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Sun Oct 06, 2024 2:05 am

Hi just a bit of an introduction, I'm a retired auto/heavy truck technician and recently I got the thought of building a trike starting with a $100 36 HP engine. I'm curious which transmission would I need to get, I'm trying to do this all as cheaply as I can because my pension sucks! I also have a Sportster, Honda Nighthawk, and a few other vehicles that all suck money out of my pockets. I live in Alberta right close to the Montana border. Any advice would be appreciated.

Sun Oct 06, 2024 11:38 am

I'd probably look for a "split-case" transmission but mostly because it has the gear ratios that were originally used for a 36hp engine so it might be the best match up for cruising around.

"Split-case" meaning the case for the transmission is 2 halves, similar to a VW engine like your 36hp one.

The only issue is while this transmission should be cheap, it's expensive to rebuild, if needed. Mostly because of parts availability. Not that a later transmission is cheap either but the parts are probably more readily available.

Sun Oct 06, 2024 11:50 am

Are you planning on building it from scratch? Will it be the type beetle rear clip? I would go with a 69 and later IRS suspension and trans. A stock trans should hold up forever in a trike with a 36hp engine. Most IRS trans are 4.12 ring and pinion. Some later ones are 3.88. Most trike run pretty big tires, so a 4.12 would be good.

Thu Mar 27, 2025 3:33 am

Hello Bruce, I am an Albertan too and on occasion find myself visiting family just short of the Montana border!

Is the trike project still a possibility? I do have an older split transaxle complete with suspension that could be a decent starting point for you. The transaxle itself was, I suspect, run out of oil so may only be good for parts. The suspension itself is usable. I cut the whole unit out of my sand rail and put in a Bus one.

I also have a '67 swing axle transaxle that is complete and was in my street Buggy. I replaced it because every now and then it would pop out of 4th gear when we hit a bump. It should be a good rebuildable core.

You can have the split trans and suspension for free but I would like a little bit for the '67 core. We are due to visit the Aiden area sometime in the next month or two so I could bring them that far for you.

Sat Jun 21, 2025 7:23 am

Looks like Bruce is no longer with us.