E-Trike Project

Hmm, what is ironic is that Craig, himself, is a big fan of SLAs. Why would he be pusing anything else?

Anyway, I like his builds. They are cool.

But, back to your bike, Ausie.

What are you using at the pivots on your springer? I am considering making my own front suspension for my recumbent (single leg semi springer type) and I am not too sure about how to do the pivot.

Matt
 
recumpence said:
What are you using at the pivots on your springer? I am considering making my own front suspension for my recumbent (single leg semi springer type) and I am not too sure about how to do the pivot.

Matt
Click to expand...

For the fork leg/rocker pivot i will use a simple bolt/ bush setup, i have seen the ChoppersUS springers Matt (1000watt) bought his to my place, they just use a bolt on the fork leg no bushing. The springer tube i will use the rose end joint seen in first series of pics. I would probably use one on the back also if i could afford them the 8mm rose end joint set me back ~19.50 EACH...i would prolly want something in the vicinity of 10-12mm joint for the rear tube not for strength i think a 8mm would prolly do but would look silly in such a large tube...i didnt bother asking what the larger sizes were suffice to say i think thats the direction i would have a look into Matt...ALTERNATIVELY since you da man with the machinery hehe you could pick up some Vesconite and turn up some bushes, we have a company in OZ http://www.vesco.com.au/ that sells a range of standard sizes AND makes them to order, prolly something i will look into getting to replace the metal bushes i will use first up :)
 
...Update

Not much of an update , i tried soooo hard to get these forks finished today was up at 7am and that IS a rarity...I had MAJOR issues welding the fork tubes and dealing with keeping everything aligned when welding...one of those days when everything i touched turned to shit..anywayz... I do hold two character responsible for the early finish to the days work they are seen in the last pics below along with a couple snaps of the days work-->

[
Custom_springer_forks_series_pic_3-jpg.jpg


I have been 'playing' with metal more than half my life and today i just couldnt make it happen how i wanted it to, went close to throwing everything out the garage door it REALLY got to me... LoL...finally got it happening though soz i didn't take alot of pics, what got done... i full welded the fork tubes and attached dropouts for the rockers at the bottom of aforementioned fork tubes... Everything is aligned and square...grrrrr..Looking at ~ 4 inch of trail...i would gladly pay 400 bucks to get a set of these forks delivered IF they were available...I WONT be making another set...

THEY WILL BE FINISHED TOMORROW. (minus disk brake mounts) .. i was soooo bloody close then the boyz arrived with my downfall... Jim Beam...work ceased...soz fellas...i did give it a hard crack...off to bed...

Back tomorrow...

Kim
 
looooooooool,

the boys have a look that sais your day of work is at an end :)
shit day today, good day tomorrow hopefully. lmao, must be hard to work when your boys are just layin and sippin :mrgreen:


Cheers,


D
 
haha yeah look at em dont want to show their sorry ass ugly mugs happy that they stopped the prgress prolonging the eventual YOUTUBE moment when they "attack" the likes of Greenmount hill Gooseberry hill rd Kalamunda rd Welshpool rd... oh yes they wont be so smug when they are tearing down the hill in the dark of night HOPING that my fabrication will hold up :: insert sinister laugh:: ... Must admit the guy on the left can ride a motorbike like a pro he will make the trike piss he has no fear...

Was going to edit my above post but you were to quick for me Deec...here is the addition i kust added to the other 4 forums the worklog is on-->


P>S THEY ARENT the bolts that will be used in final construction of the forks they are simply there for mock up...10mm bolts WILL BE USED
 
Update

Well... they aren't exactly finished, they still require a few tid bitz to be done and of course painted. My mate forgot to leave the 16mm drill bit with me so i could drill the holes on the end caps out so thats 'tomorrow job'...also need to drill one of the rockers holes for the axle and replace all the bolts with 10 and 8mm types... anywayz heres a few quick not so flash pics shall take some better ones in the daylight tomorrow-->

Custom_springer_forks_series_pic_4-jpg.jpg


It is a long weekend here in West Australia so will have the lads available for a lift to the Hardware either tomorrow or Monday to pick up the bolts i need (will be using allen key variety)... OH... disk brake mounts need to be added to the rockers also, shall be ordering another front twin disk hub and calipers from choppersUS next week i have decided, shall wait for these to arrive before fabricating some caliper mounts to weld to the rockers, i could have a bash now but i would only be guessing and more than likely have to do it again... I also will be making up some risers at a later date to hold the handle bars...

More tomorrow..

Kim
 
Aussie, just caught up with this thread, and I apologise, haven't read the whole thing!
However, I will note two things,
firstly, as the trike does not have pedals, it is no longer a pedal assist bicycle, so the 200 w limit does not apply.
However, it is to be a mobility scooter, there is no power limit, but there is a speed limit, and that is 10 kmh!
I've browsed some of your pics, and it looks like a nice build. Well done!
Maybe you should have built as a recumbent though? For better seat support?
Just a thought!
 
