I'd recommend doing it to everyone Curt. The table without the casters is 2' high. Just a nice working height.
Steve.
Steve.
Indian Tadpole
- Thread starter silverbear
- Start date
Steve that was a great post to catch up those just "exposed" to the tri car thread and to those who may have forgotten specifics along the way. You indeed captured the broad strokes involved during an extended, time wise, and complex re-creation process. I give you highest marks in staying on mark and true to purpose when either quitting or building it the easy way were both options.
You are too modest when it comes to your crafting skills and attention to detail as well. Granted wood working, I'd call it cabinet quality work, is your training and shows in the crafting of the chair, yet with patience you utilized basic metal crafting techniques picked up decades ago and formed a very impressive frame using very basic hand tools. Your tri car build is the main reason I'm working in the drive of my home instead of my fully equipped machine shop, like I did as a teenager and it's been so much fun and relaxing as well for an old guy that really is trying to fully retire...no hustle or bustle, tinker when I want or do nothing at all & no busy work season to interfere. Thanks Steve for that inspiration.
Looking forward to seeing you and the bike campers tooling it around the lakes! Rick C.
You are too modest when it comes to your crafting skills and attention to detail as well. Granted wood working, I'd call it cabinet quality work, is your training and shows in the crafting of the chair, yet with patience you utilized basic metal crafting techniques picked up decades ago and formed a very impressive frame using very basic hand tools. Your tri car build is the main reason I'm working in the drive of my home instead of my fully equipped machine shop, like I did as a teenager and it's been so much fun and relaxing as well for an old guy that really is trying to fully retire...no hustle or bustle, tinker when I want or do nothing at all & no busy work season to interfere. Thanks Steve for that inspiration.
Looking forward to seeing you and the bike campers tooling it around the lakes! Rick C.
Hi Curt, I built the table lower because I'm usually sitting down because of my back and legs. I'm sure enjoying it.
Steve.
Steve.
Thank you Rick and your welcome. I found that everyone else views what you did in a different manner from what you do. While they are admiring the work you see all the things that you should, could, would have done differently.
I hope I can inspire someone to get outside their comfort zone like I did and build one. I'll expand on what really is needed and how to get around not having some of the tools and the tools you do need to make the tri car.
I can imagine if you were in the shop trying to build the bikes. Everyone there would be drifting by to see how it's progressing and not devoting their time to the job at hand. then there is the Rick, can you give me a hand or Rick what do you think I should do here and you get nothing done. Human nature at it's best.
Maybe 3 years ago my son was looking at the thread and he emailed me and said you welding improving dad. I was looking the bike over today and a lot of the early welding is bad. Strong but just bad. Kind of like I had my eyes closed. What the heck. The next one will be better.
Still waiting for parts so I can get back at the gas tanks. I wish they had sent them by dog sled. At least they would be here by now.
Steve.
I hope I can inspire someone to get outside their comfort zone like I did and build one. I'll expand on what really is needed and how to get around not having some of the tools and the tools you do need to make the tri car.
I can imagine if you were in the shop trying to build the bikes. Everyone there would be drifting by to see how it's progressing and not devoting their time to the job at hand. then there is the Rick, can you give me a hand or Rick what do you think I should do here and you get nothing done. Human nature at it's best.
Maybe 3 years ago my son was looking at the thread and he emailed me and said you welding improving dad. I was looking the bike over today and a lot of the early welding is bad. Strong but just bad. Kind of like I had my eyes closed. What the heck. The next one will be better.
Still waiting for parts so I can get back at the gas tanks. I wish they had sent them by dog sled. At least they would be here by now.
Steve.
Steve I'm in the process of divesting my interest in the day to day work activities but just need to complete this one busy season to help the guys succeed now and in the future. Clients need to adjust to and trust the word and judgement of the very experienced & competent "new" guy. One successful season of helping behind the scenes is all it should take to erase the customer's habit & memory of dealing direct with the Old Guy.
I am enjoying working at home and changing old daily patterns of routine, but can use the shop during the early hours of morning when required. Old Guy adjustment Steve it's a bit like removing a frozen exhaust stud...lubricate and wait! Totally sober, Rick C.
