1976 Heald Super Tryke Restored!

 I built a cover for the comet clutch over the last couple days. I got it installed this morning.  It is a little crude but considering the tools I  have for fabrication, It functions well!  I was a little worried that if anyone road the Tryke with long hair, it might get caught in the driven clutch and not only would they get gratuitous hair removal but they would not want to ride the Tryke after that.

After the installation of the clutch guard the build is complete.  This is what it looks like finished!

Finishing Touches

So the Tryke is mostly done. It starts and runs well. It stops when I use the brakes. It is missing some of the niceties, you know, the things that make it easier to want to ride around.  First of all it is starting to cool down outside and with that a choke is needed. I debated where I could located a choke mechanism and finally decided to mount it under the front seat. I did this for a couple of reasons but mostly because I did not want to run another cable through the frame.  I couldn't figure out a good spot on the handlebars for a mechanism either. I fashioned a lever out of the old throttle lever I had removed from the GX390. A trip to my local bike store supplied me with the cable parts to put a good custom cable together and with a bunch of measuring, I have a good functioning choke mechanism.

  Although people may look at me strange when I put my hands between my legs to start the Tryke, It works well just the same.
The second thing I did was install a kill switch up front. This was needed for safety as much as convenience.  Nothing like climbing off the tryke to shut it down and having to chase the Tryke down the road as it takes off without you.  I used one of the old head light holes to mount the switch. The holes were left when I removed the old headlight switches.  It is a momentary micro-switch so it looks fairly natural.

The third thing I did was to get the old fenders sand blasted and powder coated.  The awareness of a need for fenders appeared when I drove through the smallest puddle and the front wheel threw the entire content of the puddle in my face.  The Tryke looks better with them anyway.

The final update was a new key switch. The original three position key switch on the GX390 had a starter position and was not going to work with the new handle bar switches,  I found a ATV switch with a real key. In the "OFF" position if simply grounds out the magneto. In the "ON" position it sends power to all the switches up front and eliminates the grounding of the magneto. No lights, horn, or anything without the key in and in the on position.

The only thing needed now is a safety cage for the comet clutch.  This will take some fabrication and will have to wait for another day!