This keeps shaping up more and more. It's hard to tell from just the side angle, but are you cramping your leg travel with the front upper brace? How does it look from above looking down? Just make sure you aren't too cramped.
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- Thread starter Wildcat
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I looked at that also and it seemed like plenty of knee room, but I'll check it again tomorrow as I try to finish up all the braces and get everything lined up for the welder. Hopefully this weekend everything will be set and I'll do a test ride.
I didn't need it attached to the bike for the rest of the welding work. It's easier to work with. I cut out and trimmed some braces and that was it for today. I noticed a few spots that need more welding.
The wifey scheduled the cleaning guy to come this morning so my work got cut short. The guy who cleans does the front porch area, lanai, my shop and the garage. We pay more than he earns in a week normally here. It's still nowhere near what a janitor gets in the USA. I'll just have an early bfast.
The wifey scheduled the cleaning guy to come this morning so my work got cut short. The guy who cleans does the front porch area, lanai, my shop and the garage. We pay more than he earns in a week normally here. It's still nowhere near what a janitor gets in the USA. I'll just have an early bfast.
I ordered 4 more feet of aluminum mesh and it showed up already. I told the wife it was a cannon for the sidecar.
I did a little more in prep for the welder. The sides are ready to tack on. The front webbing has to wait until the braces are in to get the right size. I've got two pieces ready to trim for that.
Setting up to cut the webbing.
Left side.
Right side. I cut out an access for the axle.
Setting up to cut the webbing.
Left side.
Right side. I cut out an access for the axle.
The warning device showed up today. This is a real cowbell made for a drum set. I need to fab up some kind of hammer for it.
Still waiting for the welder. We have heavy rain warnings with flooding and landslides to boot, so there may not be any work done for a week or so.
Still waiting for the welder. We have heavy rain warnings with flooding and landslides to boot, so there may not be any work done for a week or so.
More stuff showed up. The ubolts for the rear mount along with the end caps for the square stock. I have to make up some brackets to go with those ubolts. The wire is to attach aluminum mesh to the sidecar and possibly to the frame and forks. That will take some trial and error.
A few hours of welding today.
It's raining fairly heavily so the work was moved into the garage. All the welding is done, even got the handlebars welded on.
I'll finish the mounts, then clean up the rough edges, sand it down and paint it. I'll do a test ride first.
It's raining fairly heavily so the work was moved into the garage. All the welding is done, even got the handlebars welded on.
I'll finish the mounts, then clean up the rough edges, sand it down and paint it. I'll do a test ride first.
I found a headlight for just under 8 bucks. It was advertised as 6 1/2" but is only 6" but still will work fine on the springer.
Any idea how heavy this beast will become?
Needs more cow bell.
I'll be working on it tomorrow morning. I'll weigh the bike and sidecar separately and see how much. I'll guess 77 lbs.Any idea how heavy this beast will become?
Whow, that's about 35 kg for us metric guys... That will be a good workout to bring this contraption up to speed!
This is looking great! I cannot wait to see it all put together. Fascinating!
Not much speed unless I'm going downhill. The weight is why I have a super low first gear, using a 32 tooth chain wheel with a 34 tooth cog. My cranks will be turning faster than the wheel.Whow, that's about 35 kg for us metric guys... That will be a good workout to bring this contraption up to speed!
I also have a set of those foot straps on the pedals for some pulling power.
I was way off. This thing weighs 110 lbs! 55 for the bike and 55 for the sidecar.
I started putting it together this morning.
Everything was going good until I tried the ubolt for the rear upper mount. The 3" ubolt was way too big. So a test ride will wait until I get a bracket or ubolt on there. The front mount went well, I used a shim cut in half to cushion the frame. I have plenty of knee room because of the laidback seat stem. I used the tiled floor as a straightedge for alignment.
I started putting it together this morning.
Everything was going good until I tried the ubolt for the rear upper mount. The 3" ubolt was way too big. So a test ride will wait until I get a bracket or ubolt on there. The front mount went well, I used a shim cut in half to cushion the frame. I have plenty of knee room because of the laidback seat stem. I used the tiled floor as a straightedge for alignment.
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Looks great assembled. Nice math on the layout.
110 pounds is a beast, but I'm sure you'll do fine with it. My Uncle Stretch build weighs 83 pounds and I have no problem riding it (and it's only a 3 speed).
110 pounds is a beast, but I'm sure you'll do fine with it. My Uncle Stretch build weighs 83 pounds and I have no problem riding it (and it's only a 3 speed).
I keep finding more things that need done. I need a shifter that's accessable, so I'll add a long cable and shift on the handlebars unless I find a better spot. I also need to fab up a couple brackets for the big headlight. Two brakes need cabled up also. The rear brake levers will be on the left handlebar on both, so I can reach over and apply both rear brakes at the same time. The front brake will be on the bike's right handlebar. That's two drum and one disc brake. And I have to trim up all the metalwork and smooth the welds as much as possible. They won't look much better but that's in keeping with the Mad Max vibe. This thing ain't going to no bike show, unless they have a ratty category.
I trimmed an inch and a half off each end of the handlebars on the hack.
I trimmed an inch and a half off each end of the handlebars on the hack.
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This is amazing! Have you considered adding a motor and making it a moped or e-bike? You have a lot of hills to climb!
The third wheel could easily be adapted to an electric motor hub. Or I could go the small chinese engine route. Maybe have one of the locals attach a 5 hp gas engine.
Even with a motor it will be nearly impossible to climb the hills in my neighborhood. On rainy days most of the hilly roads are off limits to cars as the tires just spin, only two roads going up can be used. Older cars don't even try. The way I get back home when I'm riding a regular bike is to walk it up the hill, taking a break halfway to catch my breath. But we don't worry about tsunamis up here. I have three big concrete blocks out front in case of a runaway car. Also have a tin roof hall of fame entry, especially now with rainy season it gets to about 80 decibels.
