CX500 GL500 650 Global

Progress report. April 2009
I need to install new mounting points for the front of the rear leaf springs. I cut the originals away as they were pretty well rusted out. That and the driveshaft are the only thing keeping me from riding it all over the neighborhood, chasing the ATV's around.
November 14, 08
The mechanical issues with the trike are pretty much resolved. It drives well and once on a paved road for a quick illegal ride it handled well also. At this time, I am waiting for rear wheel brake cylinders, emergency brake cables and a spur gear for my electric reverse. I will be mounting the spur gear between the differential pinion stub and the drive shaft, I will be mounting the MG starter motor from the frame.
I'm pretty much into the paint-prep stage. Cash flow is also becoming a concern, it seems to flow very fast lately


UPDATE April 19, 2009
The trike has been completed and ridden and is scheduled for it's first road trip. This weekend I will be traveling down the blue Ridge Parkway and various secondary roads to the famous TWO (two wheel only) campground in the northern Georgia mountain town of Suches (pronounced 'such as" but, with an e) Lots of twisties and climbing and descents to give Old Yeller a good work-out.

UPDATE April 27, 2009
As with any CX/GL 500 where you are always looking for another gear, with Old Yeller, I'm looking for two other gears. I need to change the ratio a bit and I have been looking into the MG foruns for differential options. Worse comes to worse, I can always but another gearbox in line between the GL output and the MG rear end.

UPDATE 5/01/09
Well, if I try to speed the trike up with taller tires, I will need tractor wheels. So, that's out. Gear up box? Cant find. Latest idea, chain drive, sprocket up, drive train change. Starting first combo as 14 tooth sprocket from the Gl 500 transmission and 12 tooth sprocket on the shaft to the differential. That will give the differential a two teeth increase with each transmission revolution. I'm buying my sprockets from Tractor Supply and they are inexpensive to change if need be. Also with the additional shafting, I'll be able to throw an override clutch on a shaft for an easy 12Volt reverse drive.

UPDATE 6/30/09
Old Yeller has gone to live in the Atlanta, GA area. She was bought by another mature gentleman who is not that interested in speed (so he say) I feel I had gotten a fair price of $3000.00 for my 82 GL500 and 66 MGB creation. I have already began building a reverse trike using a 83 GL650 for the driving force. and a 72 MGB for the front steering and suspension. I'll start a new thread on this site at a later date.

For pictures of Old Yeller Trike, go to: http://httassociation.com/

I'm afraid I'm out of my depth here Phil.I only know trikes from friends(I have a pal I can ask as he has built several CX trikes but usually using the old 3 wheeler Robin Reliant back ends) but what I can say is that Girling have a great reputation and of course should be easier to source for spares if required but then you could also find an MG owners club/forum who would help?

The Reliant Robin was a poor man's form of transport over here orginally and became popular from the 1970s and you did not need to pass your car licence to drive one just a motorcycle licence.


http://www.3wheelers.com/robin.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reliant_Robin

Phil in Lowgap wrote:
I remember in my MG days, I had to use Girling brake fluid. I now have a hybrid rear braking system in a 55 Chevrolet Master cylinder and of course the MG wheel cylinders. I still have the MG master cylinder. Should I drop the Chev and install the MG and stick with the Girling?

I have a '67 Land Rover and the same question always come up. Short answer is, if you're going to use new cylinders or get a rebuild kit for them you will be fine with regular brake fluid.
The idea was that Girling (or castrol LMX) does not degrade the original pure rubber seals. It doesn't matter for the newer coumpounds.