Freddyflatfoot said:
However, it is to be a mobility scooter, there is no power limit, but there is a speed limit, and that is 10 kmh!
Click to expand...


Yup good newz for me...long as i dont get caught doing more than 10km/hr i guess LoL uhm...what happens if i do i wonder hahaha either way wont be losing much sleep over it. As for a recumbent for better seat support, not really an issue, well long as the seat is well padded... Cheers for the info :)

I have also decided a slight modification on the springer forks is required, will be cutting ~40mm off the larger springs, this will obviously require lengthening the springer tube, not a biggy really take half hour to knock up a new one and i think it will look nicer, as is the springs look too long for my liking...

Back with more soon
 
Oh, the other thing about mobility scooters is that they cannot be ridden on the road! They are classed the same as a pedestrian, so footpaths only................and 10 kph!
You may want to contact your Dept of Motor Reg and see what they have to say on the subject.
One thing about Aussie law, ignorance is no excuse.....................
 
Small Update

I picked up the necessary bolts required to finish off the springer forks today. I decided to keep with the plan and use the 1/2in size bolt for the main pivot instead of the 10mm i was thinking of using..I also picked up some 8mm cap screws for the top of the forks (and the rest of the trike for that matter)

Custom_springer_forks_series_pic_5-jpg.jpg


I still want to lengthen the springer tube and cut the springs though, my bro is coming up tomorrow to check out the progress so i didn't want to have it in bitz when he arrived.

Ordered the remaining parts required from ChoppersUS yesterday, this includes :-

latest_order.JPG


This aside from the battery is everything i need to complete the build and get it up and running... I plan to buy the 48v 20ah Lifepo4 battery in ~2 weeks time.

Ciao for now ladies ;-P

Kim
 
Thanks Bubba ;)

I fabricated a completely new springer tube today, cut and welded the two sets of springs before grinding the ends flat, the forks are now how i wanted them I have
put together a few 'before' and 'after' pics to show the difference-->

Custom_springer_forks_series_pic_6-jpg.jpg


The suspension is ALOT stiffer now and the rebound springs are doing their job, the rockers i also reduced the angle of they are nearly parallel to the ground now this also makes the front ride ever so slightly higher than before. With these now finished to my satisfaction....(well, aside from the dual disk caliper mounts which will have to wait until the calipers are delivered before being made..) I shall move back toward the rear of the frame tomorrow and finish off the seat mount and weld in the motor mount fully...more soon fellas

Kim
 
Once a gain a symphony in metal! Sensational. Its like the parts just get stamped and fall out of the machine! Except the machine is YOU! Great work!
otherDoc
 
docnjoj said:
Once a gain a symphony in metal! Sensational. Its like the parts just get stamped and fall out of the machine! Except the machine is YOU! Great work!
otherDoc
Click to expand...

Thanks Doc i am happy with the end result I will of course lay some paint on them but the fab side is complete and i think i got a decent finish, well they at least don't look like they were "chewed by beavers" <--had a good chuckle when you first used that line too beavers are sooo cute i want one for a pet maybe train him to help in the workshop :shock: :p Pitty we dont have them here :: sigh :: would settle for a Wombat not native to West OZ either though :: sigh :: ....

OK.. not much to report in the way of work done, i have completed the seat frame structure thing-a-ma-jig (will add pics later) Aside from that im waiting for some 4mm plate ali to be dropped off by a mate to make a slightly wider seat pan to accommodate my ample bent broken butt/pelvis as the one now is still slightly to skinny and sitting on it more than 10 minutes getz uncomfortable aaaanywayz... my bro went out this weekend scouring the kerbside collections around the burbs and picked up among other things a 350watt Unite motor powered scooter. Has everything BUT the battery, i intend using the complete wiring loom will save me ALOT of time making one from scratch it includes the indicators, brake light, horn. charging jack, lights etc etc i will keep the lot in tact and use all the lighting from the scooter :) We were sitting there having a beer..and i got the idea whilst sittin back looking at the scoot to lengthen the body work..cut and shut it width wise to 'skinny it up' slightly, cut a position for the seat and plonk it ontop of the trike, i mocked up a photochop to explain-->

Custom_springer_forks_series_pic_8+_photochop-jpg.jpg


Now this is not a set in stone thing and probably wont happen this side of the trikes first test runs, the front fairing (collected also from kerbside is from a pocket bike) this is a definite starter and i will have some fun grafting the 2x24volt lights from the scooter into the fairing (something resembling a mid 90s Suzuki GSXR front fairing im thinking :) Although i don't intend doing alot of night riding if i do they will be there PLUS the fairing will allow easy mounting of the LCD panel/speedo etc etc...At th end of the day if it is to be passed of as a "mobility scooter" albeit a very fast one LoL i think the body work will go along way to helping this cause the plastic is VERY VERY light so will add little weight to the build and give me more area to get creative with the 'ol airbrush art hehehe :) I have also thought about using the body work as a mold or plug to make up a fiberglass number will weigh the options up and decide which direction to take at a later date...

