Any ideas on how to align the wheels of an adult tricycle?
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Any ideas on how to align the wheels of an adult tricycle?
I have a Worksman tricycle and am wondering if there's a simple way to tell if it's in alignment. I think it's out because it lurches lightly to the side (bump, bump) about every three or four revolutions. If it happened every revolution I would assume it was a bent rim (the trike has only been test ridden at slow speeds on flat surfaces....never been out on the road).
Any ideas?
Any ideas?
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I have a Worksman tricycle and am wondering if there's a simple way to tell if it's in alignment. I think it's out because it lurches lightly to the side (bump, bump) about every three or four revolutions. If it happened every revolution I would assume it was a bent rim (the trike has only been test ridden at slow speeds on flat surfaces....never been out on the road).
Any ideas?
Any ideas?
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You might have excessive toe in the rear wheels. That is the only alignment angle that could cause some rear axle hop.
Look at the rear wheels. Measure the distance between the inboard sidewalls of the RIMS at the front at the 3 or 9 o'clock position depending on your orientation. Then do the same to the rear side of the rims at the inboard edge. Subtract the front number from the rear number. If the number exceeds 3/32" or 2 mm you got some alignment issues.
Also grab the wheels without weight on them at 3 and 9 o'clock and turn them back and forth (not spin them) and see if there is any play. There should be no perceivable play between the rim and the bike frame. If there is, you have excessive bearing play and need to set the bearing preload properly.
Look at the rear wheels. Measure the distance between the inboard sidewalls of the RIMS at the front at the 3 or 9 o'clock position depending on your orientation. Then do the same to the rear side of the rims at the inboard edge. Subtract the front number from the rear number. If the number exceeds 3/32" or 2 mm you got some alignment issues.
Also grab the wheels without weight on them at 3 and 9 o'clock and turn them back and forth (not spin them) and see if there is any play. There should be no perceivable play between the rim and the bike frame. If there is, you have excessive bearing play and need to set the bearing preload properly.
Last edited by MikeWinVA; 12-15-10 at 11:49 PM.
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I don't have a lot of experience with adult tricycles but, in what limited experience I do have, rear axle bearings have been a frequent issue.
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Well, there was some play in the right wheel, so I tightend the nut that holds the wheel to the axle and frame. I couldn't test it afterward, however, because part of the trike is disassembled (nothing serious). I'll find out tomorrow if tightening made it better (or worse).
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06-10-15 09:39 PM