bkentr

Hi,
New to this site, so many places to put things, I'll start here, since i'm 68, and been riding since I was 7.

This trike is home built, made from "recycled" bikes, and other stuff laying around the shop.

Started it for a friend, who wanted it for his wife, but after test riding a few times, I'm going to keep it. Those folks moved away as well.

All used parts, had on hand, no cash outlay. Not even painted yet.

There's a close up of the gearing, the use of "fork" sections to mount the rear axle, and of the "drive shaft"
using two 1/2" drive impact universals to connect.

Ride is very comfortable, though not fast. Use for short trips to the post office, Dairy Mart, Bank and such,
any time I need to carry small stuff.

This turned out to be a lot better ride than I thought it would be.
the cost was right.

kent r

Wildwood 

Welcome to the 50+ Forum.
Always nice to get new members.
Especially inventive ones.
A utility vehicle that get used is the most practical application for human powered vehicles.
Congrats.


Will have to look up Veneta - never heard of it.


Nice, west of Eugene - bet you have some good roads to ride in the area.

BobbyG

Nice!

reverborama

That's pretty cool!

JohnDThompson 

Looks nice. No differential, though. How is it with corners?

Maelochs

Powerslides.

hagak

It appears to only be driving one side so no diff required.

DiabloScott

It would be cool if he could control both back brakes independently.

mr_bill

I love the half shaft by Craftsman. Kudos.

-mr. bill

Retro Grouch 

I love it too. I loved all the details like the socket set half shaft and how you tensioned your secondary drive chain. I wasn't quite able to figure out your rear brake cable routing. No out of pocket cost is more easily said than done. Congratulations.

bkentr

Yes, one wheel drive, works fine on pavement, and at moderate speeds.

No freestyle powerslides wanted, I don't bounce like I used to.

the use of impact universals did work out great, tried solid shaft but it bound up.

Rear cables routed through the arms the support rear axle, should be visible in pic.

Love the challenge of taking what other people throw out and making something useful.

Lots of old bikes around to recycle parts from.

thanks for your replies and comments. kentr

bkentr

Here is another "recycled" bike,
Could go almost anywhere on this site, but will post here.

Started off as a Haro BMX, cut off rear stays, added seat tube from a 10 speed, used Huffy cranks
and chainrings, laced up my own wheels, also recycled, used the forks, stem, and handlebars from a Redline
Styler that i first assembled in 1985. The long tubes are exhaust tubing bought from Napa.
Bought new seats.

Please check my first post, "Old rider,new to forum" in the introductions sub forum, if you have not.
Has some pics of some the other bikes, and more info.

kentr

Maelochs

When I think of the debates about bike tech in some threads .... versus "I took a Huffy and some exhaust tubes and made .... "

Awesome accomplishments. I will have to check out your other creations.

rumrunn6

looks like fun!

BlazingPedals

THAT'S what I think when someone says they "built a bike." Well done!

bkentr

Thanks for your replies,

I now have 4 more bike projects lined up for this year.

A Redline Thrasher, converted to a "Fun Bike" , that was damaged in last years fire.

The aluminum custom hybrid, mild chopper, 20" rear,6speed,24" front, that had it's rear stays melted off in the same.

A 'Viking" steel frame from the 70's that was a gift, but way too tall, 59CM, and no wheels. I need around 54 CM.

And a custom bike trailer for a friend who seems to love wild bike projects. I have yet to see the pics of what he wants. Ted is the man who bought the velocipede I built a couple of years ago, then had me build a smaller one
for his kids.

The Viking is special to me because it has Nervex lugs and double butted tubing.
I have been wanting to build a bike with those lugs to replace my first 10 speed from 1974 that had them.
Not that the frame is the best frame ever made, I just like the way those Nervex lugs look.
Also, the Viking was the bike that belonged to the brother of the man who gave it to me, and meant something
to him. He was hoping I could fix it.

kentr

AlmostTrick

Quite impressive! Thanks for posting.

JanMM

He really did! Solid-looking stuff.

bkentr

These pics could go in another sub-forum or thread, but I just described then here.

the Viking has been "sectioned" but not welded yet, 700-C rims and tires from a used bike
bought last night, and handle bars from the Specialized Allez that burned up.
This build will end up costing me. Goal is $100 to $200.

The Redline was a nice green and polished silver. Stainless spokes, now smoke yuch.
Extra solid ride when last used.

Don't know the name of the aluminum hybrid. The forks came from a 27" road bike. Found that
BMX pinch pull brakes will work with a 24" x 1.75 rim.
I have an aluminum "Tag Along" to use the rear stays from, to replace the melted ones.

bkentr

pics

bkentr

more pics

BikeArkansas

Wow

DarkMonohue

Kent, you remind me of a late friend and mentor of mine who never asked whether something could be done - he simply did it. Nice job.

Also, nice to see another local around here.

If you get the chance and haven't been yet, swing by the Center for Appropriate Transportation in Eugene. Aside from the used bikes and parts business, they have a sort of museum of unique, obsolete, and generally interesting human-powered machinery.

bkentr

Hi Dark,
When it comes to assembling,cutting,welding and recycling old bikes, something to consider is that all those
NEW bikes that people buy, sometimes for a lot of money, were also welded and assembled by people.

I have been to CAT. Been buying stuff from them for 25 years. To my thinking they used to have better
deals, more selection, and a more welcoming atmosphere.
I remember when that Chinese "Ordinary" was new. I almost bought it. They wanted around $400, now they
won't sell it.

It does seem that quality/mid range 10 speeds are getting harder to find, now they are called "vintage" or "classic".
There out there, but bring higher prices.
Not that long ago, once friends found out I was fixing bikes again, they would bring bikes by to get rid of them.
Sometimes 4 or 5 at a time. Big ones, little ones, 10 speeds, mountain, some were very nice, most were junk.

Still have folks drop of bikes, from time to time, but mostly 26" bigbox mt,and cheapo kids bikes these days.

One comment about the PNW, west of the Cascades. It rains a lot. Love it or not, that's what keeps the
place green. So much of our country is dry, or irrigated, and not so green.

I like the green, feel at home here, and it makes the rain/fog/drippie bearable.

kentr

DarkMonohue

Your statement reminds me again of my old friend. One thing he told me, probably more than once, is that it's only metal. It doesn't know or care what it's doing. Granted, that is more true with some things than with others, but it does temper the stigma of cutting and grinding and welding on stuff.

No surprise that you've been to CAT. I think I know what you mean about the atmosphere there. I get a warm reception from one of the employees, and one of them can barely be bothered to exchange greetings.

Your comment about the perceived value of oldish bikes is ringing true right now. I'm trying to find a second bike for my wife and there's no shortage of crazy asking prices on very mundane bikes. Low-end Schwinns are priced comparable to modern bikes with far better components, and really cheap stuff sold at hardware stores is apparently worth even more.

Anyway, keep the project pics coming. If I end up with anything I don't need, I'll let you know.