Reverse Articulating Trike Build

I've had this idea in my head for years and finally decided to build it. I built the reverse trike and made this video in one day, but now what do I do with it? Comment below with your ideas and consider subscribing. Thanks.
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Melior Erit.

[@FernandoVisserCedrola]

If the upper bar is a little shorter than the down bar, it is a four bar mechanism with piramid stability, like 20 inches over 22 inches ... more stable than a catamaran!

[@stonecookie]

Please explain further.

[@pmwathi]

Wow! Talk of a great idea. Mercedes here i come... oh well, here comes Fernando.

[@pmwathi]

Wow! Talk of a great idea. Mercedes here i come... oh well, here comes Fernando.

[@onthepegs]

Nice. It has more grip, better braking (with brakes :)), and less sensitive to loose terrain (with some suspension). I have tricity from yamaha. Loving the added safety

[@JohnSmith-sk8hn]

Yeah! Keep it going. Put in a middrive electric motor, like a bafang, beef up the front end for more speed and power; gear it right so it will crawl over reasonable obstacles and it would be a worthwhile &fun project.

[@pedrolambrusco8190]

I have been thinking about making a motorized tilting trike. I was thinking about having the two wheels in the back though. I have watched many youtube videos and yours is by far the best at explaining your process. I think that you should continue developing this idea. But, get it to be motorized. Maybe electric. And make it more of a road-going motorcycle trike. Great job!

[@250tegra]

Well done, Justin! You have proved the principle of your idea, right enough. I know this is a year later, but I only just found you. I love the way you got it together so fast, and without ever mentioning rake or trail it seems to steer just fine. That is clever. Been considering how to build a tilting tadpole for years, and there's a (mostly) unused bike in my porch that needs putting to use. I retired in 1999, so a trike conversion is a good idea now, and I will probably need some power assist too. My first vehicle ever was a kid's trike, which I high-sided bigtime on the family driveway in the 1940s.... So I know the advantages of a tadpole vs a delta and have had the gravel-rash to prove it. Recumbents are lovely, but the math says that the lower the bike (or tilting trike) the harder it is to balance for a wobbly old guy, and they are just too low for our local commuters to notice. So what you have built is remarkably close to what I have had in mind. This trike is now on my bucket list! What I would like you to do, please, is to tweak the toe-in problem and get the handling (& brakes?) to your liking, then try a couple of ideas that will help control the tilting and provide a tilt-lock for parking, all with serious string (Para-cord?) and good quality elastic rope. For example, a length of paracord tied to the top of one of the forks, taken up to the handlebar, over the bar then down again and tied to the other fork. The tightness of this will add friction damping to the tilt, much as you have done already, but more easily tunable. Adding some elastic rope could give it some self-centering, perhaps? And another length of para-cord that just pulls the wheels level when the rope is pulled fully tight - for parking. Like the first one, but with a lever or something in the middle that pulls the cord tight and locks it - a highfield lever maybe? What think you? Ben

[@DentedFenderGarage]

Great ideas. The more popular this video has become, the more I’m thinking about reworking the front end. I will definitely use some of your ideas. I am not done with this build so I hope you are subscribed so you can see when I bring it out again. Thanks for watching and sharing.

[@Mikeecoman]

I agree with other comments in that in your approach to explaining this tilting process yours is the best i've seen so far, well done- keep up the inventing - you've got a knack for it !

[@DentedFenderGarage]

I’m really happy to see this comment. Going into this process I was scared to death of doing something wrong or missing a step and I made this video to help others who couldn’t find the steps.

[@Clemi47]

Hi, well done Justin. You should be very proud of yourself and having seen your project made me feel I can also give it a go too. Thank you again. Clem

[@bustersurfshop]

A huge thank you for this video. I built and three wheel electric/pedal recumbent 7 years ago. I ride it every day of the week but speed is a limitation because, being a fixed wheel trike, it won't lean in corners. This is the simplest and most "doable" tilting trike demo I've ever seen and well worth trying to copy. Great proof of concept video that can now be stolen and put to great use by others. Thanks again.

