Sperry Rand Tricub

[wildman]

I’ve just added another SPD trike to my family of 2 Tricarts. This one is the tamer Tricub. It’s similar to the Tricarts except has a steel frame under the fiberglass body and Briggs 5 hp engine. This one even has the front ski kit. I intend to restore this one also, but it’s together and running so I may just keep it together for a while and get to work on my other Tricart. The one thing that has me most worried (regarding restoration) is the rear tires. These tires seem to be the same or similar to what you AATVers refer to as balloons. They may even be the same tires as used on the SPD Wedges and other AATVs. I don’t know if they came in different sizes and there’s no size indicated on the sidewalls. One tire on this trike is in very tough shape with patches on the outside, but does hold air for a day or so. I’ll probably be making so more posts in the “Tires” and “Wanted” sections when I get deeper into this project. I’ll definitely be looking for a nice, serviceable pair of these, if I can find any.

Anyway, I appreciate you AATVers indulging me with my trike talk on this forum. I know that these funny little carts are not the primary focus of this board, but there seems to be a few fans on here. Hopefully I’ll be introducing you to my 2nd Tricart restoration project soon. This one has an interesting history.

I haven’t picked up the Tricub yet, but here are a few pics that the seller sent me.
Tricub.jpgTricub (1).jpgTricub (13).jpg

[Mike]

I like the ski! Looks like another fun project. Keep us updated.

[jpswift1]

Very cool machine and thanks for posting up the pics! Those tires are the earlier, and more aggressive style than the more common Firestone balloon tires. These were made by Uniroyal. Uniroyal also made these with the "Attex" logo molded on them as well. My very first Attex 297 (first generation machine) had these same exact tires on it. You probably be able to find the less aggressive Firestone balloon tires rather easily, but the Uniroyals are significantly more difficult to come by.

[wildman]

Very cool machine and thanks for posting up the pics! Those tires are the earlier, and more aggressive style than the more common Firestone balloon tires. These were made by Uniroyal. Uniroyal also made these with the "Attex" logo molded on them as well. My very first Attex 297 (first generation machine) had these same exact tires on it. You probably be able to find the less aggressive Firestone balloon tires rather easily, but the Uniroyals are significantly more difficult to come by.

Other than tread aggressiveness, are all these balloons about the same size? I know that it's a 3 bolt pattern on the hub.

[jpswift1]

Other than tread aggressiveness, are all these balloons about the same size? I know that it's a 3 bolt pattern on the hub.

The 3 bolt pattern is universal with all of the balloon tires. The only thing is that some machines like early Amphicats and early Scramblers used smaller mounting studs. If you happen to get one of these tire/rims with the smaller holes for the smaller studs, all you have to do is drill them out and you're all set. Don't worry though because these smaller hole hole wheel/tires are much less common than the others and making them fit your application is not difficult at all.

[wildman]

The 3 bolt pattern is universal with all of the balloon tires. The only thing is that some machines like early Amphicats and early Scramblers used smaller mounting studs. If you happen to get one of these tire/rims with the smaller holes for the smaller studs, all you have to do is drill them out and you're all set. Don't worry though because these smaller hole hole wheel/tires are much less common than the others and making them fit your application is not difficult at all.

Great... thanks.

[jpswift1]

Great... thanks.

Glad to help! Take a look at these on ebay right now:
ATV Flotation Tires New Pair LH & RH Attex 6x6 : eBay Motors (item 200448839076 end time Mar-17-10 21:34:17 PDT)


They're going up pretty high already, but it sure would be nice to have brand new balloons for this project.

[wildman]

I'll keep an eye on them, thanks. There's also a couple of decent looking used ones on eBay now.

[LarryW]

Nice find! Pretty cool machines!

[LarryW]

I happen to run into this article with the and saw a trike with attex tires, lol. Thought you may like it.

Page 88 They called it a dune cycle? Is it same thing or not?

http://books.google.com/books?id=ogAAAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA86&dq=popular++dunecyle&cd=1#v=onepage&q=&f=false

[jpswift1]

I happen to run into this article with the and saw a trike with attex tires, lol. Thought you may like it.

Page 88 They called it a dune cycle? Is it same thing or not?

Popular Science - Google Books

Good find, Larry! I think the Dunecycle was made by someone else, but I can't remember who.

[LarryW]

If you look at the pictures of the dune cycle, the tires are "normal" for non amphibious use. But the one with it standing on end. They look backwards.(for them) Strange Must be they had an amphib geek put new tires on for him, lol.

[wildman]

I was curious about the tire direction too. The Tricub I'm getting also has the tires installed this way (seemingly backwards) and this 1971 SPD ad shows the Tricub with the cleat tires mounted the same way. I'm getting a photocopy of a Tricub owner's manual, so I'm interested to see what it shows.
SPD Ad - 1971.jpg

[wildman]

Glad to help! Take a look at these on ebay right now:
ATV Flotation Tires New Pair LH & RH Attex 6x6 : eBay Motors (item 200448839076 end time Mar-17-10 21:34:17 PDT)

$227.50 + shipping... Yikes! Anybody out there with a decent, serviceable pair that you want to part with?

[wildman]

I picked up the Tricub on Friday. It runs greats, so I already have taken some rides in the woods... really not bad for a 5 hp Briggs. I took some photos today and started an album. The metal flake finish (option) is awesome! It just screams 1970.
Tricub - Amphibious ATV Pictures

Even mrs. wildman took a turn. This one may become hers.