How difficult would it be to run a pair of front forks?

[MikeFairbanks]

I have an extra 9c motor and enough gizmos to make a kit work, and was wondering if it would be possible for me to make a double set of front forks for a Worksman tricycle.

Why?

Why not. I'm a goof and, as many of you know, I so much enjoy making e-bikes that I want to mess around and have fun. I can't ever feel finished. I have the trike, my single-speed wannabe E-fixie, and it's either make something new or modify an existing e-bike. (on a side note: curse you, endless sphere members...you've got me hooked )

The tricycle project we have at school is fun, but I was thinking of beefing it up a bit.

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=35949&hilit=worksman+tricycle

I need to add more weight to the font end. The back end is heavy (which is good. Provides stability), and the ride through the hallways is super smooth. Feels like floating in a cloud.

But when there is weight in the back, the front wheel (with hub motor) struggles to maintain grip on the floor, so I have to baby the throttle carefully. It's like when you drive a stickshift, the road is wet, you're on a hill, and the light turns green. You have to delicately apply gas and release the clutch at the same time just right or you get slippage.


Anyway, my idea is a pair of front forks, each with a hub motor. They would either be connected to the same system or I could even run two separate systems and run two throttles (learning how to balance power).

Disadvantages: Pain in the rear to make.

Advantages: Better traction from two front wheels instead of one, heavier in the front will provide more traction, and most importantly, it'll look really cool.

There won't be any high-speed applications, unless in a straight line. I learned the hard way to slow down (significantly) when approaching corners. I had a tree jump out in front of me once.

Any thoughts?

FWIW: the triangle isn't weak. It can handle weight. That's not an issue. I'm 185 pounds. It can hold an additional 315 pounds beyond that.


Thanks

[MadRhino]

You need to quit drinking.

[Brentis]

I have thought of a few wacky things that I dont share here.
1 of them is what Mike proposes.
I found inspiration years ago from a local'ish (ThunderBay, ON) builder.
http://www.atomiczombie.com/
Look through their galleries for your own inspiration. Or buy plans from them.
Here is what I imagined you want.

RICHIE_RICH@DOUBLE_VISION.JPG (202.36 KiB) Viewed 223 times

Add that front end concept to a Delta trike & you have a sweet quadracycle.


Look what I found for inspiration today while looking for these pics.
Lovin the the scoot.

GYOG@KICKBIKE.JPG (210.73 KiB) Viewed 223 times

FRANK_VILLASENOR@PEDAL_POWER_DRAGSTER.JPG (224.94 KiB) Viewed 223 times

Keep dreaming Mr. Fairbanks, dreams enacted change people & the world.

[amberwolf]

My only caution to you is to add some sort of independent suspension to the wheels, or you will only be able to ride it (with traction) on a completely flat surface, like a wide sidewalk. Most roads are crowned, and so if you are not going perfectly straight down them, you won't have all four wheels on the ground. If there are even minor surface imperfections or variations in height, like ripples in the asphalt (pretty common on most roads), you'll have at best reduced traction on one or more wheels.

Think of a four-legged chair on an uneven surface; it rocks back and forth, with at least one leg always off the ground, unless you stuff something into the gap.


One other consideration is that in many places, a bicycle is legally defined as having two or three wheels in contact with the ground (not four or more), and a quad might get you harassed. Possibly not in your city, given the uniqueness of it, but it certainly happens here.

[MikeFairbanks]

Good point.

Looked into it and too much trouble.

I find a different project to occupy my crazy, bored mind.

[Chalo]

If you need more front wheel traction, shift the weight forward. Longer handlebar stem, tilt the bars forward a bit, rotate the seat clamp to the front of the seatpost, mount some of the batteries on a front rack.

I'm configuring a bike for my wife with a front X5305 running on 48V. Since that setup can make a decent amount of climbing torque for a sustained period, front wheel traction is an issue. I'm using relatively low and forward handlebars, and I'm putting the 20 pound battery pack on a rack over the front wheel. I'll be using a big fat street tire at modest pressure. http://www.bikeman.com/TR3744.html

22+ pounds of front hub motor doesn't hurt, either.

Chalo

[Brentis]

My only caution to you is to add some sort of independent suspension to the wheels, or you will only be able to ride it (with traction) on a completely flat surface, like a wide sidewalk. Most roads are crowned, and so if you are not going perfectly straight down them, you won't have all four wheels on the ground. If there are even minor surface imperfections or variations in height, like ripples in the asphalt (pretty common on most roads), you'll have at best reduced traction on one or more wheels.

Think of a four-legged chair on an uneven surface; it rocks back and forth, with at least one leg always off the ground, unless you stuff something into the gap.


One other consideration is that in many places, a bicycle is legally defined as having two or three wheels in contact with the ground (not four or more), and a quad might get you harassed. Possibly not in your city, given the uniqueness of it, but it certainly happens here.

If you need more front wheel traction, shift the weight forward. Longer handlebar stem, tilt the bars forward a bit, rotate the seat clamp to the front of the seatpost, mount some of the batteries on a front rack.

I'm configuring a bike for my wife with a front X5305 running on 48V. Since that setup can make a decent amount of climbing torque for a sustained period, front wheel traction is an issue. I'm using relatively low and forward handlebars, and I'm putting the 20 pound battery pack on a rack over the front wheel. I'll be using a big fat street tire at modest pressure. http://www.bikeman.com/TR3744.html

22+ pounds of front hub motor doesn't hurt, either.

Chalo

Good points AW/Chalo I hadnt considered those issues.

Heres an example with front suspension, forward weight bias & electric to boot.

I like it.