Once again, very nice machine, Tom.
I hadn’t intended to bore y’all with a post about all of the details of my build; however, since I have been invited by both Tom and Ron to do so, I might as well.<g> [I don’t toot my own horn much.]
So, here is a slightly redacted copy of an email I sent to Dave Staton, including pictures. It pretty well outlines the whole build, and I thought that some of you might be interested in how I did it, and what the finished product looks like...along with a pic of the stupid builder.
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"Dave--
I’m really sorry that I haven’t gotten back to you before now, but due to health problems and other obstacles I have been very slow in correspondence. I didn’t want to write to you till I had something substantial to say.
Yes, I had to make quite a few modifications to your mounting bracket and braces (since the first pics I took) to make it work on the Trailmate Meteor. I had to move all of the mounting points around to take into account an "extra" bar that the Trailmate Meteor has, that the Sun, et. al. don’t have. You should see that in the photos. Without moving the attachment points for the ‘all thread’, I would not have been able to get clearance for the drive chain under that bar, and keep the motor reasonably level. It would have hung too low in the back, and even changing the main mounting bracket wouldn't have helped (even if I had the equipment to do that.) But everything worked out okay in the end, and the whole mount is snug and secure.
I switched the lightweight 20" aluminum rear wheels for some husky skyway mag/composite wheels and tougher tires and tubes. I plan to change the front wheel to one a little larger than the 16" one that is on it now, but that will take a slight fork extension and some brake changes. So, I'll hold off on that one for now. Since the hub on the original rear wheels is so unique, I plan to [sometime in the future] have them re-threaded to really wide rims so I can use a set of about 3” wide tires. That would be perfect for the sort of riding I do.
Another modification was made necessary when a well-intentioned neighbor walked over to the garage to check on my progress and accidentally knocked the kill switch onto the floor. In his attempt to pick it up, he managed to step on it. (Go figure!) Since it was 'fubar,' I just tossed it in the trash. Made a quick trip to Radio Shack, tho, and he bought me a heavy-duty toggle switch and small, weather- proof utility box. I soldered the connections, put it together using clear silicone, and mounted it on the frame slightly under the seat for extra protection. It is, however, quite accessible.
I have taken as many detailed and up-close pics as I thought necessary to show the final build with modifications, and am sending them along to you. I will also post a copy of this email and attachments on the forum at Motoredbikes.com. The engine is running fine and is about what I'd call ‘fully broken in’. I’ve taken it in stages so I wouldn't burn anything up, and have changed the oil several times since I started riding it (she only takes about 3 1/2 oz. and is cheap insurance.) I cajoled a local Deputy to clock me on the radar for a ¼ mile stretch on a flat road...42mph! The Meteor is quite stable at that speed. It was not 'over-responsive', and not the least bit ‘skittish’ (altho I wouldn’t run it at that speed for long.)
Engine and gearbox seem to be just fine, but the (4) rear axle bearings are going to have to be beefed up. It cruises quite comfy at 25-30 mph. I’m sending a mess of picts so you can see what I have done. Hope this helps on your next bracket for the Trailmate Meteor...it seems to be just an Odd Duck apart from the rest of the trikes.
Thanks for everything, Dave. God Bless.
PatrickW
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