[@pmwathi]

You can say that again. I cannot for the life of me tell you how many videos i've been watching on tilting. I feel so stupid right about now. Now wondering whether I've ever used my brain before hehe.

[@Texaca]

...the idea is "Borrowed", you haven't stolen anything, because he shared it for Free without restrictions or obligations 🤔

[@ronyerke9250]

There's a term for trikes depending on the locations of the paired wheels. Your "reverse" is also called a tadpole trike. The other kind is called a delta trike. Just fyi. I love those old trucks. A front basket or flat rack would make for a good short-tripper to get to a store to pick up a small purchase. Nice for saving gas and getting some extra exercise. Another nice thing about trikes is stability on ice and snow.

[@codybr]

Coolest teacher I’ve ever had

[@DentedFenderGarage]

Thanks so much!

[@pisto_run_cycling]

Pretty cool.. what about some type of springs keep tension on forks to bring them back to zero..

[@techraptorx]

Super Build bro..Easy building instructions.Going to make one and share here

[@DentedFenderGarage]

Awesome, can’t wait to see it.

[@dennisboscodemello2123]

Sir, please make a video for our reference Thanks

[@SugoDiGatto]

I also had plans to build such a trike, albeit with different steering, but never went through with it. At the end of the day, a bicycle is simple and effective for doing anything. The advantages of such a design is that it should provide more traction and should feel smoother over bumps, due to the fact that, if you hit a bump on one side, only half of the height is transferred to the bike frame. However, with the whole assembly being able to steer, hitting a bump on one side would cause severe bumpsteer, possibly twisting the handlebars right out of your grip!

[@talalzakry]

I guess it's much better to climb hills than a regular bicycle ., good job , salute

[@oppoandroidf1174]

Great job,Bro....Grest job...Judt need a little finishing touch...Love it...😍😍👍👍👍👌👌👌👍👍👍

[@boobardoodles]

you could always put some bungee cords on it to keep it in a more upright position when not in use or being pushed instead of shocks

[@DentedFenderGarage]

That’s a good idea.

[@richbaumann2999]

Good idea and plan but, wider is better, for me( grandkids instead of crap training wheels) I have always been a fan of reverse trike designs. This concept with a recumbent trike would ROCK!

[@DentedFenderGarage]

Wider is cool, especially for learning, but I don’t like to limit where I can ride by being too wide to get through gates and such.

[@richbaumann2999]

@@DentedFenderGarage I feel that, different applications for different situations. No one design works for everything.

[@Zeioth]

This is super cool and would make an e-bike way more comfortable/stable for the city. I don't have tools for lead soldering, but let's see what I can do.

[@Plasmo20]

A variation might have been to attach the 2 horizontal bars up hight onto the steerer tube of each of the outer forks. That would then leave the lower half of the centre leg to carry a rack or trolley 'L" shape. This would allow you to carry shopping low down and between the 2 wheels and forward of the axles. Make a very stable cargo bike.

[@DentedFenderGarage]

Maybe I’m not following you but I feel like that would eliminate the articulating.

[@Plasmo20]

@@DentedFenderGarage Probably I was not clear enough. The horizontals currently attach to each inside fork leg. IF, that connection point was moved from the inside forkleg up to the steerer tube of each of the outer forks then that would: A) Continue to offer the reverse trike with articulation and B) leave the long central galvanised tube to be used to attach a basket or trolley plate. Then you could carry a load, down low and in front of the axles, between the 2 smaller wheels. Yamaha NIKEN motorcycle evidenced that the 2 front wheels are a benefit. Google any test of that bike and see them in action in Tour de France bike race as the camera bikes. These are very popular to build in Japan and there are a number of retail devices using this available. Google. ADD Bike+ and TREGO as a couple of examples. They are too expensive for me so I will be making my own, much along the lines of your example here.

