Tricycle Fetish Blog

Q: I recently acquired a trike, seem to be a Miami Sun Deluxe, however I can not find any information on it or it’s model and am not even sure if this is really the model and of course no idea on the year, the trike is very rusted and needs restoration.  I would like to restore with original parts.

A: You look to have an early Miami Sun adult tricycle, probably from the late 1970′s or 1980′s – hard to tell from the one photo.  If you need an exact model number or year, you might be able to contact Miami Sun….but really I don’t think it matters too much.  Before you start restoring it, you need to ask yourself why you want to restore it.   Because honestly, you will never get the value back out of the tricycle that you put into it.  It isn’t something that is going to be collectible, probably ever.  You can buy brand new adult tricycles for a few hundred dollars.  Finding original parts is going to be quite difficult if not impossible, and likely quite costly, with very little return.

If you want to fix it just for yourself to ride, you should be able to get some used parts on the internet from that time period for not too much money, including a more realistic handlebar for that tricycle, which would be mostly flat with a small rise sweeping back.  When looking for old parts for adult tricycles, focus more on the vintage bicycle sites rather than tricycle sites, as the parts are the same as on bicycles of that era.

Q:  Hi there, my dad owns an adult tricycle and he needs a wheel bearing. Can you tell me if you have one or where I can find one? Thanks

A: When you say “wheel bearing” I assume that you are referring to a full set of bearings, probably the old cartridge type that have a metal ring with bearings inside.  These will probably be somewhat difficult to find, and it is not necessary to get this type.  Loose ball bearings of the same size packed in the hub with some grease under the dust cover will work just fine.

If you want to do the repair yourself, just go to your local hardware store and buy some appropriate sized bearings and repack the hub.  If you don’t want to or don’t know how to do the repair, your local bike shop should be able to help without any problems.

Q: I have a Triumph tricycle (two wheels in the back) and wonder if it has any value?  i did some research but could not find a Triumph three wheeler. I know nothing about antique tricycles and have been unable to find much concerning Triumph tricycles. I am wondering what i should do to gain more information? james

A: We only give valuations to users who’ve purchased our Online Tricycle Price Guide for a variety of reasons.  Triumph is an English brand of tricycle.  It was either made by Triumph or by Raleigh after that company purchased Triumph.  For the most part, vintage adult tricycles are worth what someone wants to pay to have one to ride.