VW Trike Build Budget

What does it cost?  Really what does it cost? For those just starting and building a brand new trike, here is what I’ve spent so far…

• 6/20/2008 – BigYella.com VW Trike Plans – BigYella.com parryart@bigpond.net.au. – $48.86
• 6/20/2008 – Rolling Chassis 1980 Yamaha XS850 VIN 3J2011900 – Dan Booi Chebanse – $0.00
• 6/21/2008 – How to Keep your VW Alive – VW Beetle – Half.com – $22.78
• 6/21/2008 – How to Build a Bobber on a Budget – Bike Builders Handbook – BN.com -Â $37.56
• 6/21/2008 – Ed Roth’s Guide to Trikes – The Rat Fink – Mooneyes.com – $13.15
• 6/28/2008 – Trike Donor Frame and Donor 1600 Dual Port Motor Gas and Travel – Type 1 Bud – $600
• 6/29/2008 – Tools, Parts Washer, Welder, Dinner, Travel Harbor Freight – Farm and Fleet – $600
• 7/02/2008 – Engine Stand and VW Engine Adaptor – JC Whitney – $106
• 7/19/2008 – 10″ 50′S Size American Racing Rims Aluminum – Gary Kauffman Martinton – $0.00
• 7/28/2008 – Rear Disc Brake Conversion Kit No Ebrake 5 lug Chevy Short Spline #111698601CSÂ $224.95 & (2) AC Adjustable Coil Over Shocks Chrome #513001C ACÂ – So. Cal. Imports $69.90 & Shipping $57.55
• Mothers Power Ball and Polish and Nevr-Dull – Walmart – $28.85
• Street Rodder and American iron Magazine – $11.68
• 7/29/2008 – Stingray Super Wide Fiberglass Body in Black Gel Coat – Triikes Inc. – $650 + $250 shipping
• 7/31/08 – Cragar SS Wide Unilug Rims and BF Goodrich tires – Type 1 Bud – $200 & $50 Gas
• 7/31/08 – Duplicolor Caliper Paint, Engine Paint, Magnetic Protractor and Magnetic Levels – Chrome License Plate Frame – Farm and Fleet $38.18
• 5/10/2009 – 1″ Custom Neck – Ebay, Kirk Bivins, Monmouth, IL – $33
• 5/11/2009 – Chrome Billet Smooth Front End 2″ Over for Harley Wide Glide – Demon’s Cycle – $442.99
• 5/12/2009 – Demon’s Custom Bike Building 101 DVD – Demon’s Cycle – $11.00
• 5/12/2009 – 21″ x 2.15″ 60 Spoke Chrome Front Wheel New – Ebay – $75.00

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Here is a list I’ve seen for a Kit Car build. I thought the following was a realistic list of possible expenses for my build as well… Mind you, this if or a “KIT CAR”… so some adjustment will be necessary as not all items are relevant.

Basics

• Donor $350

Brakes

• Master cylinder $30
• wheel cylinders $60
• hoses $60
• hardware $15
• seals $7
• bearings $20
• cables $30
• Hard lines $30
• drums $250
• Reservoir $10
• switches $20
• Total = $532

Suspension

• adjusters $25
• bushings $50
• shocks $40
• ball joints $60
• tie rods $65
• rag joint $10
• caster shims $10
• drop spindles $200
• Total = $460

Chassis

• Steel $100
• e brake $30
• shifter bushings $12
• tranny mounts $30
• cables $30
• trailing arm bearings $60
• paint $100
• bolts $85
• Total = $447

Tranny

• seals $50
• cv boots $20
• Total = $70

Interior

• Seats $450
• carpet $100
• gauges $250
• shifter $25
• steering wheel $125
• Roll Cage $200
• seat belts $125
• Total = $1275

Electrical

• switches $60
• fuse box $45
• wiring $100
• misc terminals $40
• heat shrink $30
• wiper motor $50
• headlights $50
• taillights $50
• battery and box $90
• Total = $515

Body

• Body $2000
• Fuel tank $70
• fuel fill $135
• hose $15
• clamps $5
• fuel filter $5
• fuel filter mount $12
• windshield $180
• steering column support $75
• steering column $50
• body gasket $15
• wiper arms $25
• wiper blades $13
• Total = $2600

Engine

• 1600 dp rebuilt by me $900
• carbs–used 40mm IDF’s $450
• exhaust $200
• chrome $200
• clutch $150
• alternator $100
• starter $100
• Total = $2100

Wheels

• rear $360
• front $270
• lugs $30
• tires $400
• Total = $1060

Misc

• Paint $150
• powdercoating $250
• general misc $300
• Total = $700

Total = $10109

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Yeah it’s pricey, but now let’s look at our neighbors and co-workers.

Hunting

• Permits
• Beer
• Dogs
• Guns
• ATVs
• Land lease
• Beer

Boating/fishing

• Storage (depends on deed restricted aka “commie” subdivisions)
• Tow vehicle insurance
• Tow vehicle payment (or price of truck out right)
• Tow vehicle fuel
• Boat payment (or price of boat out right)
• Boat insurance
• Boat fuel
• Rods/reels
• Beer
• Repairs

Strip clubs

• Do I really have to list this stuff?

NASCAR crap

• Latest jacket for favorite driver
• Latest Tee shirt for favorite driver
• Latest Matchbox car of favorite driver
• Latest window sticker (for back of boat tow vehicle or huntin’ truck)…
• Latest 1/24 scale model of car of favorite driver
• Latest poster of favorite driver
• Any officially licensed NASCAR merchandise
• Plasma HDTV and Dish 500 package so you can sleep through the race on Sunday…
• Tickets to any one of the countless races they have throughout the season
• Travel to and from said NASCAR event
• Beer. Lots and lots of beer
• Hotel while there
• Officially licensed NASCAR merchandise ’cause you don’t have enough already and this stuff will be collectible one day…
• More beer

Bar fly/alcoholic

• See any of the above plus
• AA meetings
• DUI and court costs
• Fines
• Divorce settlement
• Alamony
• Child support

SCUBA diving

• See “Boating” and throw in an extra $10,000 for good measure

Just perhaps I got off on a little bit of a tangent but you see where I’m going with this. Yeah this stuff ain’t free, but in the grand scheme of things it’s pretty cheap if you do it yourself.

Next…

There could be some modifications for buying a “need work” style buggy, such as:

• Running motor: Savings potential $1450
• Wheels: potential savings $1060
• Steering column & support: potential savings $125
• Windshield: potential savings $180
• Body: potential savings $2000
• Dropped spindles: potential savings $200
• Donor: potential savings $350
• Total POTENTIAL Savings: $5365.00