- Joined
- Jun 22, 2020
- Messages
- 7
My first trike, my first recumbent, the first welding project I've tackled in...30 years? My Covid project.
It's also been many years since I've posted on a forum, so...uhh... pix...well here's a link to the google photos album
'Broadsword' is an inside joke.
I went with 14ga tubing, and I had a big chunk of 3/16 steel plate, so all of the flat stock parts are extra solid. My welding started out pretty dicey, but I got the hang of it again after a bit. Rarely made a stack of dimes, but at least I got past the 'pile of split peas' stage in my re-learning. Using an old lincoln Wolfpack 100 wire feed flux core unit, so I had to learn how to gain control of the splatterfest it likes to create.
Some fun times:
Built the bottom bracket assembly. Backwards (doh!)
Built it a second time. ALSO BACKWARDS.
3rd time was the ticket.
Thought (too much, in all probability) about the axle shim. Ordered some 20mm OD 2mm wall tubing to make nice shims (5/8 grade 8 bolt is 15.8mm). When it came in I discovered that factory tolerances differ. Who knew right? Said 20mm tubing would not insert into a Sun Ringle Demon hub...until I inserted the tubing onto a 5/8" drill bit, taped it down solidly, and spun it for a bit into some 120grit sanding screen in my hand. Machining things is NOT my normal trade.
Seat is a variation of the original plan. Used 2"polyethelene foam (closed cell, very stiff) and cut the contours into it. Then covered that with 1" neoprene, which is so soft it's almost runny, and also closed cell so the seat doesn't soak up rain. Then covered that with some thin polyester fabric to protect the neoprene from tears.
Anyway, she weighs in currently at 60lbs exactly. My first test ride tells me I have a bunch of minor tweaks to brakes & such as expected, and a whole bunch of leg strength to regain
Thinking this unit is a great candidate for a motor...
It's also been many years since I've posted on a forum, so...uhh... pix...well here's a link to the google photos album
'Broadsword' is an inside joke.
I went with 14ga tubing, and I had a big chunk of 3/16 steel plate, so all of the flat stock parts are extra solid. My welding started out pretty dicey, but I got the hang of it again after a bit. Rarely made a stack of dimes, but at least I got past the 'pile of split peas' stage in my re-learning. Using an old lincoln Wolfpack 100 wire feed flux core unit, so I had to learn how to gain control of the splatterfest it likes to create.
Some fun times:
Built the bottom bracket assembly. Backwards (doh!)
Built it a second time. ALSO BACKWARDS.
3rd time was the ticket.
Thought (too much, in all probability) about the axle shim. Ordered some 20mm OD 2mm wall tubing to make nice shims (5/8 grade 8 bolt is 15.8mm). When it came in I discovered that factory tolerances differ. Who knew right? Said 20mm tubing would not insert into a Sun Ringle Demon hub...until I inserted the tubing onto a 5/8" drill bit, taped it down solidly, and spun it for a bit into some 120grit sanding screen in my hand. Machining things is NOT my normal trade.
Seat is a variation of the original plan. Used 2"polyethelene foam (closed cell, very stiff) and cut the contours into it. Then covered that with 1" neoprene, which is so soft it's almost runny, and also closed cell so the seat doesn't soak up rain. Then covered that with some thin polyester fabric to protect the neoprene from tears.
Anyway, she weighs in currently at 60lbs exactly. My first test ride tells me I have a bunch of minor tweaks to brakes & such as expected, and a whole bunch of leg strength to regain
Thinking this unit is a great candidate for a motor...