredibly inspiring!

[@je2933]

congrats... this video made me drool just for thinking how much fun i would have with this badass trike

[@joaobosco1834]

Muita criatividade e engenharia... Parabéns pelo seu excelente trabalho e qualidade brother.

[@ronal0508]

James, great job. Looks like OEM

[@benjaminfranklinjr2665]

You made it looks so easy to build. Great build 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@Avetho]

If only new electric cars used standardized hub motors, that'd make it all so much more efficient and simple to manufacture. Not to mention it looks friggin epic having nothing but wires going to the wheels. This looks awesome :D

[@frickandfraker]

You have to bring this design to market brother man.... wow

[@DeXoDeD]

This is so close to what I'm trying to make XD Definitely gonna borrow some of the research you've done. This thing looks so cool!!!!!

[@cyclonemind7585]

It is on another level!

[@JoeOracoy]

wow. that sound it makes

[@hog660]

The only thing I'd have done differently on this is a more sportsbike type riding position, but hats off, this is an amazing build. Been toying with the idea of a leaning on road snowmobile for years, but never had the money and space to do it.

[@soyhugo390]

i would done a more cruiser riding position

[@bilalshawky7624]

You are absolutely legend ! God bless you

[@MIKEH.777]

Great job that trach seems like it handles great keep up the great work 👍🏻👍🏻💪🏼💯🔥🙏

[@Mr020420]

this project needs to be in trending

[@hvheerden]

Best trike I've seen! Very nice build.

[@adhamsabry2084]

... Oh man, this is the most wonderful and best building project I have ever seen ... I have seen the video more than once and I was very much amused. I will definitely build something like it, but forgive me. I will make some adjustments .. and wait for your next projects. You got a great follower from Egypt, thank you

[@flowtime8673]

awesome Cyber trike also my good sir its love the music missing neon light's and bright neon city in the nighttime your awesome

[@jameslyons1978]

Brilliant mate can't wait to see the crosscart finished

[@heretik-ez1xl]

Man... your creation is truly stunning. Way sleeker & cooler than any trike that i've seen out there (piaggio,quadro, can-am etc.) can't you pitch the plans to a company somehow? we need this in mass produced!!!

[@FBPrepping]

Buddy, that´s a truly REMARKABLE rig. Congrats. I´m an engineer and I´m impressed: your design is simple, but sturdy and robust enough for some light off-roading. It rains a LOT, where I come from, and I´m sometimes afraid of EV-rigging a two wheeler because of my kiddo. Something like this would save me a ton of money in gas, too. I would modify the seating, though. I´m not that young. Thanks for creating this. I like it.

[@user-di5ge3eo7z]

Thank you for this

[@bomche115]

The idea is crazy. and I really like it.

[@rpgtrainer]

hey man i just stumbled on your channel recently, i LOVE what you do and would like to be doing basically the same stuff myself, only, I feel my focus would be on aerodynamics, and composites like carbon fiber/fiber glass. keep it up! I'm also interested in cinematography, and love that there is not too much talking in yours as i can focus better and visually learn. :D