[@TrueHelpTV]

I will happily take this off your hands so I can extend it a little and turn it into my next Frankenstein build that will have 4 forms of propulsion. (Pedal/Gas/Electric/and Steam, with the hopes of a conversion to make the Gas operate with the steam's propane or wood source in a gasifier state or something along those lines. It will be so ugly that it's beautiful.. like most people's children.

[@DentedFenderGarage]

If you have the ability to make a gas/electric/steam power for a bike then replicating this trike that I built in 1 day should be a breeze.

[@startcherif]

Very nice idea. Thanks for your time

[@trailrated08]

I’m subscribed. Love bike builders and old trucks! I like the new name.

[@salmalmiry792]

I love your work.

[@DentedFenderGarage]

Thank you.

[@uvilsonpinheiro4700]

Hey friend I am from boa vista Roraima in Brazil and I really liked this prometo congratulations send more of these

[@tawfiqahmed9452]

Good and simple and useful idea really thanks buddy

[@redramos7208]

Its pretty good sir. Ty thats a unique idea

[@manishsaxena7795]

Very good work

[@tonto5448]

Simples e funcional. Me surpreendeu.

[@CripSkillz]

I like the way ya work it use what you got n make it happen

[@johnwolf512]

Set the width of the 2 tires to 28 to 32 inches apart. It will give more stability.

[@DentedFenderGarage]

In all fairness it’s really stable as is.

[@suyadiyadi5453]

Good idea...

[@Bowhead]

Awesome

[@bav-603]

Still working on connecting steering tube by threading the bottom of tube to 3/4" mpt thread. However, may have to get welder to weld to a coupler. Alignment would be acccomplished using a 3/4" wood dowel for alignment, possibly. Will let you know results soon

[@desmondwhelan6636]

well done

[@alfredblessed2030]

amazing

[@temiongcecilio]

Praise God Most High. Great build. Hope you will continue to develop it. If you can make one that can be attached and detached to a bike I would love to order from you. I've been looking for a contraption that can do that and has a space in the middle where a narrow basket can be attached. Also one with a telescopic arm like in a travel luggage. What's this contraption for? So i can detach it from the bike and roll it inside grocery stores and would act as my mini grocery cart altogether. My ideal size bike is a bmx bike with all three wheels having the same size. And one that does not tilt the bike higher on the front. One that would make the bike's frame just straight and leveled. Thanks for sharing. Praying for your success. God bless you more. (February 2022)

[@RandyMoe]

I want a sidecar. Had a Jawa rig. Sold it.

[@samraasad3039]

Good detail video

[@DentedFenderGarage]

Thank you.

[@user-zy3iq6mq3r]

Très intéressant. Merci.

[@redramos7208]

I want to build just like that sir thanks for your video.. i love it

[@DentedFenderGarage]

I hope you build one, it’s a very fun project.

[@redramos7208]

I'll do sir thanks for your idea its very fun but its absolutely works.. i really love it

[@GUCR44]

Cool!

Show de bola parabéns 👏👏👏👏👏

[@skm0505]

Fantastic. But how well if you could try the cross hinges just above bifurcation of the forks?

[@DentedFenderGarage]

I’m not quite sure what that would look like.

[@MarkW00dy]

Love the build :-), how about having two wheels on the rear as well? now there is a challenge, I liked when only one front wheel was on the rock the frame only went up half the height of the rock .as for advantages, two front wheels would give you twice the contact patch so twice the grip and twice the brakes :-)

[@DentedFenderGarage]

I have another video where I assembled a trike. I could, in theory, put this front end on a trike and it would have 4 wheels.

