Custom built seat frame.
01-15-10 | 08:24 AM
#1
Thread Starter
Banned.
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 825
Likes: 0
From: Sioux City, Iowa
Bikes: Vision R40 Recumbent
Custom built seat frame.
Some of you know the saga/drama I have had to deal with regarding the seat frame on my Vison R40. I have had the bike since 2001. In that time frame 5 of 8 welds have broken and been repaired.
Advanced Transportation, the company who used to build Vision recumbents went out of business and before they did the redesigned the Vision frame and seat frame. As a result I can not find an exact replacement anywhere that will work with my bike. I did find at Hostel Shoppe a seat frame that with the use of an adapter and some other adjustments to my bike would work to fit with my Vision frame. The problem is the geometery is differant than my original and it hurt my hips and lower back to ride it so I had to return that seat frame and adapters as a result.
I have been wanting to have a custom seat frame built out of 4130 cro-moly for some time. I found a shop that builds funny cars, drag racers and does custom work on classic muscle cars that can build one, but for almost $700. A new bike would cost me $1800. I gave up for a while until recently. I found another shop that builds custom motorcycles who will do it for about $300.
I have no problem paying that much. The shop owner is using my existing seat frame to get the geometry correct. It will be ready by the first week of March.
Advanced Transportation, the company who used to build Vision recumbents went out of business and before they did the redesigned the Vision frame and seat frame. As a result I can not find an exact replacement anywhere that will work with my bike. I did find at Hostel Shoppe a seat frame that with the use of an adapter and some other adjustments to my bike would work to fit with my Vision frame. The problem is the geometery is differant than my original and it hurt my hips and lower back to ride it so I had to return that seat frame and adapters as a result.
I have been wanting to have a custom seat frame built out of 4130 cro-moly for some time. I found a shop that builds funny cars, drag racers and does custom work on classic muscle cars that can build one, but for almost $700. A new bike would cost me $1800. I gave up for a while until recently. I found another shop that builds custom motorcycles who will do it for about $300.
I have no problem paying that much. The shop owner is using my existing seat frame to get the geometry correct. It will be ready by the first week of March.
01-15-10 | 10:27 PM
#4
Thread Starter
Banned.
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 825
Likes: 0
From: Sioux City, Iowa
Bikes: Vision R40 Recumbent
What year? My bike was built in 2001, before Vision redesigned the frame geometry thus changing the seat frame geometry. If your seat frames use the "top hat" style nut for the quick release it wil not work on my bike. Not only that there is serious doubt the seat frame aluminum is heat treated, thus causeing the failure.
I have said it once and I'll keep saying it. What would you rather sit your ass on? A material that has been in use and around for over 2,000 years and is tried, true and tested? Or a material that has barely been used for 200 years?
I have said it once and I'll keep saying it. What would you rather sit your ass on? A material that has been in use and around for over 2,000 years and is tried, true and tested? Or a material that has barely been used for 200 years?
