MazdaFlyer
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4th of July just around the corner.
BO15 WAHA-SEDB-3 (TRIKE-TOR...2nd Place)
- Thread starter MazdaFlyer
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4th of July just around the corner.
MazdaFlyer
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I also roughed out the mounting for the scary IED battery tube. I filed a couple of grooves in the tops of the end caps to get some positive centering on the straight bar.
I found a couple of 1” pipe brackets that I’m thinking I’ll replace the perforated flat bar with. Temporary wiring connections back in place, waiting on a better horn button to arrive.
Again still on lift a few pieces of hardware got some ebony stain on them to blend in with the cross member. A few selected pieces are getting the aging treatment to dull the the shine. Some will retain their bling.
Some of the longer bolts are getting changed out with shorter vinegar treated nuts and bolts.
Snake skin in tree...hoping the garter snake.
I found a couple of 1” pipe brackets that I’m thinking I’ll replace the perforated flat bar with. Temporary wiring connections back in place, waiting on a better horn button to arrive.
Again still on lift a few pieces of hardware got some ebony stain on them to blend in with the cross member. A few selected pieces are getting the aging treatment to dull the the shine. Some will retain their bling.
Some of the longer bolts are getting changed out with shorter vinegar treated nuts and bolts.
Snake skin in tree...hoping the garter snake.
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You need to hit that button twice but quickly to make it sound like Saturday Morning. And always have a long pause afterwards before any more beeps 
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MazdaFlyer
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Changed out some hardware with shorter and “aged” bolts and nuts. Acorn nuts stay shiny.
Cooking the ones I took out plus a few others for future use.
The more exposed pieces involved in the steering system are retaining some shine and will be left to weather on their own.
Cranking towards the finish line...
Cooking the ones I took out plus a few others for future use.
The more exposed pieces involved in the steering system are retaining some shine and will be left to weather on their own.
Cranking towards the finish line...
MazdaFlyer
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I’m estimating I’ve put around 180 hours in this build so far. At a low minimum of $20 per hour, that’s $3,600 for labor, less parts. So I’d let it go for $4,000. These old bikes are truly money pits.
Anyone else keep track of their time and costs?
Anyone else keep track of their time and costs?
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I could rattle off what I paid for each part and what each part is actually worth, but I've never kept track of my hours on a build. No realistic way to factor that into the "value" on these customs, because that's really not going to carry any weight with most buyers. You can tack on some artistic dollar value, but not many buyers are gonna pay for labor. The most I have ever sold one of my customs for is the $2000 that I got for Rockafella.
MazdaFlyer
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A Lot of custom frame and bike builders out there that are recouping their labor costs. The North American Handbuilt Bicycle Show is a good place to see some over the top builders, even a few rat influenced bikes at the last one I went to. Had planned to go to the Dallas one back in March but along came the virus.
The new manufactured high end bikes are surely recouping their labor costs as well.
My previous point relates to the effort put into a bunch of these build off bikes that are never recognized for their value when it comes to the voting. People may look at one picture and make a decision. The value of work and effort tends to get lost in the shuffle.
I realize old bikes are usually worth more in original condition. Old bikes personalized tend to be a losing issue in terms of dollar value at ownership change. And everyone seems to want a bargain. Fair pay for labor is an ongoing issue out there for sure.
The new manufactured high end bikes are surely recouping their labor costs as well.
My previous point relates to the effort put into a bunch of these build off bikes that are never recognized for their value when it comes to the voting. People may look at one picture and make a decision. The value of work and effort tends to get lost in the shuffle.
I realize old bikes are usually worth more in original condition. Old bikes personalized tend to be a losing issue in terms of dollar value at ownership change. And everyone seems to want a bargain. Fair pay for labor is an ongoing issue out there for sure.
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The Renaissance Man
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I really like the rear wheel, tire and fender set up. That tire fills up the fender nicely! 
I don't consider working on bikes labor. It's entertainment!
