The Above Photos show a Trike which my Uncle Dave recently acquired . The chain needs oil, the tires look dry rotted. It's going to be a restoration project. A "Basket Case". The previous owner wants the mirrors back.

Your advice and encouragement is invited. This just came up, I didn't know about this Trike until 14 hours ago, and the photos were just taken 45 minutes ago. I was thinking about working on Fewer Bike projects, and concentrating on riding more. This Trike is going to take a few hours of my time. Should I replace the chain? or simply oil it? Tell me what you all think.

I restored an old mtb last summer for my younger daughter and the chain looked just like that. I oiled it and it's working just fine but my daugther ride less than 400-500 kms in a year.

If you just oil the chain you can see if anybody likes riding it before you start spending money on new parts.

That's the kind of advice I was looking for, Thanks!

After you see if you enjoy riding it, take a look at the frame - if has cracks, it's probably not worth fixing. Then I'd say the chain, chainwheel, and sprockets probably all need to be replaced. Anything else with rust on it needs to at be checked out and possibly replaced, but some of the hardware might just need cleaning. I'd also tear down the bearings (headset, BB, hubs) and repack them, if not replace them. And as you pointed out, the tires are probably rotten. The front brake cable and pads probably should be replaced as well. The frame could probably stand to be stripped and powdercoated as well. All in all, a lot of work.

Sounds like fun

if the chain still squeaks after you oil it, and you like it, then you should get a new chain. you can also check it for chain stretch. the fact that it's rusted may mean it will break sooner but i would worry about that when it happens (unless the trike gets put into heavy service or something)

for more restoration tips i'd check out the Classic and Vintage forum

unless the rust caused structural damage, it's just cosmetic and can be removed using various techniques.. definitely don't toss parts just because they are rusty

The headbadge made me snort!

Hi,

The tyres are probably still fine unless UV damaged but very innappropriate.

Probably the best tyres you could get for it are good rolling wheelchair tyres.

rgds, sreten.

The matching insignia is on the chain guard... The frame appears to be Red, with a home-brew top-coat of black primer.

The rear basket will be used for carrying two small Dogs, shtzus, or some breed like that. I figure I will line the basket with Coroplast, so their legs don't get caught?

i don't know about wheelchair tires but yeah you don't want knobby tires on there.. they will just slow you down. slick tires are much better

i think it will make a great project and probably can be made rideable with some oil and a pump

i dont think you should line the basket for carrying small dogs
just leave it open and then the dogs will stay where you put them
and you can carry a half dozen or more

Replace everything rusted to the point where buying a new one would be more worth while. Like the chain.

In reply to all your comments:

The Owner wanted Knobbies. I got him Knobies with a ridge down the center of the tread. Sea Cliff , Long Island, is a very hilly village, with lots of trees that drop leaves in the autumn .

Yes, The Trike IS ridable, with air in the tires and oil on the chain. The chain we will keep, but the tires are falling apart. The right rear leaks from the valve stem, but the cap is holding the air in. I spent $94.60 on new tires and tubes.

My Uncle is interested that maybe I should put a roof on it and turn it into a Velomobile. Lots of Coroplast!

Follow-up: We may be pouring money down a bottomless pit, here. The rims, upon changing the tires, I realized are so rusty, we may need new rims. Arrrgh!

Furthermore, the Trike only has a front calliper brake, NO rear Brakes whatsoever.

polish the rims with steel wool and they will look good as new

i dont understand the drivetrain
is there a freewheel or is it a fixed gear (no coasting) drivetrain?

From the pictures, it looks like it's a one-wheel drive - no differential gear or live axle or anything. The sprockets look awfully close together - I've never seen that arrangement, a manual 2 speed? I can't tell if it's a fixed or freewheel from where I am.

No, the right rear wheel is the driven wheel. the larger sprocket is welded to the smaller sprocket, I guess someone at one time, wanted to lower the gear ratio, with a welder.

Previous owner had covered up much rust with aluminum / silver paint

It is freewheel, but only the right rear is driven.

I've been looking for something like that for 6 months, and in that shape,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,