[@ManuelaCastillo-ek5qm]

Hola desde Argentina gracias muy buena idea chau

[@john7630]

Exselent video thank you

[@rahulravi9455]

Good job 😍❤️ sir

[@lbg5435]

Ild like to see this perfected and maybe put a 2 stroke on it if u have the bike still. Was looking for a simple reverse trike concept and u cant get much easier

[@DentedFenderGarage]

I plan to resurrect this project and make the front end more finished, as for the 2 stroke, I’m not really sure. I used one of those eBay 2 stroke kits around 12 years ago and it was nothing but trouble and pretty dangerous.

[@brucewilmot7950]

varry cool good job

[@dennisboscodemello2123]

Sir, Me and my uncle both have balance issues with bikes and bicycles. We had a query if we buy a second hand ranger cycle & install 2 wheels in front & in rear a 250w hub motor with pedal assist. 1) How long should the front tilting axle. be? 2) front wheel 23 inches and rear wheels 26 inches with hub motor We will be using it for daily commutes on busy roads and flyovers. Sir, what do you suggest? Any suggestions from your subscribers are welcome.😁

[@DentedFenderGarage]

I need to measure my axle, I don’t remember the length as this is an older video of mine but I still have the trike. If balance is an issue then I would suggest using coil over shocks to self center the front end.

[@SlowLifePipes]

I have been rolling this idea around my head the passed few weeks about a trike with articulation for my oldest son, who has a balance disorder. I am wondering, if you were to add some springs which pulled the wheels back to center when not leaning in to a turn, would it balance itself while riding straight (to some degree)?

[@DentedFenderGarage]

I’ve struggled with that idea since I made it. Since the pivot arms are the same piece for left and right, when one side goes up, the other goes down. I don’t know what kind of spring to use that will handle the compression and extension. Some people in the comments have had some ideas, so I’d do some reading here.

[@SlowLifePipes]

@@DentedFenderGarage that’s a problem with the spring for sure. Seems like this would require a self-centering damper, like a automotive steering damper that returns to a neutral position with compression and extension.

[@bav-603]

Do the holes in the forks weaken the forks? I would like to put this system on my traditional tricycle and make it a quadricycle. Thanks

[@DentedFenderGarage]

The way I did it in the video they would be a weak spot, but if you welded sleeves in, there wouldn’t be a weak point.

[@rubensmarshmallow]

Genial. Parabéns.

[@drariflatif2550]

Thanks alot dear

[@jorgeih]

you could place two vertical dampers, one on each side, between the parallel bars of the tilt mechanism. When either wheel lifts, the bars will approach and compress the shock absorbers. This way, the dampers do not need to extend as they are limited to the maximum size between the parallel bars

[@dorianbelen]

If you put resistance springs to make it return to its vertical position(watch Half bike rear tires, similar to skate board pivot). This bike may be perfect for children with autism and non-severe asperbergs. also for people with problems to sit completely in a bicycle chair and who want to handle the bicycle standing up. Also to learn to ride a bicycle for the first time.

[@DentedFenderGarage]

I had not considered this for anyone but able bodied riders, this is an excellent idea to build on. Thank you.

[@stonecookie]

@@DentedFenderGarage Putting a unicycle seat on and adding fold up pedals may make it usable as a strider bike for those with an impaired ability to walk. Those with balance issues will need the two front tires at a greater width so it is more stable. I'm working on something similar but doubt I'll get to completion.

[@patrickaspuria49]

just build mine but steering is really a challenge. a chopper bike body and place a small carrier in front so it'll suits the two wheels on the front. now still configuring out a good steering design.haha

[@jmmarin4872]

I'd like ti know how long Is the Pipe you installed between the 20inches forja. Thanks.

[@patrickaspuria49]

@@jmmarin4872 actually i assembled it out of old bike parts i got from friends. got an fb page i would like to see more or the bike you made. thanks.

[@yasakelma7590]

You must add it dual shock absorbers.thank you for this little yamaha niken without engine

[@DentedFenderGarage]

I actually thought about this, but I didn’t want to add even more weight and unless you hit 1 bump with both wheels, they cancel each other out on bumps.