My front disk parts are on route from USA delivery time early to mid next week i am expecting, be back with an update then if not before...

Kim
 
I just noticed recently that the exchange rate between Aus & US has gone badly for your guys :( . Is that slowing you down much?
 
I received the remaining parts required to get the bike completed (minus the Lifepo4) today-->

ChoppersUS_order_pic.JPG


~5 business days from when order was dispatched :-| Hell, i have waited longer to get items from the other side of Australia in the past Australia Post could take a leaf out of UPS's book thats for sure...

Anywayz...lil late in the day for me to get enthused about getting covered in iron filings etc so shall get stuck into fabrication of front caliper mounts first light tomorrow, hopefully have ALL calipers mounted AND hooked up with the spiffy new braided brake housing by end of the day...shall have the hub laced up proooobably next week if i'm not able to organize a trip to the local bike shop tomorrow...

Back soon ladies :p

Kim
 
Shiny bling indeed :)
love it when new parts turn up and you know you can get the bike/trike whatever running.
Come on kim, lets see this baby turn a wheel proper :)

Cheers,

D
 
recumpence said:
I was wondering what was holding you back!
Click to expand...

Lack of parts...my brothers ICE bike build and the Aussie dollar
crashing have all contributed to the trikes build stalling...TODAY however i got a couple of hours too myself and managed to get the front
caliper adapters fabricated, the springer fork rocker modified to bolt aforementioned bracket to and the calipers mounted and hooked up with the
'blingy' stainless braided cable Deec :: wink :: I also ordered some spokes so as i could lace up the dual disk hub (i did that last night)...only thing
that really went wrong was the inner tube copped some spatter (thus a hole) from the MIG as a result I have a flat tire LoL...no biggy,
i had planned on buying new front slick 3inch tire and tube regardless... as always I have 'documented' the work for those following the build--->

Custom_springer_forks_disk_brake_pic.jpg


I chose to follow the full size chopper trend and mount the caliper directly
above the front axle. Some may see i changed the original '
'template d' design slightly, the bottom was narrowed to allow room for the joint end on the springer forks tube.

Now its time for a shower feed and a beer...back soon boyz, think ill make some custom bars tomorrow....

Kim :)
 
Papa said:
Lookin' good, Kim

Have you run any CoG numbers yet?
Click to expand...

G'day Papa... I haven't done so no... I'm using the
sprockets recommended to me by a fellow builder
with similar spec setup, i also have 18 possible gea
r ratios to choose from with the trikes derailleur
gears so i hope i will find something suitable ;)

LiL Update


I knocked up a set of handlebars yesterday.
The stem i have been using is from a BMX bike,
the mountain bike handle bars had a too wide
OD to fit into the stem properly so i tinkered
with the idea of reaming them out with the die
grinder THEN i had a the idea to lop off the
lower section of the BMX bars that came with
the stem and attach it to a set of straight MTB
bars, came out alot like this--->

Custom_trike_handlebars.jpg


Also makes for a more comfortable less stooped
over riding position, i think thy turned out nice
anywayz, will paint them the colour of the
frame when time comes... OH also shortened
the brake cables to (neaten them up a lil i think)

I checked the state of the Lifepo4 pricing on
Ebay last night situation has worsened for us
Aussies :-( ping packs up around $AU1200 :-|
RIDICULOUS IMHO... I cant even get some 'fake'
pings for 700 now the cheapest is up around
800 PLUS delivery :: sigh :: I might have to
bite the bullet for the time being and grab 4 SLAs
till the dollar strengthens and the Lifeopo4s drop
in price, i just cant justify the 1200 dollar price tag
at this point in time, it would leave me penniless if
i splurged out on Lifepo4s now.... I have government
payment of 1400 dollars due mid December, if i go
the slas now ill get the Lifepo4s end of December,
hopefully by then the price has dropped not gone
up more :: sigh ::

For now, i need to make a tractor size seat for the
trike...shall have more on that soon.

Kim
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

D
Looking to build my own trike and turn it into E-Trike
Replies
7
Views
247
SlowCo
SlowCo
amberwolf
    • Like
Amberwolf's Schwinn Trike Rebuild / Conversion to Heavy Cargo Hauler
2
Replies
44
Views
3,777
amberwolf
amberwolf
E
    • Like
Adding a TSDZ8 to an older Hase Kettwiesel delta trike
Replies
8
Views
428
Eviltwin68
E
C
    • Like
Generic E-trike Build - KMX+BBS02B and trailer
Replies
24
Views
2,083
Low-and-Slow
L
P
Collapsible Trike
Replies
13
Views
1,738
Peterbylt
P
Back
Top