Help Building Up Invacare XLT Handcycle for a friend.
 

What's up everybody? I don't really spend much time on this forum and am very new to these kind of bikes. My good buddy dropped off an Invacare XLT handcycle that I told him i can help put together for him. He bought it used, so I believe there are missing wheel pegs/skewers unless I am missing something completely. I will spend time with it later taking some pictures so, you guys can tell me if I am doing it correctly.

I appreciate all the help and my friend who has been paralyzed for more than years will be very happy to have good fun and exercise. I can only imagine how nice it must feel considering I know how I still feel every time I get on a bike.

If anybody has any tips or tricks to help putting one of these bad boys together, let me know. I have the Fork and Seat, and handcrank/stem on. The rear wheels I can't put on until he brings his wheelchair over and we can try whatever pieces off of his chair on the cycle.

-X

Owner's Manual/Maintenance (PDF) It does have assembly and upkeep instructions.
The rear wheels should have threaded axles. I bought mine new so I only had to put the rear wheels on.

Can you post a picture of the crank/brake assembly as well as the thread in rear axles or the ends of them going into the wheels? Thank you!

I should have noted, i was looking at the manual. But it is not that in depth. Doesn't even mention that it uses domestic tools instead of standard metric.

Here's a link to the photos, I wasn't sure how close up you needed, let me know if you need different shots. Your friend's wheels might be a quick release, not threaded.
http://s176.beta.photobucket.com/use...20construction
You might also ask a local bike shop for help.

You are the man. i just bought a new camera so i can take some pictures of what i am dealing with. It's definitely a sweet looking machine, but much different than i expected it to be in regards to similarities to a standard road bike. much more like an IGH recumbent build.

What is the deal with the 2 sets of brakes up front? Are there things i should be telling my buddy to pay attention to fo upgrades? his only has a single brake.

The standard XLT has a reversing drum brake, the brake on the fork is a parking brake, used to steady the bike while getting in or out. Mine is the PRO model and I opted for two full brakes without the parking option.
His bike should also have 7 speeds, mine has 27.

As far as upgrades, it depends on how far he's planning on riding.

All good information. and correct from the appearance. I am sure he knows most of that, but as I said. i am completely new to these things. I think it is definitely missing the wheel nuts or skewers. His is the 7 spd standard XLT.

I would use the threaded axles if you can get them, more theft proof and you don't need to remove the wheel to fix a flat. However, the QR style might be better depending on how your friend might be transporting his bike.

Yeah, the bike transport is deasily the biggest downside to this type of machine. But he has a big mini-van and hand controls that I would assume he would be transporting it in.

Pat, Do you have a picture of the brake lever setup? Also, do you have a picture of the full chain routing? My buddy dropped off the QR skewers which fit just fine. I have the seat and steering piston and wheels installed.

I'll post some shots in the morning.

Pictures are up. Same link as above.

Thanks again pat. I will be sure to give you props when he rides it the first time.

I do see that your bike is completely different. His bike has 8 spd IGH front hub and a single brake lever. He definitely does not have the things sticking off the the front fork to attach the levers to. I'll take a pic or two and show you what I mean.

Here are a couple pictures. Rear wheel with QR from his spare wheelchair, Profile, and Front Wheel and Drive.
http://liveoncenjoy.com/SMF/MGalleryItem.php?id=651http://liveoncenjoy.com/SMF/MGalleryItem.php?id=652http://liveoncenjoy.com/SMF/MGalleryItem.php?id=653

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...,d.eWU&cad=rja

Here's the user manual in PDF format. If you have trouble downloading it, let me know and I can email you the PDF.

It covers assembly, fitting, parts, the works for all the XLT series handcycles. It also includes general safety info in mounting and dismounting the cycle, etc.

It looks like in the manual they have it mounted to the stem tube. I guess that makes sense. Thank you Tom. I did look at the manual already. it does not explain how the chain guide cog works or where it assembles. There is more to the chain than just crank/wheel as the pictures and directions show.

There doesn't appear to be a chain guide cog on the XLT or XLT Junior spec or diagrams. That bar looks to just keep the leg out of the chain and it looks like a fairly straighforward single speed drive train like a beach cruiser has.....no extra cogs or derraileur.

Sportaid product page for the XLT. You can zoom in real close, right side only. I do see the parking brake lever mounted on the seat frame.

Pat and Tom, thank you very much for all the help. Here are the pictures of the finished product.

http://liveoncenjoy.com/SMF/MGalleryItem.php?id=660http://liveoncenjoy.com/SMF/MGalleryItem.php?id=661http://liveoncenjoy.com/SMF/MGalleryItem.php?id=662

Looks awesome. Let us know how the first ride goes.

My first ride went swimmingly. ;) I rode it for about 20 minutes while I was adjusting stuff. He hasn't had the chance since he said he had trouble getting rear wheels to lock in. I'll help him out with it tomorrow.

I saw a tabby cat in the assembly pictures. Can you get the cat to pose on the seat of the finished bike?

Its funny you mention that. I already gave the bike to the owner, but I have twin tiger cats and they both slept in the seat together for two nights. I wish I took a picture before they saw me coming and jumped off.