First Build friction drive

Elmo · #31 (**permalink**) 10-15-2009, 08:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xlite

Very cool! I have been itching to try recument but not sure howthe local cops react. First I need to build a bike because the commercial ones are way expensive.

These easyracer clones are pretty easy to build. there is a site on the web that lays it out pretty well. I will look up the url if you are interested.
Elmo

NEAT TIMES · #32 (**permalink**) 10-15-2009, 11:35 AM

Elmo, Sent You A Pm. Now After Coffee I Looked At Pics Again. Put A Radiator Clamp Around The Spring Loaded Pull Starter Pawls, So The Stay In Place. Use Long Set Screws To Contac Them. Maybe Machine A Bit Off End Of Roller To Position The Set Screws Closer To Pawls.?? Ron .

NEAT TIMES · #33 (**permalink**) 10-15-2009, 11:42 AM

Elmo, I Don`t Know If The Radiator Clamp Screw Would Throw It Out Of Balance! Mike May Have It All Solved By Now. Ron

Elmo · #34 (**permalink**) 10-15-2009, 04:20 PM

Ron
Thanks for the suggestions. All ideas are welcome. I think that I am going to try it as it is now with safety wire from the pawls to the set screws and see how it works out.
Elmo

xlite · #35 (**permalink**) 10-15-2009, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elmo

These easyracer clones are pretty easy to build. there is a site on the web that lays it out pretty well. I will look up the url if you are interested.
Elmo

Thanks for the clue. Couple minutes on Google came up with this site:

WISIL HPVers projects and rumors page

I had no idea this kind of info was out there. Not only Easyracer clones but plans, photos, and detailed technical info on all kinds of DIY recumbents and similar projects. Thanks again.

Elmo · #36 (**permalink**) 10-15-2009, 09:58 PM

The WISL and IHPVA sites have been up for many years and have tons of build information.
Elmo

Elmo · #37 (**permalink**) 10-27-2009, 02:32 PM

Well I have finally got it all done except for cleanup and painting. I made the throttle linkage from a brake housing, cable and brake lever. I silver soldered the end of the weedeater cable onto the brake cable and mounted it on the right side of the handlebar. I can use the brake and throttle at the same time so that worked ok. I made the mechanism to lift the motor off the wheel out of stuff I had laying around. The lever is made of 1"X 1/8" strap. the pivot is made from a hardware store teenut and a clamp made from old tubing and barrel nuts. The detents are made with the same type clamps and strap.
Elmo

Elmo · #38 (**permalink**) 10-27-2009, 02:49 PM

I took Ol Snaggletooth for a three mile shake down ride and the little Welbro carb developed an air leak which made the mixture too lean and it overheated just before I got home. Peddled the last 1/4th mile and swapped out the carb for another one and it started raining.
Took it out for a longer ride yesterday and everything seems to work o.k. Guessing it seems to do about 20mph or a little better on the flats. Needs some help from the pedals on really steep hills. I guess the gas mileage to be over 100mpg. I did a little over twenty miles on that trip and nothing came loose, broke, or malfunctioned. I will report back when I get some more miles in. I am very satisfied with it.
Elmo

NEAT TIMES · #39 (**permalink**) 10-27-2009, 08:23 PM

Elmo, That Should Be A Dependable Ride. Looks Neat. Keep Us Updated. What Kind Of Groceries Are You Going To Haul In The Back??? Lol. Ron

Elmo · #40 (**permalink**) 11-05-2009, 12:05 PM

I have about 100 miles on the bike now. Every thing is staying together. I took a nice ride this morning into town and had a cup of coffee with my sister and brother. It was kinda cool when
i left home, 45 degrees. On the way home I got on the Natchez Trace and met a bike tourist type going the other way and he gave me a big smile and wave. Later on I met one on the Lance Armstrong wannabe's only got barely a wave in return to my greeting. Guess I should expect that, I have three strikes against me with that crowd, jeans & shirt, recumbent bike and a motor. Went by the bank drive thru on the way home and the ladies inside all came and looked out the window. Folkes here aren't used to MAB's. AFIK there is only one other in town, a cruiser with a china girl motor pulling a trailer. It sure is a blast to ride this thang and get all the puzzled looks fron the driving public. It was worth the effort to build it. Now I hope the weedwhacker motor will hold up for a while.
Elmo