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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Feb 2015
    Location
    Oz
    Posts
    615

    Default 1 finished recumbent trike

    All finished! Put the final bits to the trike and went for a test ride. Brilliant, quality cycle parts make all the difference. Whereas before I've always used bits and pieces I've scrounged from the tp, this time I used Deore cycle parts and tektro hydraulic brakes, the difference is incredible.

    Shiny seats look nice but are a little off putting going around corners so I stuck some 3mm yoga matting on top of the panels, works well.

    I had to swap the shifters left to righr and right to left to get the steer levers close to my thighs, as it turned out this has proved far better for gear changes, no longer do I grimace with pain as my PsA worn thumbs try to push the levers home, now its a breeze using fingers instead. The left side (now right) lever decided not to play, I had a look inside and thought, hmmm swiss watch stuff here, so I ordered a new one on ebay. As luck would have it I stripped the thing and messed around with it and got it to work, after spending $28 on a new one that is. But all's well that ends well I guess.

    The lever steering is king, precise and positive, even when flat out in top gear. There is a price to pay for that of course, the lever ratios are such that a U turn takes 1 1/2 lanes, but I can live with that, certainly easier to live with than losing control at 40-50 kph anyway.

    Problem now is I can't live with it knowing some of the welds are abysmal so, plans have been drawn up along with a sequential build methodology for a new chassis which I'll start one of these days
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  3. #2
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Murray Bridge SA
    Posts
    3,339

    Default

    Hi Tony, Glad to hear that the bike is finally finished. When you start the next one, if you tack it together with any bracing required, let me know and I'll finish the welding with MIG, for you if you like. I can even come around and pick it up, if required.
    Kryn
    To grow old is mandatory, growing up is optional.

  4. #3
    Join Date
    Feb 2015
    Location
    Oz
    Posts
    615

    Default

    Thanks for the offer but as you know I'm of the DIY type, the moment I farm some of the work out then I can't say I built it myself.

    I have toyed with making an aluminium chassis, but then I'd have to farm out the welding, Isame problem, just couldn't bring myself to do that.

    I'm sure the head docs out there have a name for people like me, insecure would probably be top of the list.

    I've just sold my Unimig MIG as I can weld better with a DC, but down the track I might invest in a DC three in one and have a shot with that, the Unimig was pretty old school. Just as well 'm not a tradie otherwise couldn't bame my tools so easily.

    I'll get there, probably with the aid of a bottle of pain pills but, somehow I'll get there.

    Thabks for the offer.

  5. #4
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Murray Bridge SA
    Posts
    3,339

    Default

    If you get stuck, or even require a guiding hand, the offer will still be there, if you don't tell and I don't tell, who will know.
    I know what you mean though.
    Kryn
    To grow old is mandatory, growing up is optional.

  6. #5
    Join Date
    Feb 2015
    Location
    Oz
    Posts
    615

    Default

    Thanks Kryn. Next tiime you're over this way give me a bell if your so inclined (0413259832) and come over for a sticky and a cuppa.

  7. #6
    Join Date
    Feb 2015
    Location
    Oz
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    615

    Default

    Have discovered the seating position has a few problems: I've mounted the seat too far forward which allows too much wheel slip when pedalling up hill on loose surfaces so, I'll address that first off.

    Whilst I'm at it I'll bring the steer levers closer, widen the seat base for my ever increasing butt size. I'll also reshape the seat back to give better support going around corners.

    This time I'll use 32 x 32 x 1.5 mm bright steel tube rather than RHS: slightly larger and heavier by .347 grams but, pretty sure my legs can handle that alright.

    Just ergonomics really, so! Into the bin for the old chassis and out of the shop with a nice bright, shiny, steel chassis.

  8. #7
    Join Date
    Feb 2015
    Location
    Oz
    Posts
    615

    Default

    Part way through the new chassis and then the new wireless speedo arrived so took time off the chassis to make a mount for the speedo and mirror. Simple fix, just a 300m lemgth of 12mm aly tube shrunk into a square piece of acetal for the axle mount. The speedo and mirror are housed on a bracket made from a 25mm piece of round acetal. Rather than modify the mirror, which I can get anywhere, I drilled an 18mm hole in the acetal for the mirror mount and the 12 mm aly tube is shrunk onto the speedo bracket. Simple but looks neat.
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  9. #8
    Join Date
    Feb 2015
    Location
    Oz
    Posts
    615

    Default

    Another addition: I had a spare coolant hose, normally used on my lathe, in the workshop so i fixed it to the back of the seat and mounted a water bottle to the front deraileur post linking them together with a length of retic hose.

    The coolant hose would normally be used for coolant on my lathe but, it was sapare so I put it to good use.
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  10. #9
    Join Date
    Nov 2011
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    6,973

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    So it’s still working as a coolant hose,
    Brilliant love it.

    Cheers Matt,

  11. #10
    Join Date
    Feb 2015
    Location
    Oz
    Posts
    615

    Default New chassis.

    Got up to a bit of mischief in the shed today: tacked together a new chassis to address the things I'm not happy with. This one will have a suspended rear end, I was going to suspend the seat but the the trade off with weight and height was just too much so I settled on a suspended rear end. Today I shaped some brackets and tacked them in place. The suspension will have five setting and I've allowed for 100mm of travel.
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  12. #11
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Murray Bridge SA
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    3,339

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    Very nice way of doing the shock/suspension. 5 different spring rates with the one set up, would never have thought of that one. Is that a standard bike part?
    Kryn
    To grow old is mandatory, growing up is optional.

  13. #12
    Join Date
    Feb 2015
    Location
    Oz
    Posts
    615

    Default

    Just an MTB part off ebay.

  14. #13
    Join Date
    Feb 2015
    Location
    Oz
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    615

    Default

    A little more work done on the new chassis: Completed the swinging arm and suspension as well as the squab and shaped the backrest.
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