Dr.Deltron

Just wondering if anybody has, or had, a Thebis trike?
What should I look out for?

This one needs some TLC before it's roadworthy.
If such a thing CAN be "roadworthy"!

Any insites to this newly aquired beast would be greatly appreciated!

I'll post pics when the sun comes up, so you'll know what I'm talking about.

Floyd

Hurry up sun, I want to see the beast...

countersTrike

{hee hee hee} someone is running in the same circles as I am! I had a Thebis 201. It is extremely difficult for some people to master that delta trike, but in 2 weeks I had the rear wheel steering and rear wheel drive down pat! I really enjoyed that trike! If your becomes roadworthy, if adjusted wrong; they are tippy, but mine was pretty fast

I got info from the 1992 RCN, about the titaneum frame, gold galvanized 20" rear wheels, 24" front wheel surrounding the crank, adjustable steering, air seat, damper, 2 clutches, and U-joints (prone to break, as mine did). I towed a trailer with that trike and put a Zzipper fairing on, but pretty much left it alone mechanically.

Very tiring "upload errors" when I tried to send a pic w/trailer & fairing, but 'recumbent trikes' has a photo of one without those.

countersTrike

countersTrike

OOPS! MAGNESIUM frame; NOT titaneum.

c.

Dr.Deltron

OK, here she is...!


What a biiizaaare vehicle!
I pumped up the tires and gave it a quick spin...
I can't believe how "fast" it feels!
But the steering....that's another planet entirely!!!


and the smeeeeell!
First orer of business is, remove the seat base and run it through a vinegar wash a few times!
And a full vinegar wash for the whole trike!
Let's just say that the guy I got it from had, shall we say, a very unusual "pet" kitty.
The "kitty" used the Thebis as a "litter" box!

Once I can handle it without latex gloves ... I'll start by puting the seat on correctly.
I'm pretty sure it's upside down.
Then the ONE brake (on the front wheel) needs to be replumbed. The hoses leak fluid.
When I get the seat fabric clean and reinstalled, the steering needs some dialing-in. "Centered" is currently off to the right. And the steering "dampener" is kind of a trip.

Finally, the gears need wires and deraileur position adjustment. Then it should be ready to FLY!
I'll wear full motorcycle leathers, just because I have a wife, 4 kids & a mortgage!

I'll be posting updates as they happen.

But don't hold your breath! It'll be a long slow process.
Just removing the seat is going to take an engineering degree!
That, and removing or loosening about 20 bolts!

Any insight on dialing-in the steering would be awesome!

Thanks! Dr. D

countersTrike

Those 24" rear wheels look odd! And those tall steering handles must be extremely sensitive! The missing front fender, the straight up (possibly upside down) seat makes it very interesting- a candidate for Ripleys Believe It Or Not! (ha ha ha!)

If the steering has not been changed too much-it might have those 2 triangle shaped finger bolts to the right of the seat when sitting in it (they should be on about 2' rods running to the back axle) Loosen them, and they adjust forward/back on the two rods adjusting turning radius- one way- about 7', other way- about 20'. Should be pretty self explaining. It turns "right NOW!" so it was best for me about 2/3 of the adjustment area so it would not turn as fast. No specific place or measurement; just wherever "feels right".

It steers like a boat on wheels. Until you get the "knack"- stay away from fences or curbs! I like that front/back right turn and back/front left turning motion. After all these years- I got a 2006 JM Trike which has that same movement on a folding tadpole. A little bit of the best of Thebis!!!

countersTrike

Dr.Deltron

JM Trike? I'm not familiar with that brand. Website, pics?

Also, thanks for the steering adjustment advice. I realized that I have to disconnect a number of clamps in order to put the seat right. Which, of course,involve a number of the steering linkages.

Once it's had a bath, I'll be able to work on it.

Seeing as you are on the North end of the bay, maybe we can get together for a ride sometime.
I am usually in Aptos on Wednesdays, seeing my chiropractor. (my brother)

Anywho, thanks again for the steering insite. I'm sure I'll have more questions when I get that far!



Dr. D

countersTrike

I hope this works! All forums have blocks, size limits, or something; so none of them accept photos -except Frappr! This is my old Thebis. https://www.frappr.com/counterstrike1/photos/3114479
I have about 96 photos there; 3 of which are my JM (chop off photo number)- www.frappr.com/counterstrike1
JMs web site is www.jmrecumbents.com

countersTrike

Dr.Deltron

Works for me! Cool stuff! I like the rides on page 12 the most. That Celtic Queen has an eyecatching paint scheme!
So where & when is the "Left Coast Velomobile Gathering"? Or was that a one-time event?
Thanks, Dr. D

jeff-o

Just out of curiosity, how much did you pay for it? Hopefully less than $500...

Dr.Deltron

Actually, about $465 LESS than THAT!

It was FREE! (Except for the $35 tank of gas it took to go get it!)

And then there's the fact that it is literally covered in cat piss.
But a gallon of vinegar and a pressure washer and it'll be good to go.

jeff-o

Ah, well, then that's a pretty good deal. Clean it up and sell it on eBay for big profit!

countersTrike

Thanks- great to know the links worked! I sent them to BROL to explain construction of my Pod (the dark green blob!) but got many complaints about a bad link. The lime green/black/silver trike is the JM.

The Left Coast Velomobile Gathering began in San Luis Obispo, CA. in 2005 - it rained early (the covered one in camo plastic is mine), so I left and missed some of the show, then it was again held in S.L.O. in 2006. Once wet- twice shy; so I missed that one completely. I have no idea of future plans!

Frappr named the site countersTrike, then Slingshot, then Waw, then Left Coast Velomobile Gathering. I gave up figuring that out- I wanted it left alone. I had about half of those trikes-- not all!

By the way Jeff-o; Thebis was a genuine import from Canada.

countersTrike