Sirocco - Soft Sand Trike

[mrfritz]

I grabbed some of the envisioned accessories and spent some time trying them on for size. First up, it's got to be able to carry a big cooler to have fun on the beach. CHECK! Of course it will go on an upper deck/motor mount frame that isn't there but it's obvious it's going to fit and what the deck length needs to be.

The whole point was to carry an articulated trailer that could carry people. I decided to base the seating on some simple white plastic chairs from Ikea. In this mock up you can see the reverse seat that will mount to the trailer or deck and the front facing one that be on the articulated trailer. Both need to go up about 8-10" from the height you see them at. And if you imagine another axle with fat tires under the chair in the background you're starting to see it.

Even if you're carrying a passenger you still want to be able to carry a little cooler on the beach right? No problem, when the upper deck is on it will sit a bit further forward and flat.

Of course you can put more stuff on top and bungie too! Like a battery powered mixer for Magurita's! The battery capacity is going to be at least 20Ah at 36V... and an inveter would fit so you can plug in anything you want. Humm...

With the articulated trailer attached you can fit two large coolers between the seats, or a wheel chair.

You know theres is no reason the trailer can't have a surfboard rack and maybe a canopy...

There are some sketches to be made, but the priority is completion of the primary bike drive and decks. This is a fun project and I can't wait to have it 4 blocks from this beach..

I am so spoiled and lucky!

 

[mrfritz]

Finally got shipping confirmation on the wheel set for the articulated trailer. They were on backorder waiting for an axle adapter bushing, it's unfortunate because for the trailer we could have just use a different size thought it's probably a good thing that the wheels will be interchangeable.

Colin had the trike's rear deck layed out and cut but hadn't welded it this afternoon.

 

[mrfritz]

Trike deck frame is complete. I'm leaving for the beach at 5:00 am and simply will not have time to complete the motor and shifter build out for this trip. I guess I'm ok with it, after all there will be another trip. Maybe I'll have to complete another project or two related to this while I'm down there.

FUN! I know it's going to be worth the time and effort.

 

[mrfritz]

The wheel/tire set for the articulated trailer arrived! I like the looks of these tires better than the Norco's I put on the bike. So I guess the trailer will ride smoother than the bike.

 

[user 135]

Very well thought out. Cool build.

 

[mrfritz]

The trailer axle is getting the threads cut on it right now... The odds are looking good that I may get to ride this with a bunch of other cargo bikes this weekend. I'm going to outfit it with the large cooler and a grill on the trailer if it happens. There is something very entertaining about the idea of a large load of iced beverges and a smokey joe grilling some burgers and dogs WHILE out riding in the sunshine in Seattle!

http://www.rideyourbike.com/cargobikerideeaster2012.shtml

 

[mrfritz]

She escaped the shop today! I have a little more work to button up the drive train and decking but it was her last day in the fabrication shop. This is Colin who did the fabrication and welding and simply a very talented and fun to work with bikesmith.

There were a bunch of kids in the neighborhood for a BBQ and the minute we hit the sunlight they swamped us. Even in what I think is 5th gear none of the kids had much trouble pedaling at times with up to 4 or more other kids on the back and trailer. We did have one little girl ram the back of a van so hard the alarm went off, she just had no experience with a coaster brake. The big ole surly soaked the impact up with no trouble.

It was also interesting that the trailer wheels weren't even bolted on, just didn't have the nuts. Didn't seem to matter at all they stayed on. I was also worried about what might happen when you turn it tight enough to have the trailer rub, all that happens is the bike stops uneventfully.

Eventually the crowd got so big it was difficult to manage all the kids swarming and I had to get wheel nuts... So some parents stepped in and helped separate the kids and the trike. I'm pretty sure the kids would have been happy to keep it.

It does all fit in my truck... But I can't close the tail gate...

Tomorrow I'll work on the electric drive and decks. Maybe even get a chance to take it over to Aaron's and get the transmission all hooked up. Somehow if that all happens in time for the cargo bike ride... I'll be riding it!

 

[josh_from_ga]

wow... you're taking cool to a new level!

 

[mrfritz]

Verified the deck sizes before going shopping. Both decks are 16" wide. The front deck is 31 1/4" long and the trailer is 46". My bet is I can buy some gray/white plastic garage shelves that I can cut up to fit in pretty well.

 

[mrfritz]

Now going back through.. Replacing hardware with stainless where appropriate... Adding two more teeth to the driven gear.. Adjusting the headset... Thinking about paint/powder coat... Seriously thinking about a secondary brake system that would also function as a parking brake... The details...

 

[Tibor]

I SIMPLY LOVE THIS PROJECT!!!!

VERY GOOD WORK!!! KEEP UP WITH THAT!!!

 

[mrfritz]

With Aaron's help the human power side of the driveline is complete. Ended up switching to a 3sp transmission, it has plenty of range for this and is narrower making maintaince a lot easier. Also added a band brake both for parking and as an emergency brake. I should have been more considerate of the braking from the start to be honest and next one I'm going to add disk brakes to the front wheel. Had a little time to ride it around tonight.

Riding there are a few things I have to adjust.

The seat is HORRIBLE! Ok, I knew it would be and put it on just to have something for the build but it's even more horrible than I imaged. I'm going to do a little trail and error on this but I think I'm going to end up back with the tractor seat, probably with a back rest.

The apes are too high. They get in the way for pedaling standing and are a bit of reach for riding. Not sure what I want to do.

Curbs are no problem. You just ignore them and then surprise yourself that you don't really notice them. In fact it seems to pretty much just roll and sway it's way over all kinds of things. Trike riding still feels weird compared to a bike but I may get used to it and am sure a kid would in 10 minutes.

I think with a 36t chain ring the electric motor might not even be needed. But I want the electric motor so I'll just leave the 44 on there for now. I do have the 24t cog on the trasmission.

If I weren't traveling this weekend I think I could button it up. But I am and I'm looking forward to the trip so it's parked in storage for a few days.

 

[neicull]

Fun build! Post a vid if you get a chance.

 

[lildietz]

Any updates??