Free Spirit 3 wheeler front wheel drive

No Cover Charge

Another spy photo from our assembly room
got throttle and clutch cables on and all three chains tensioned
dang its getting crowded in there
 

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if I wanted that THING...

...that THING

What do you mean by that? These are not only our heritage and history, but a dang fine engine kit that will practically run forever. These are the roots we come from and before you knock it, maybe take a better look. Try a test ride if you ever come across one.
As for repair cost, these have been out of production for 25 years. It's like restoring an original era whizzer, Chicken Power, Shaw, or what have you. Mike is a great guy, and Though I agree that "forcing ' to buy the literature package is a bit pirate, he will assist you through the process in every way. Just remember, he is out for 30 days at a time, so be somewhat patient with him in that regard. I will end this by saying again this is an engine that could be 25-35 years old, and you may need replacement parts or asemblies. I know you've already put $$$ in and don't feel like it is worth it. To the enthusiast of vintage stuff it is. If your not into that and just wanna ride a motoredbike we have come a ways since then; there are some very good kits out there these days, and all have their advantages and smile factor and you may be happier with that, but I'm just sayin' don't knock our heritage. I have (and have had) a few of these Tanaka made kits, they are a blast and look great on my '66 Schwinn Typhoon. I love the engagement "shift" lever and knob- It's like an old hot rod.
 
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Uncle is right. While the Sears, et al, engine kits look primitive, they are still in use all over the world. I'll take a Tanaka motor over 10 H.T. motors. By the way, the later model of these, had a nice plastic shroud hiding everything & used a clutch.
 
:surrender: that "thing' is the mountainman's catch phrase.....I'm sure no disrespect was meant. ;)

mlcorson, your sears motor is a worthy project...& it deserves its own thread.:)

At this time, I'd like to return this thread to peddling_motors.
I don't know if anyone else has noticed... but he's building a very interesting trike here.

Another spy photo from our assembly room
got throttle and clutch cables on and all three chains tensioned
dang its getting crowded in there
trike cool.jpg

Looking good!!
 
p_m, I gotta tell ya - that is one sweet build you got going on. Worn out many shoehorns so far?

I really, really like what you are doing. Heck, make a couple sheetmetal "wings" lined with thin eggcrate foam to shroud the sides, run your exhaust under and point the tip down behind the basket, and that will be one stealthy machine. If you are worried about airflow, do what I've seen done once - hook up a couple of large computer case cooling fans in a shaped shroud just in front of the seat tube, with the wings in place it will guide all of the airflow over the engine, and the larger fans will move a LOT of air at (typically) just a few volts.

Of course, that assumes stealth is at all an issue for you.
 
At this time, I'd like to return this thread to peddling_motors.
I don't know if anyone else has noticed... but he's building a very interesting trike here.


View attachment 12752

Looking good!!

Sorry Guys I am a SHE
I enjoy doing it all I just dont like to weld so I let the other guys do that part for me
 

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