Sports, Adaptive or Otherwise

Posted on: Mon, May 25 2009 2:53 PM

Posted by: ArkanzanWheeler Posts: 584

 So what are you going to do with it though? 

As for posting pics, when you are typing your posts there are images above what you are writing, the yellow smilie face on the right is a bunch of different smilies you can use, next to that is a box (it is everyones pics), and then next to that (about in the center) is a small picture of a tree.  Just click on that and it will open up a new box.  The image has to already be posted on the internet (I use Photobucket but http://xs.to/  is good also, I just learned about it).  Then get the Image URL and put it in the top box, then hit the "insert" button at the bottom of the box.  It is that easy...

Posted on: Mon, May 25 2009 3:08 PM

Posted by: TotalMechanic Posts: 52

 Ark,

 I have done something that the invacare/topend folks would probably cringe at:

I am using the handbike to learn how to weld so that I know what I am doing when I build a chopper trike!

Thanks for the advice on the photos. I was using the wrong link.

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Posted on: Mon, Jun 1 2009 6:38 PM

Posted by: TotalMechanic Posts: 52

 Anyone else have a trike/bike/adaptive vehicle that you are building or is being built? What inspired you  to take up the challenge and what your goals are.

 I have a local source for used bikes and parts, a funny little junk shop called "Fred's." Fred has an old warehouse full of odd stuff, appliances and furniture mostly but he also has a literal mountain of parts bikes and a select number of "working " bikes (Really ones that have two wheels and might roll!!)

I would post a picture of the bike mountian but was forbidden to do so by Fred himself who said, "No pictures!" "Why?" "Because people post 'em on 'youbay' or sumtin like dat."

Some web sites that I have found helpful: 

http://atomiczombie.com

http://www.chopzone.com/

 http://www.trisled.com.au/apex.html

 http://www.catrike.com/700.htm

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Posted on: Fri, Jul 3 2009 10:47 PM

Posted by: TotalMechanic Posts: 52

 It has been a while but the news is good: After getting the trike assembled it ran great! I changed a few things: Set the cranks to be parallel to each other instead of opposite, changed the hand grip post length to improve clearance, installed a new seat that was easier on the buns and has a built in light. (The seat, not the buns.)

 The top speed so far is 25 mph on a slight downhill grade.

 A co-worker, after seeing the picture of the trike: "Wow, if you keep using this thing it will be hulk-o-mania!"

 The sense of freedom is tremendous, I have been riding every day but sunday for a couple of weeks now and take it on grocery jaunts of 6 miles, round trip.

 It is unnerving and rewarding to see people gawk: I have heard, "Do your legs work?" "What is that thing?!!!" and the best at a local pub, "I'll get that beer for you." One kid almost fell out of the SUV window trying to get a good look at it.

 A helpful website for information on bike stuff, (Components, maintenence, theory, what works with what etc.) http://www.sheldonbrown.com/

 I would like to get some high PSI road tires and have got a new front wheel/cassette combo on the way. I think there is friction to be reduced with the right tires and more speed from a wider sprocket range.

 Anybody else out there spent some time in the shop or on the road recently?

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Posted on: Sat, Jul 4 2009 1:18 AM

Posted by: ArkanzanWheeler Posts: 584

 That looks like it is fun, I am trying toget a lean steer one now.  I am still looking around for enough bike parts to make my own, hopefully this winter when I might have more time...lol. 

So what size tires are you using?  I would think you want big in the front and small in the back, more like an old big wheel. 

Posted on: Sat, Jul 4 2009 9:12 AM

Posted by: TotalMechanic Posts: 52

 Ark,

A lean steer. That sounds like a challenge! Have you seen the one Varna makes, the Varna 1? It is a reverse trike config. I am tempted to try something like it but with a crank that tilts with the seat.

http://www.varnahandcycles.com/handcycles.htm

I like Varna: Stylish, innovative and a pricetag I cannot afford!

The tires on my trike are 24" on all three as that was what happened to be on the bike that I found at Fred's junk store. (The bike  met the critera: MTB with a rear suspension fork, aluminum alloy wheels to reduce weight, removeable three peice crank to make the hand cranks parallel etc.) There was a third wheel exactly the same size, type and hub, lying nearby so I grabbed it, and found a loose 24" tire of a similar tread. If I had to do it again I would have scrounged a pair of 20" alloy rims but I know more now then I did then.

My current project is a foot cranked delta trike for a relative, but the next one on the list is a truly recumbent, tilting reverse handtrike.

What sort of general layout/configuration are you thinking of?

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Posted on: Sat, Jul 4 2009 9:51 AM

Posted by: ArkanzanWheeler Posts: 584

 This is the one I amtrying to get right now: http://www.freedomryder.com/Superbike%20LC-1.htm  

The one I am going to make all depends on if I get the lean steer or not, If I do not get it then I will make a more traditional handcycle for my first one.  If I can get it then I will have more time to design and make a fun one.  I am thinking of two big wheels (26") with two cranks in sync with each other but independant brakes and one small caster wheel in the back like 12".  It would be able to turn on a dime!

Posted on: Sat, Jul 4 2009 12:21 PM

Posted by: TotalMechanic Posts: 52

 Freedom ryder.  Cool peice of hardware!

I like your lean steer concept with the tiny rear wheel. Similar ideas, sort of:

http://www.atomiczombie.com/gallery-funbike.htm

I like the idea of having two drive wheels instead of having a trike with only one real driven wheel. (I understand why they do the single drive wheel with split axle: No need of a diff.)

Lean steer is sort of tricky: a balance (pardon the pun) of steering geometry and bike/rider center of gravity. I spent about a week looking at the parts I had and other concepts out there before settling on the rake/head tube angle etc. before I cut metal. I was pleasently suprised by the blend of responsiveness and stability that I had in the end. 

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