2/3 scale Indian Straight Four.

[Repliconics]

Trevor, do you plan these bikes out before you start, or do they just evolve as you go. I can't even imagine where to start on something like that.

I've never really been able to work to any real plans.
I just start building!
To me plans require a commitment to the object or part being as shown.
I much prefer to make things the way I'd like them to be, rather than their suppose to if you know what I mean.
For that reason I guess I'm sculpting more than building.
I quite often refer to my work as Sculptural Mechanics.

Evolve is a good way of explaining the way I work.
In the case of the Indian the first thing I made was one of the barrels.
Then add everything else around it.
More or less letting it grow.
With the Brough just looking at it I'll probably start with the crankcase.

So I pretty much just build from some reference photos, and try to keep things looking about right.

Cheers mate
Trev.

[Repliconics]

After some messing around I've pretty much got the other footplate done.
I realised as I was taking a picture of it that it's a copy of a fake.
Doesn't seem very classy some how.
But never mind does the job.



I'll get them mounted on the bike then get stuck into the wheels.

Cheers
Trev.

[Skew ChiDAMN!!]

Yeah, the crispness of the lines isn't quite there. Nevertheless, given what you've been using it's an amazing job!

You could always grab some sandpaper and rub 'em down, "rounding" over the edges to simulate years of wear... (and add some scrape marks along the outside edges for versimilitude) but I somehow I don't think that's what you're aiming for.

[Repliconics]

I made the lower section for the footplates today.
All I need now is the brackets.





Hopefully they'll be done by tomorrow night.

Cheers
Trev.

[Repliconics]

I was quite happily working away on the brackets for the footplates when I had one of those "Hold The Bus" moments.
The question of what's going to brake first if someone steps on it came to mind.
I was making the brackets out of steel nice and strong, but the footplates themselves are little more than 3mm MDF.
If it does get broken I'd rather it be the bracket and not the plate, the brackets are much less trouble to replace than
the footplates.
So I've changed over and made the brackets from wood.



It's a bit of a shame that I need to even allow for the possibility of things being broken on the bike.
But it's better to be safe than sorry.

Cheers
Trev.

[DaveTTC]

those foot plates are a thing of beauty.


Excuse my tardiness and absence and no I dont have a note but give me minute and I might write one.

Not sure what webhosting you using for pics but I find photobucket works ok ... if you have something better love to know.

On that note I have another 20 posts to look thru on this thread


Dave the turning cowboy

turning wood into art

[Repliconics]

Thanks Cowboy glad you like the footplates mate.
I'm pretty happy with the way they've come out.

I'm using the bucket for the pictures seems to work well.

Cheers mate
Trev.

[johnnie52]

Well I've been a bad boy but I have an excuse!

Just read through 5 pages and I must say that nothing I've seen has let me down. The entire work is spectacular!

On to the excuse, I've been busy helping a friend get a new forum up and runing and spending a lot of time with my physical therapist in an effort to finally hang up the cane and walker! So far I've been able to actually walk on my own, unaided, for fifty feet before my legs get too tired to continue. (that's 15,240 mm or 1524 cm not sure which is proper to use)

[Repliconics]

Hey Johnnie
Most important thing first really glad to hear that your doing so well with your mobility that's great mate
The website sounds interesting you'll have to give some intel when you can.

I'm having a great time with the Indian.
I've just got a little bit of cleaning up on the footplates to do.
And then get started on the rear wheel.
Brakes, drive train, speedo all that stuff.
Mind you best I make the actual bike stand first so that I have good access to the wheel.
At this point I don't think I'd be to pleased if it fell over.

Anyway mate its great to hear your doing so well.

Cheers
Trev.

[Treecycle]

Will you be making a wooden chain for this Trevor?

[Repliconics]

Will you be making a wooden chain for this Trevor?

No mate I'll leave that level of craftsmanship up to John (Brilliant Work)

As you know my work is based around the premise of a billycart.
Even though the Indian has two wheels I like to stick with the theme.
All made from recycled materials and things you find around the house.
So bicycle parts to me are fair game

I'll use the front sprocket from a bicycle as the rear sprocket on the Indian.
And run the chian to the small sprocket I already have on the gearbox.
Which is from the rear wheel of a bicycle.

It does the job and pretty much looks the part.
As specially when you put the chain guard over it.
It makes it hard to tell that the scale is not right!

Cheers mate
Trev.

[Repliconics]

Well it's nice to have the footplates finally on the bike.
Now I can move on with the wheels.
The first thing I need to do is make the stand for the rear.





After the stand is made I'll be able to get a lot more access to the rear of the bike.
Making it much easier to work on the drive train.





I'll take a trip down to Joe's shortly to pickup the modified front wheel his done.
I can't wait to see it.
It will make the front end look spot on with the drum brake!
While I'm there we'll nut out the setup for the rear as well.

I've got to say that's the great thing about this forum not only do you get to know some great people.
But if you need a hand with some advice or even making something people are there to help!
You've got to love it

Cheers
Trev.

[Keith_1]

Hi Trev,

Thought you had gone on holidays - hadn't seen your work for a while. Looks like you have been putting in long hours. The bike is looking great.
I have been trying to get plans on the Lion (Titfield Thunderbolt) from UK. Having bit of trouble with responses. Oh well can't do much about it - too far away.

Keep up great work

Regards

Keith

[Repliconics]

Hi Trev,

Thought you had gone on holidays - hadn't seen your work for a while. Looks like you have been putting in long hours. The bike is looking great.
I have been trying to get plans on the Lion (Titfield Thunderbolt) from UK. Having bit of trouble with responses. Oh well can't do much about it - too far away.

Keep up great work

Regards

Keith

No holidays mate I've been doing a quite a bit of base painting on the Indian.
Laying down coats of primer and cutting them back.
Mainly on the tank and mudguards their the main parts of the bike that stand out
when it comes to the paint finish.
So I like to get the best base I can on them before they get hit with any colour.

It's a little time consuming but quite therapeutic as specially at 3 in the morning.
The best thing about working at this time is you can pretty much be sure no ones
knocking on the door or ringing!

I'm really looking forward to the Lion build.
It will be a great one

Cheers mate
Trev.

[crowie]

No holidays mate I've been doing a quite a bit of base painting on the Indian.

It's a little time consuming but quite therapeutic as specially at 3 in the morning.

Trev.

At 3:00am in the blessed morning [quote: MASH Colonel Potter].....
That's the middle of the night and one should be making zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz's, not sanding and painting....
Maybe a holiday is due Trevor.......