UpDown2

Here is a quick ride report.

First off, it's a small miracle that this trike works at all with all the "guess" engineering,
used parts, and scrap metal used to build it.

UpDown 2 is stable enough to feel 'safe" on most surfaces. Need to stay off side slopes
steeper than a driveway apron.

Wheelbase is short enough to allow turns with no problem. U-turns on narrow paths
require see-saw action, but feet touch the ground and "reverse" is easy.

The "split rod" remote steering works as planned, with very little handlebar motion
needed to make turns. This keeps the bars from hitting the "stoker" sitting up front,
who is sitting very close to those bars.

The "semi recumbent" sitting position is comfortable. The back rest is there to push against
when pedling and resting.
Like all of the trikes I have built, it's a bit like taking your lawn chair with you.
Not quite as soft or large, but no need to find a bench.

The gearing turned out great.
With two 3-speeds inline, and 4 of the gears on the "dual drive" working, there is a low
enough gear to push through some weeds, and ride around the yard on lawn and rough
ground. Slow speeds of course.
The "fast" speed is around 12 MPH, with a comfortable cadence to match. Plenty fast enough
for this trike.

The front seat is about the same as the back, and stable at the speeds used. NO racing
or wild cornering.
The wheelbase is still a bit too short to have full leg extention up front with out raising the
seat up higher than wanted. Could use some more wheelbase, but that would make the turns
longer and might make the front unstable.

Overall I am glad to have built UpDown2.
There is adjustment in the seating.
The rear rider, (captian) could be quite tall and still fit. The handlebars will also adjust up.
Won't be room for a tall rider up front. A shorter adult or medium sized child will work.

Well, so much for the "quick" report. Too many words, but not everything covered.

I did spend some money on this one.
The used "Bike-E", for the dual drive and rear handlebar post, a new "Sun Trike" rear axle,
one new suntrike rear hub, a new diskbrake "adaptor" for that axle, a used disk brake
caliper, rattle can paint and a few cables.

Won't find one like this at wallmart, but you might at RRB.

Those dropouts are just the back of a tossed out bike,
I have the same thing on the back of the "frankentrike" and they
remind me a bit of a mouth and eyes, which I liked the look of.

Work great for a sortof "kickstand", just vertical.

UpDown is a fun ride, even if more slowly than two wheels.
Great to have a ready seat to sit and watch the surf or sunset.

People watching can be fun too.

I got lots of smiles, kind comments, thumbs up and such. And only a three mile ride on a weekday.
One man stopped his van to take a better look and comment.

The two folks who looked and then turned thier heads away with a frown were the two
"bike campers" , parked at the ocean overlook, and getting back onto thier fancy road bikes,
loaded down with panniers and camping stuff.

Perhaps I was smiling too much to suit them.

Anyway, UpDown can now take it's place in early morning "trike tipping".
Just say "Moooooo" real loud.

Sombody turned on the bubble machine.
I know it wasn't me, I stopped wearing a suit and tie over 50 years ago.

The summer work that was posponed by bikes has taken up my time for a while.
But having the option to "park" these trikes standing up has worked out to save space.

dolphins or not, the stand up routine is welcomed around here.

Also, no lifting involved, just tipping.

UpDown2 was a fun build, and I am glad to have been a part of BO17, but I'm done with more trikes.

At least this way there will still be 3 around if one is taken down for rebuild or paint.