Indian Hiawatha

GoldenMotor.com

MEASURE TWICE

Well-Known Member
Jul 13, 2010
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CA
Best not to further rob the rack of valuable stowage space. Your call SB, but mounting the lamp under the rack as per your last pic gets my vote..
A rat trap on many bicycles with added bungies for a milk crate for shopping was the norm. But I could see a passenger up front seated with a case of bottles in their lap? Anyway just wanted to say you got talent. So many projects you have completed and even after delays still get done with style!
 

indian22

Well-Known Member
Dec 31, 2014
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You guys may be interested in this German tadpole I assembled for a fellow. High quality and has a 4 speed rear hub. He ordered without a motor so I could add a mid drive. He quickly lost interest in riding and a motor was never installed. It's a shame, but his decision.

20200905_085512.jpg
 

indian22

Well-Known Member
Dec 31, 2014
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Heavy duty fender brackets!
Yes Tom, as are the fender tins. This bike rivals Worksman cargo bikes for heavy duty. All steel and assembled without mods of any type. No missing parts etc. Instuctions were really complete both written and diagrammed. Photos were specific to this model, no generic info covering several similar models. Quite a pleasure compared to Chinese leaflets.

This tadpole pedaled, shifted and rode well, but the seat height, adjusted to maximize pedal leverage for a 6' plus guy, placed the center of gravity quite high. Tippy as a result on side hill/cornering. Typical of this type, even with the quite wide track. With a nice 1,500 watt mid drive the saddle could be really lowered to improve stability and rider confidence

The hub could be shifted while pedaling or not; even when dead stopped. It is a beauty. Belt drive was dead silent.

Been a couple of years so manufacturer & model have been purged as not useful. I wish my mind would warn me before it does it's housekeeping!

Rick C.
 

silverbear

The Boy Who Never Grew Up
Jul 9, 2009
8,325
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northeastern Minnesota
A rat trap on many bicycles with added bungies for a milk crate for shopping was the norm. But I could see a passenger up front seated with a case of bottles in their lap? Anyway just wanted to say you got talent. So many projects you have completed and even after delays still get done with style!
Thank you, sir…
SB
 

silverbear

The Boy Who Never Grew Up
Jul 9, 2009
8,325
670
113
northeastern Minnesota
Yes Tom, as are the fender tins. This bike rivals Worksman cargo bikes for heavy duty. All steel and assembled without mods of any type. No missing parts etc. Instuctions were really complete both written and diagrammed. Photos were specific to this model, no generic info covering several similar models. Quite a pleasure compared to Chinese leaflets.

This tadpole pedaled, shifted and rode well, but the seat height, adjusted to maximize pedal leverage for a 6' plus guy, placed the center of gravity quite high. Tippy as a result on side hill/cornering. Typical of this type, even with the quite wide track. With a nice 1,500 watt mid drive the saddle could be really lowered to improve stability and rider confidence

The hub could be shifted while pedaling or not; even when dead stopped. It is a beauty. Belt drive was dead silent.

Been a couple of years so manufacturer & model have been purged as not useful. I wish my mind would warn me before it does it's housekeeping!

Rick C.
Pretty cool trike there. Was that purchased through Aliexpress? Is the company making something else now? So what happened to the trike? Do you have any other photos of how the fenders were attached?… I’m still contemplating a better way to go about it for my Terratrike Rover electric tadpole, so am on the lookout for ideas. Thanks, Rick.
SB
 

indian22

Well-Known Member
Dec 31, 2014
4,734
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SB It was made in Germany. Purchased from a Colorado bike shop. The bike was still in his garage 6 mo or so ago. Photos I took were in Sept. 2020.

I double checked and it's actually a chain drive.

Bad photos, taken with a super cheap phone, but have fender braces pretty clear. Hope this helps you sort it out.

20200905_085524.jpg
20200905_085539.jpg
20200905_085708.jpg
 

curtisfox

Well-Known Member
Dec 29, 2008
6,077
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minesota
Tom the tadpole is a Piff, made in Germany. Current model has a 7 speed with reverse. I don't have a head badge photo of this little transport.

Screw type shock adjusters on bottom of shock body.

Rick C.
Some street rods were built that way with the split beam axle, they worked good, if I didn't have so many projects now? I would bite..........Curt
 

indian22

Well-Known Member
Dec 31, 2014
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True part of rod history Curtis. Nothing new under the Sun, but tons of innovation's derived from prior insights.

I think easy adjustment of front wheel alignment would be very beneficial for any Tadpole design.

I too am covered up with projects Curtis.

Rick C.
 

fasteddy

Well-Known Member
Feb 13, 2009
7,470
4,954
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British Columbia Canada
The headlight stands for the Hiawatha Tri Car are sand blasted. I think I'll add a small brace just to help support it. The clamps will hold the headlights. Clamps down on the tubing as the light is tightened up.

Steve.
 

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fasteddy

Well-Known Member
Feb 13, 2009
7,470
4,954
113
British Columbia Canada
I finally have the headlight stands as finished as they can be without installing them. I mounted them to the top of the plates that will hold the seat springs in place. Cut off bicycle handles for the stands and chrome metal plugs for the ends of the tubing. Late summer weather is starting to show up and the 90F+ is fading away so hopefully I will be able to get more done.

The chrome pieces are clamps for the lights that slide over the ends of the tubing and the nut and bolt for the headlight clamps it tight to the tubing. The last photo shows what it will look like in place sitting on Indian Tri Car seat spring.

Steve.
 

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