My new toy.....

[FrankCrank]

Thought it about time I posted a couple of pics of my recently built LWB:

It's built in stainless, apart from the fork, and is still at the 'tweaking' stage - gotta add a 3-speed Nexus rear wheel next. Rides like a limo, very comfy and great fun once you get used to it. My trike is sulking in the corner as it's not been used this past week

 

[fixedfixer]

Nice one. I like to see the homebuilds.

 

[Easytigers]

Looks comfy but I guess a tight turning circle is a bit of a difficulty!!!

 

[Falco Frank]

Impressive Frank, well done. Box section tubes for strength or just as it was available?

 

[FrankCrank]

....yeah, definitely a 'straight line' type of vehicle. Can do a u-turn on a 2 lane road, but only just. Also, a bit wobbly when I start off, but 3-speed wheel should help there. That said, it's perfect for the type of riding I do - usually an hour or so in a circuit near to where I live - some sealed roads and some rough tracks, and hardly any traffic. The ride is very plush, Big Apples and a long wheelbase do a great job, can't see any need for suspension at all.

Square tube - easy to build with, less fussy to make decent joints, and had some left over from other projects. If I made a mk2, I'd most likely use a mix of square and round, maybe 50/50 - each has its merits depending on application. Stainless is very cheap in this part of the world, and given the high humidity is a good choice of material. It can be tough to work with, but you soon get the knack of it.

At some stage I'd like to build a SWB - on the back boiler for now.....running out of space to keep them

Anyways, here's how the frame looked when completed - easier to see the pylon style - gives good strength to weight ratio:

 

[jayjay]

Neat job, Frank, and looks amply strong. TIG?

 

[gavroche]

What does it weight then? Cant see any brakes either or am I missing something? Great piece of workmanship though.

 

[FrankCrank]

.....'tis indeed TIG welded. It's regular 304 stainless, mostly with a wall of around 0.8mm, about the limit of what I can do with this very basic weld box. To go thinner, I'd need pulsing and a foot pedal, and better eyesight than I currently possess

Weight - well, it's comparable with a production model such as the Easy Racers Tour Easy, but bear in mind it is a one speed with coaster brake. When I upgrade to 3-speed it'll be a little heavier, but still have a coaster brake - that's all I need in the flat area I live - no need to over complicate things eh

 

[Pale Rider]

Plenty of rake on the front fork.

Is there a tendency to scuff rather than roll over bumps?

 

[BlackPanther]

Crikey, that looks strong. Just needs a nice paint job. Kudos.

 

[FrankCrank]

...thanks for all the interest shown, surprises me really.

Pale Rider: Here's a link to a great explanation of rake/ trail and tiller: https://sites.google.com/site/recycledrecumbents/mach-2-instructions
A. D. Carson has build countless LWB 'bents, and I'm inclined to think he knows his onions. Not experienced any scuffing yet, or more importantly, wheel flop. One of the joys of self building is you go on a voyage of discovery, the humble bicycle is seen in a completely different light, certainly in my case.

BlackPanther: paint stainless steel - you're kidding me??

 

[Pale Rider]

...thanks for all the interest shown, surprises me really.

Pale Rider: Here's a link to a great explanation of rake/ trail and tiller: https://sites.google.com/site/recycledrecumbents/mach-2-instructions
A. D. Carson has build countless LWB 'bents, and I'm inclined to think he knows his onions. Not experienced any scuffing yet, or more importantly, wheel flop. One of the joys of self building is you go on a voyage of discovery, the humble bicycle is seen in a completely different light, certainly in my case.

BlackPanther: paint stainless steel - you're kidding me??

Thanks, Frank.

So flop is the bigger problem.

Bicycle geometry is fascinating, although I don't claim to understand it.

I recall an Open University television programme many years ago in which the lecturer had a bicycle rig on which he could change the steering geometry.

By making a fairly subtle change, he was able to make the bike lean out on corners.

It was unridable in anything other than a straight line.

 

[voyager]

Nice .. Frank

regards emma

 

[FrankCrank]

Hi Emma - things are very quite over on AZ - never known it like that - creative juices are in short supply it seems. Hear you're planning another trike build, maybe you'll inspire a few of the lurkers to come forward and do likewise

 

[voyager]

Hi Frank

In the doldrums ( critical path analysis went wrong ) and waiting on parts . Another trike build is being planned and an upgrade to the voyager to a 2 speed Xoingda E-hub and dual battery packs , Kens trike will get a matching set of wheels as well but money is a little short at present with bills being paid , so the E-trikes are being used more and little work is getting done - But watch this space ,the upgrade should be finished before the end of the month for the July Zombie fest weekend down here in Sussex and will be documented and threads started .

regards emma