How much would you pay per hour to have access to a complete shop with hundreds of old bikes to do what ever you want with? You would always need one more hour to finish up.
Like an American Pickers amusement park for classic bikes. Imagine a huge barn with people lined up ready to enter. The sound of hammers, grinders and shop music fills the air. There's BBQ and refreshments outside. You pay your fee, get your hand stamped and go in and grab a frame from the long rack and start in. Shelves of fenders and chain guards. File cabinets full of parts. New tires and everything you might want are on sale too. Pictures of rat bikes line the walls. There's a shop guy to ask for advice and help. After four hours or so you're done for the day and go home with a custom bike you made yourself or come back to finish it up. Quality time.
How much would you pay per hour to have access to a complete shop with hundreds of old bikes to do what ever you want with? You would always need one more hour to finish up.
Like an American Pickers amusement park for classic bikes. Imagine a huge barn with people lined up ready to enter. The sound of hammers, grinders and shop music fills the air. There's BBQ and refreshments outside. You pay your fee, get your hand stamped and go in and grab a frame from the long rack and start in. Shelves of fenders and chain guards. File cabinets full of parts. New tires and everything you might want are on sale too. Pictures of rat bikes line the walls. There's a shop guy to ask for advice and help. After four hours or so you're done for the day and go home with a custom bike you made yourself or come back to finish it up. Quality time.
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I'm around $350 in cash and I'd estimate 22 hours into Mudd. I always think of my hobbies in comparison to other hobbies like golfing. You buy clubs, balls, tees, bags. silly looking clothes. Then you pay your green fee, cart rental, martinis, wagers. So I guess the time and money outlay are just the costs of admission.
[edit] I definitely get your pondering on whether effort in is considered in judging. For me, it does. I also consider the skill level of the builder and the tools and workspace available if known. I look for the "in the spirit" of ratting in all the bikes and it shows in the final product. My build isn't so much rat as it is Kustom so I'd take points off it when doing the final ranking.
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this thing is really fun.
MazdaFlyer
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This old Trike-Tor aka @OddJob continues to keep me occupied in the cool of mornings.
I replaced most of the final aged hardware today, still waiting on final horn button.
I took it for a spin, couple of blocks. Our street has a noticeable elevation change. It also has a pretty good crown to gutter drainage slope...it’s not flat or level!
Our neighbor, an older lady came over a few days back and asked if I work on bikes...Dah. Anyway she said she had an older trike she had gotten from her dad and said it pulled to the right, could look at it. I said fine bring it over some time. Well the light bulb should have went on at that moment.
I’m assuming that might be why you see so many used adult tricycles for sale. Since the dual wheels follow the lay of the land, so does your body. Thus so be it with Trike-Tor.
I’ve ridden this project numerous other times and rather ignored the main glitch, the lean with the slope of the ground or pavement. On my ride today I stayed away from the gutter and tried to lean to the high side of the slope, feels weird but seems to work. Somewhat opposite of what feels normal. Live and learn, you can teach an old dog new tricks. I need to bring my trailer home, load this sweet hunk of metal up and find a level paved area for a better test ride experience.
I’ve played with some pivot ideas for the solid cross beam but every thing I’ve come up with so far tends to cause some interference with the steering setup. I hate to add more weight but I think I’ll add some failsafe steel reinforcement to the wooden cross beam.
Yes this thing really is fun @ifitsfreeitsforme!!!
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MazdaFlyer
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My horn button arrived. I ordered a red one, they sent a black one over a week late. It would be great to be able to buy parts local.
Bilingual packaging and made in China.
Bilingual packaging and made in China.
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Maybe they thought you wanted red wire.glad I didn't have to order a lot of stuff with all the problems people been having getting stuff and the right stuff.
No local car part stores?My horn button arrived. I ordered a red one, they sent a black one over a week late. It would be great to be able to buy parts local.
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MazdaFlyer
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Went to the one closest, didn’t have anything, no offer to order something. So jumped on eBay found a red one ordered it. Problem solved wrong. Service seems to be upside down everywhere you go.