I am enjoying working at home and changing old daily patterns of routine, but can use the shop during the early hours of morning when required. Old Guy adjustment Steve it's a bit like removing a frozen exhaust stud...lubricate and wait! Totally sober, Rick C.
This talk reminds me of when I first got married, all I had was , hack saw, brass& bits, files, ( thanks to my dad being a rail road worker) along with a vice,. Cold bend everything in it, still don't have a hole lot more, first thing I bought big was cutting torch, and that was my welder for years. Now have a few more, but nothing fancy. Could not realy afford it till the kids left home, One pierce at a time, like Jonny cash..........Curt
Curt you totally get it. I rented mostly apartments or occasionally a small house without shed or garage, lucky to have even a shade tree. Moved more than 20 times during the first two decades of my adult life, so yes not much to work with and still built some pretty cool stuff while baking in the Summer sun and freezing in Winter: motorcycles, cars and trucks all built and maintained with a few basic tools of my own and borrowed what "specialized stuff" I could or figured out how to do it without it. Really fun to recall, but not easy at the time. I still see the young guy I was in the Old guys work, but not the mirror! Still building and having fun. Rick C.
The old customers will feel better for seeing you around but dealing the new owners. As you said once they get comfortable with the new people they won't notice your not there.
Working at home is a pleasure. Your close to everything and just have to step out to the garage to get to work.
The parts I was waiting for arrived today so once the seat is finished for the Hiawatha the game is on.
Steve.
Working at home is a pleasure. Your close to everything and just have to step out to the garage to get to work.
The parts I was waiting for arrived today so once the seat is finished for the Hiawatha the game is on.
Steve.
When we look back when we started out I think all of us see the same thing. A complete set of wrenches was a dream and power drills were usually something someone loaned you. Most everything was scounged from Dad or Granddad.
All my metal working tools I've acquired since I retired. When I was restoring antique furniture it was all antique hand tools to replicate the way the furniture was made. I was fortunate enough to buy a couple of large carpenters tool chests before the rest of the world discovered them and the prices when up.
Some of the wood working hand tools cost far more than their modern counter parts but left the marks and look that only hand held tools left behind. When I retired I took them all to an auction that was being held just for antique tools and sent them on a new journey.
I just wait for tool sales and buy my tools. It's surprising what turns up. If it's just for home use and hobby building my thoughts are Harbour Freight will get a person building at a reasonable price.
Bench top power tools can also get a person building without a huge cash outlay.
I'll get the measurements for the tri car front end and show the tools I used to build it. It didn't take many tools.
Steve.
All my metal working tools I've acquired since I retired. When I was restoring antique furniture it was all antique hand tools to replicate the way the furniture was made. I was fortunate enough to buy a couple of large carpenters tool chests before the rest of the world discovered them and the prices when up.
Some of the wood working hand tools cost far more than their modern counter parts but left the marks and look that only hand held tools left behind. When I retired I took them all to an auction that was being held just for antique tools and sent them on a new journey.
I just wait for tool sales and buy my tools. It's surprising what turns up. If it's just for home use and hobby building my thoughts are Harbour Freight will get a person building at a reasonable price.
Bench top power tools can also get a person building without a huge cash outlay.
I'll get the measurements for the tri car front end and show the tools I used to build it. It didn't take many tools.
Steve.
Just finished up an hour long chat with the chap in Pennsylvania who is modifying the 3D Motorsport clutch for me. He just wanted to check on a few things with me and explain what he did.
Since this is only the second one he's modified it took a while to incorporate what he'd learned in building his and make changes. He also had a large job come in at the same time.
Once the clutch is here I will be able to get it finished.
Steve.
Since this is only the second one he's modified it took a while to incorporate what he'd learned in building his and make changes. He also had a large job come in at the same time.
Once the clutch is here I will be able to get it finished.
Steve.
A tool must that I have just started to use is and oil pump for changing the oil in the 4 stroke Briggs Bike of mine. I had to take off front wheel and use the center stand to pivot the whole frame forward. I just put just enough shim under the front fork and weighed down the handle bar with a 25 lb weight belt. Then the engine was level. A breeze.