[@yasakelma7590]

@@DentedFenderGarage thank you for answer.my englis not quite good..i was just thinking about it and i guess shock absorbers develop ability to cornering by improving the tint angle.

[@GDMHificationranpitc]

hey any updates on this bike? how about electric?

[@DentedFenderGarage]

No updates as of yet but this was so popular I will be rebuilding it. As for electric, I may experiment with it in the future, but I just don’t have the money to buy the parts.

[@GDMHificationranpitc]

@@DentedFenderGarage I can understand that, it can get expensive I went the cheap electric route. I think I will buy another twin fork, thanks for the inspiration and prompt response have a lovely day.

[@sonu-hg3hi]

Thanku

[@ernestoevkur]

It is good joıb !!!! Tilting system is not so weak ? the tickness of the material I mean . you can use springs for more stability. i am thinking. bnut it is good. in the video your weight is i dont want to estimate but iit is good.

[@DentedFenderGarage]

The tilting system in the video is very strong but it will be improved. I only made this to see if it would work.

[@olal7096]

Красивое решение!

[@nefitalyrufino7319]

De l

[@horrorsilentpicture456]

Now where to put the shocabsur. How to connected.

[@alricsimmons5089]

You need to stretch it out I'ma send you a picture but I like that same idea but you have different concept and I like yours better than mine

[@dddd4735]

Would it be good on roads with a little bit of ice in the wintertime?

[@DentedFenderGarage]

I would definitely trust this more on icy roads than 2 wheels.

[@dddd4735]

@@DentedFenderGarageokay thank you

[@vosviddine95]

thanks and tahnks

[@rayand9000]

Great

[@alvarobotelhovillelaaprendernu]

Show parabéns 👏

[@marbenmarben7944]

Ist the best ! 👍

[@jf6732]

Why didn’t’ you use 24inch wheels up front? Looks really cool !!

[@DentedFenderGarage]

I had more 20” wheels and forks to sacrifice and using 24” wheels would have raised the front too much based on how I built it and needed it to articulate.

[@jf6732]

@@DentedFenderGarage thanks

[@perka1jak363]

terimakasih saya bisa membayangkan cara kerja yang sederhana, dan saya yakin setelah anda menemukan sudut kemiringan kemudi yang sesuai anda akan membuatnya jauh lebih baik.

[@GDMHificationranpitc]

Greetings, what size bolts did you use? 3/8 or larger ?

[@DentedFenderGarage]

To be honest I don’t remember. I will be rebuilding this bike for another episode.

[@GDMHificationranpitc]

@@DentedFenderGarage I look forward to it... I bought some 5/16 I will try to let you know when they snap. Shalom

[@clevesgrilo8008]

Good night! Does this system work? I write from Brazil!

[@DentedFenderGarage]

Yes, it works well.

[@GIGATT808]

Blessed are the peacemakers indeed

[@notbought24]

U using full face shield?

[@DentedFenderGarage]

Yes.

[@guillermohormaza1919]

Podrian esplicarnos lacostruccion de dicho triciclo en español para poderlo fabricar.

[@sirajhussain791]

Nice but needs more refinment for better stability

[@OhMostBobulousOne]

I am thinking about a "Backwards Brain Bicycle" like from the "Smarter Every Day" channel. Would this design added to that bike make it easier to learn to ride?

[@DentedFenderGarage]

I’m anti-backwards brain bicycle. Learning to ride it makes you a worse rider on a regular bike.

[@guillermohormaza1919]

Se podria hacer que las explicaciones del armado de la bicicleta se haga en español, gracias.

[@drariflatif2550]

Subhan Allah, MashAllah. Allah the almighty, the magnificent and the only One give you good health amd more ideas and keep sharing good ideas.

[@wanderingrebelinvestigatio2071]

You should put a two-stroke motor on that bike

[@DentedFenderGarage]

I went down the 2-stroke engine on bicycles years ago and not sure I want to go back.

