The Bent Zombie Tribrid Tadpole Trike

Re: The Bent Zombie Tribrid Tadpole Trike (build phase)

Nope, yup & I've no idea really

Re: The Bent Zombie Tribrid Tadpole Trike (build phase)

Well, speakin' of chain routing - while I'd gotten that figured I still hadta sort out the front idler mount... a bit tricky as the ideal location would prevent me frm being able to remove the lower right A arm's bolt, so I decided to make another component for it to mount to, one that addressed a coupla other things I needed anyway - jus' to make it a challenge lol

First off, I didn't have a pedal boom clamp. In my overwhelming generosity to the vertically challenged, I took the harder route and made the pedal boom adjustable so those of insufficient stature could reach the pedals w/o the traditional blocks & phone books - but w/o a clamp, there's nothing holding the boom frm sliding ofc.

Then there was my concern about my vulnerable steering plate, exposed & the lowest point under the taddy, one good whack and my steering would be alla cross-eyed & stupid, I'd not even be able to drag it home...

So, I figured a skid plate could prolly help;

Re: The Bent Zombie Tribrid Tadpole Trike (build phase)

Made of stainless plate & aluminum box stock, it'll prolly take w/e impact I'd still wanna ride away from - except ofc there's no protection for the front idler. It's not the most feasible to try and make a guard for it that'll withstand any serious hit & TBH of the two things, I'd far rather loose my pedal chain than my steering... I do after all have other means of propulsion ta gets me home again heh

Still, I'll prolly make a brush guard for the chain idler at least, a steel hoop comes to mind... not that I'm thinkin' of bushwhacking w/the thing, but stuff hppns *shrug*

Re: The Bent Zombie Tribrid Tadpole Trike (build phase)

...and being hidden away up under the taddy, where only pending roadkill would ever see it - I thought it'd be a great place for a snazzy bit of polished aluminum diamond plate, carefully cut to be sure the diamonds were centered & symmetrical, complete with countersunk flush stainless fasteners...

well... I know it's there anyway lol



...and jus' for the lols & because the pics tend to make the taddy look bigger than it actually is, here's a shot of mine messy lil shop - for perspective ofc

Re: The Bent Zombie Tribrid Tadpole Trike (build phase)

Thanks mbuna

silver - I have decided with some reluctance I'll admit, to postpone it's "completion" until spring... well, midwinter is more likely but given the conditions *shrug*

There's simply too many pesky lil details and refinements I wanna attend to & if there's one thing I know about meself - it's that as soon as a project hits the road, it's "done" save tuning & repairs. I jus' can't bring myself to stop playing w/a toy long enough to do anything else w/it once it's at the ridin' stage lol - like the detailing (pinstripes/original paint scheme) the Rollfast never got...

...and the ideas for the taddy keep on comin'

For example, I was chattin' with an ecomodder about hybrid systems and he suggested that while dual throttles (one for electric, one for ICE) was effective, a potential & relatively simple mod to maximize the potential in the dual drive systems would be to connect a vacuum powered actuator to the ICE to activate the emotor's throttle... which would result in the more demand put on the ICE, the more the electric assists - automatically.

Which I gotta admit is elegant in it's simplicity! While I would ofc retain the dual trigger throttles for an "override" (leaving the emotor WOT while backing off the ICE to shift for example), the vacuum actuator idea is something I'm simply gonna hafta look into

Soo... I figure I'll spend the long, cold dark fiddling away with all those "little" things that makes all the difference *shrug* It's sure as heck cheaper than startin' another build to keep me sane(ish) when it's 40 below or w/e

Re: The Bent Zombie Tribrid Tadpole Trike (build phase)

Thanks guys & I hope so mbuna420, doin' the best I can w/what I gots n'all lol - 'Recumbent Trike Design', (the link in my sig) has been a lot of help TBH

So, front idler finished it was time to make the rear one ofc. I'd had a bit of angle steel clamped in there and it worked well 'nuff, so I figured why mess w/a good thing & jus' made a spiffier one outa aluminum, as it shares two of the four motor mounts, I will hafta dig up some slightly longer bolts as the added 1/4" of the aluminum angle stock only leaves about 1/4" of the fastener in the case... it could be enough but me no likie heh, why mess around?

I also made a mockup of an... erm, "amidships" support (soz for the boat babble, dunno what else to call it), I could cut the extra inch or so ofn the trailing end of the teflon chain tube, but a chunk of black plastic water pipe seems to do the trick well enough - in fact it works so well I think all I'm gonna do to "finish" that is get some real zip ties instead of those lil puny ones, all I've left over naturally.

Now, for the first time the pedal chain glides so smoothly the pedals will free spin a coupla turns, even backpedaling w/o jamming & despite the fact it's dry as a bone (no keys in the jackshaft ATM). Tap a threaded hole in the chainstay for the rear derailleur's retaining bolt, cut a oupla keys & rig up the shifter cables and I'd be pedaling about...