Either take the engine off or do it simple like this. I expect there could be some time you eventually want to tilt completely over, but gas tank on the frame is a pain with leaking, so the whole engine comes off instead.
I've had this pump for maybe 15 years and just broke it out to use. Glad the plastic did not turn brittle.
Bi-Annual Off Road DMV Reg Renewal Sticker Arrived today. Now when the darn trails open as mud is closing a lot of trails now.
Either take the engine off or do it simple like this. I expect there could be some time you eventually want to tilt completely over, but gas tank on the frame is a pain with leaking, so the whole engine comes off instead.
I've had this pump for maybe 15 years and just broke it out to use. Glad the plastic did not turn brittle.
Bi-Annual Off Road DMV Reg Renewal Sticker Arrived today. Now when the darn trails open as mud is closing a lot of trails now.
Attachments
Stuff was being done on site remote. I just had a whim I ought to change the oil and came up with a way to not have to remove the engine.
At the time I did not have info on how much it held or remembered. I also was not thinking I needed to have the engine level to pump oil out. It turns out it needed to be level, but had not put two an two together thinking just put a few threads below the oil fill lip, the same as it was prior to pump out.
The oil pumped out with engine level and I measured 14 oz.
This by means of one 8oz water bottle and another almost full. The qt oil I had has a measure on the side. It was at 20 oz. I poured until it was at 6 oz. Also it showed up just at the same level as before I extracted the dirty oil.
It is good to know how much to put in as the funnel can hold temporarily an amount that can spill over. I went slow and when I was 2 oz left to get to the 14 oz I poured very slow and it worked out OK no spilling.
I was really out there initially checking on how to get the tire bead to seat properly. The wider wheel rim I have on the rear with 12 gauge spokes needs to have the tube pumped up a little more when first fitting the tire bead into the rim to catch the edge. I also found that if I use the pump at the same time pressing around the tire to push it in the rim then it catches more readily first time. After it catches and has enough air to keep the bead in, it no longer needs that done any more and I pump to pressure.
Only problem is that I was trying out another tire for the other wheel on the front and had too big a tube. I had a spare and it had a range of size starting 1.9 and I needed 1.75. Just got back from Wally World just now and have that size. Never until now have I had one of these, the fold up Kevlar bead type tire. If I went on a long ride, I could maybe take these kind and not worry about bending the bead.
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Fasteddy what is it that needs mods for in the clutch? Is it that the vehicle is bigger and heavier than the normal motor bike that it would be changed in some way?
M.T.,
The clutch is going on the Sportsman Flyer pedal crank where Pat's sprocket set up goes. This way I'll be able to pedal start the bike. The motor doesn't have any easy way to start it other than wrapping a belt around the flywheel and pulling it.
The 3D Motorsport clutch is made to go on the engine originally. Brian added bearings to the clutch so that it can turn freely on the jack shaft.
He built a extremely nice Harley Davidson bike with a 1947, 4hp Briggs and Stratton engine. He said it runs at 45 to 50 mph with the gearing it has. I'll look up the video of him starting it and add it.
Steve.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yx81T7GPtOs
The clutch is going on the Sportsman Flyer pedal crank where Pat's sprocket set up goes. This way I'll be able to pedal start the bike. The motor doesn't have any easy way to start it other than wrapping a belt around the flywheel and pulling it.
The 3D Motorsport clutch is made to go on the engine originally. Brian added bearings to the clutch so that it can turn freely on the jack shaft.
He built a extremely nice Harley Davidson bike with a 1947, 4hp Briggs and Stratton engine. He said it runs at 45 to 50 mph with the gearing it has. I'll look up the video of him starting it and add it.
Steve.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yx81T7GPtOs
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Those bearings being the special sprag bearings? So similar to a small degree is the pawl clutch in my recoil starter. Only if you pedal faster than shaft spins, do the bearing engage I think.
Measure twice I've watched the You tube video multiple times on several occasions and feel you're on the right path conceptually, yet how this guy came up with the answer to his very real need was genius as was Steve's snapping to recognize it would work as a starter solution on his tri car project! I'm impressed and I don't fully understand how it works either. I love the stuff that pops up on this forum. Rick C.