[@Simcore999]

How does it ride?

[@DentedFenderGarage]

Surprisingly well, if I fixed the toe in on the front wheels, it would track better. This was really a proof of concept.

[@christophecamus8410]

Cool bike ,it might need some brake

[@DentedFenderGarage]

I agree. This was just a “proof of concept.” I am planning a future video where I rebuild it with brakes and make it better.

[@RicardoAlves-wc6ps]

Muito bom, 👍👍👍

[@Badical69killemall]

KEWL!!!!!!!!

[@marcofabiancaro538]

Maybe someone in Colombia 🇨🇴 doing this? Alguno en Colombia puede hacer esto?

[@lodunes6948]

I might try doing this to a tallbike just to see what happens lmao

[@DentedFenderGarage]

As an owner of 8 tallbikes and builder of 10, I’ll give you my impression. First, I’d always avoid 3 wheels on a tallbike, but I would make an exception for this if done right. To do it right I would either sleeve the holes through the forks and use nylon washers or ditch the holes and weld studs to the forks and use bearings on them through the steel for precision. If your alignment is dead on, you wouldn’t have any issues other than the extra rolling resistance for your rolling mount. I just wouldn’t put it on a tallbike because for the casual viewer they would assume the 3 wheels would be the balancing factor of the tallbike.

[@redramos7208]

💖💖💖💖

[@MarkW00dy]

Why "reverse" trike? surly trike just means "3 wheels"?(as in trike is just short for" tricycle"), I have heard of this layout being called "Tadpole trike" now that makes sense :-) , would a reverse trike have -3 wheels of drive everywhere backwards? lol

[@DentedFenderGarage]

You’re right, but most people just think of a trike in layout form, not number of wheels.

[@gustavoramirez-rangel5773]

You still need the springs

[@DentedFenderGarage]

Springs would add no benefit to riding it and would actually add resistance to steering.

[@prototype9000]

Allways finding new ways to fall off a bike

[@samuelschramm]

Boa noite amigo ! deveria botar um amortecedor na articulação para quando parasse ela ficasse em pé e ficaria mas macia.

[@duflyingdutchssswest-fries4941]

Put 2 motors in the for Weel s 🤔

[@DentedFenderGarage]

That would be cool but also lots of money.

[@Olga13.03.]

Отлично 👍💯.

[@AaronHendu]

Definitely cut those steerer tubes off before you core sample yourself.

[@DentedFenderGarage]

What fun would that be?

[@stephenroberts8361]

mass markertef as trego bikes

[@Y22860]

Это не продуманная подвеска, она не будет хорошо работать, у колес разные траектории, они идут в разрыв. Центральная часть должна быть неподвижна. А колеса должны быть на поворотных кулаках, как у автомобиля

[@DentedFenderGarage]

I’m not an engineer, this works good but it’s not suspension really, it’s just a tilt mechanism.

[@higleywelding8638]

Why don't you show the buid?

[@DentedFenderGarage]

What part did you want to see?

[@DentedFenderGarage]

I just went back and watched the video, I haven’t watched it since I made it over 2 years ago and I don’t see anything made that I didn’t show.

[@tajhayes7841]

Cut the tubes off the forks man

[@DentedFenderGarage]

I left the steer tubes on in case I wanted to adapt a shock or something, what you see in the video is just stage 1.

[@philiprayner1772]

now take it down a hil and see how it handles a corner

[@DentedFenderGarage]

It doesn’t corner bad, it’s just very primitive as I built it.

[@philiprayner1772]

@@DentedFenderGarage if you do not mind what did it cost to build and would you build another ?

[@DentedFenderGarage]

The only thing I bought was some bolts, washers, and nuts. Everything else came from my bicycle scrapyard. If I had time I would do it again and do it right. I would measure, drill, and sleeve the front forks. Install front brakes. Use nylon washers on the moving joins for smoother motion. It’s a cool bike idea, not very practical, but a fun freak bike.