Q for Beetle experts - vw trike in snow/ice

I have a Stires trike (looks something like this, with a late 70's
Beetle motor):

http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/3393/tp/brian.jpg

Mine's not quite ready for the road yet, and I'm trying to decide
if it's worth fixing up before spring. I'm in Vancouver, Canada
where there's lots of rain in winter and sometimes heavy wet snow
that gets packed down and can turn to ice if the temperature drops
as Arctic air moves in.

My question is, how well would this rig run in snow and ice conditions.
Does the Beetle transaxle supply torque to both wheels?

I've been talking to a subscriber to RMH who rides a Ural & sidecar
in Halifax, Nova Scotia who says he runs his rig all winter, usually
in 1 wheel drive mode. However there have been winter days here when
I tried riding a motorcycle, and never even got out of the driveway;
the rear wheel just spun freely on the ice.

Another problem of course is steering traction for the front wheel.
I suppose on really icy days I'd better give up and use my FWD van.

TIA, Sean_Q_

 

Sean secured a place in history by writing:

Christ. My eyes!

 

If you want to know if the Beetle transaxle *drives* both wheels, then
the answer is yes. However if you want to know if it's got a limited
slip diff, AFAIR the most likely answer is no...

Ah, so that's where I remember your question from .

I think Urinals are built for that kind of weather, plus he's got more
snow than ice, right? I'd say ice would be the problem...

I'd say so.

 

Unless I am informed otherwise, I shall assume your response to be
an expression of dislike. However, perhaps I should have pointed out
that my trike is black and has no fairing.

I just need to know how this trike would perform in snow and ice
compared to a sidecar rig.

SQ

 

I hope yours will have to lovely fairing... Sets the whole thing off
very tastfully...

 

Wotcha.

The main problem will be the carb icing up.
It sits a good five or six inches above the engine - and the inlet manifold
must be a foot long.
I've covered the engine on mine, and also made a warm air intake from the
left hand rear exhaust - and it still ices up occasionally. The
accelerator pump doesn't help.
You can buy an electric heating element, a little like an electric blanket,
that wraps around the manifold - I must admit, I ain't tried one.

Yep. It's a differential, but built into the gearbox casing.

Snow ain't that much of a problem, but ice will get you every time.

 

No, but mebbe this babe was:

http://vtwinbiker.com/EasyWriter/HellgaStory_/hellgastory_.html

SQ

 

I'm sure my old Beetle had an exhaust-gas heating tube that was attached
along the length of the inlet manifold.

 

wacky races...

 

Wotcha.

Yep - attaches just in front of the rear exhaust port.
A large hole in one end, and a small hole in the other - the idea being that
the difference in pressure would cause hot gas to flow along the pipe.
To be honest, it never worked that well. Most aftermarket exhausts ( read
stainless ) don't
have the mounting for the heat riser.

 

Looks like a mobility scooter

 

Yes, it's a **** car back enbd and there isn't a car "out there" that's
driven by a single wheel. Differentials actually exist on this side of the
pond too you know.

Be thankful your's is a two wheel drive then. Did you say you built yours?

Or do the sensible things. Sell the trike and hibernate 'til the spring and
buy a bike.


--
Beav

VN 750
Zed 1000
OMF# 19

 

I thought you were taking the piss. Then I clicked on the link.

I'll probably recover, but there's no guarantee.


--
Beav

VN 750
Zed 1000
OMF# 19

 

Dun't look anything like mine. Thankfully. Mine's red


--
Beav

VN 750
Zed 1000
OMF# 19

 

Beav secured a place in history by writing:

I killfiled the OP. It's the only guarantee of safety.

 

You've kill filed Cane too then? That's the only real guarantee.




--
Beav

VN 750
Zed 1000
OMF# 19