...if I was willing to ignore the wire nest dragging along behind me >.<

Is ok, if all I wanted to do was pedal - I'd not be building this crazy thing lol

Re: The Bent Zombie Tribrid Tadpole Trike (build phase)

Thanks kevin... urm... when I get around to actually being able to ride it... prolly lol, but the law enforcement 'round these parts is pretty chill

Re: The Bent Zombie Tribrid Tadpole Trike (build phase)

Well, first off - thanks fer the comments guys Been a lil while since I've had a chance to tinker w/the thing, silly RL intruding and all that, but soon 'nuff the snow will be flying & I'll be stoked I've got it to work on I figure lol


mrmillion - TBH I don't even know what exact quad I got some of the frame chunks from, I've three dead'uns all chopped up & I've used bits from all sortsa things to abomineer the thing together & they're all "brand X" Chinese knockoffs heh

If you're interested in building something similar, or even completely different but using one of the 50cc horizontal four strokes, I do recommend picking up one of the kiddie sized four wheelers or dirtbikes - not so much for the frame tho as even best case scenario you'll be hacking it up so much it'll be completely unrecognizable, but for all of the various components, engine, fuel system, wiring harness, etc - all complete in a nice, tidy package and for roughly the same price as buying just the motor alone.

The frames themselves are pretty much useless save fer scrap metal - I did use pieces like motor mounts & sections that had curves I needed as I don't have a mandrel tubing bender, but as an example just my subframe/engine cradle is a dozen different individual pieces cut down & reconfigured to fit, that ofc doesn't include the pedal boom extension/receiver or front & rear suspension mounts lol

It is really handy to have the chunks of frame, they help a lot to test fit and envision what's needed - it's just the exact year/make/model doesn't really matter as by the time yer done there's nothing left of the original heh

Fortunately, there's a bunch of 50cc four & two stroke ATVs available ranging in price from 3-600 bucks new - a price that really can't be beat for what yer getting. I chose to buy my new engine separately because I wanted a Lifan specifically & picked up a coupla beaten, dead fourwheelers for the parts n'stuff - but this route can easily double the price.

Here is one example of a 50cc four stroke ATV, but if ya type in "50cc four wheeler" (or dirtbike ofc) into 'Google Product Search' you'll get swamped w/returns;
Baja Motorsports 50cc ATV: Features & Specifications | Pep Boys

The only catch is ofc there's a buncha different brands of these inexpensive lil toys & who knows which ones are better'n others... most of them have Honda CRF50 engine clones which is a simply awesome lil engine, but how closely they "cloned" it in quality and parts compatibility is anyone's guess. If ya can, seek one that has a Lifan engine as Lifan is a direct clone of the CRF50 with excellent quality and all it's parts are fully interchangeable with it's Honda equivalent, which is handy for not just maintenance & repair - but the availability of groovy aftermarket preformance parts like fuel injection, cams & valves, pistons, rods & etc., etc., etc.

Hope this helps some & lookin' forward to seein' yer project

Re: The Bent Zombie Tribrid Tadpole Trike (build phase)

Righty-o, the first snow has happened and sure 'nuff I've started tinkerin' again, finally finalizing the somewhat troublesome removable battery trays and their mounts. Beset by many little problems, I wasn't gonna bother posting any updates till everythin' was completed... but then I realized I'd never post again were I to do that lol, the "little" problems this time included (but ofc not limited to) busticated snap-on brand tap, which while it's got an unlimited warranty - still means ya hafta wait for it's replacement & ofc a slight "oversight" on my part, requiring a countersink bit to be modded slightly as to increase it's shank length heh

Still, I finally managed to get the lower mounts tapped & mounted with countersunk fasteners, while the trays are oversized for the lifepo4 packs, the "backup" SLAs just fit, so countersinking is a must. In the meantime I found four of these groovy washers, jus' perfect for the support fasteners, gotta love scrounging!

Re: The Bent Zombie Tribrid Tadpole Trike (build phase)

Makin' the rationalization that "there's cables and wires, don't want them to chafe" I rounded over the mounts... but TBH it's mostly for the stylie factor... and under the trike, where no one will see it... still, I think it adds a nice touch & saves a few ounces right? lol

Drillin' out the mount supports (like the rust that's developed already?), I decided to use two lengths of threaded rod instead of four separate bolts to simplify things a bit as the front is pretty much impossible to get to unless yer double jointed. I'll most likely use the dreaded acorn nuts w/lock washers, but don't worry - you can actually get quality ones & the cap helps a bunch in this situation, keeping the stud from turning when yer trying to tighten the other side. The cables & wires will be rerouted over the steering control arm (where the temp support block is) BTW

Last but not least, the upper supports - made from aluminum dowels, end drilled... but not tapped yet as I hafta borrow my buddy's tap set again and I've run out of stainless fasteners... again lol

Ah well, progress is progress heh

Re: The Bent Zombie Tribrid Tadpole Trike (build phase)

Well... lemme see, I only managed to dig up five of those solid stainless acorn nuts - but as I only need four of 'em it's all good lol - finally having a tap again I got the aluminum dowel upper supports cut to final length & threaded. I then begged a buddy to gimmie a couple few stainless screws, grabbed a hunk of stainless tubing while I was at it & cut it down to slip over the threaded rod between the frame rails, acting as a spacer/guard, preventing wire/cable chafe as that's where the jungle gets routed through.

...and finally got the blasted battery trays completed & fully mounted! *commence lil dance* Sure - I still hafta soften the edges & drill drain/lightening holes, but that's easy-peasy & will be done when I do the rest of the detailing, when everythin' is apart for paint.