I am in the process of frankensteining together a recumbent bike based on an old Raleigh 10 speed 26" womans bike. My intent is to leave the Raleigh intact (no cutting or welding to the donor bike). The approximate plan is to end up with an underseat steering short wheelbase recumbent. Shifters will stay on the steering stem (handlebars will come off for leg clearance). Anybody out there been on this path before and have advice?

maybe this site will help:

http://www.ihpva.org/Builders/