Thank you Rick. The recognition of one's more knowledgeable peers is always heartwarming.
It has been quite the journey to say the least and when I look back at the beginning I realized the journey stared about this time in 2011. Many of the years eaten up by illness and bad weather. So much for the "this won't take long to build" theory that I started out with.
To those that don't know I have reasonable automotive back ground but much of that is 50 years old and my metal fabricating skills, such as they, are were learned in vocational school 60+ years ago. Welding and fabricating of this bike were learned or relearned as the build progressed. My back ground is antique furniture restoration.
If you would like to attempt to build one, Indian or otherwise, feel free to contact me here. Click on the envelope on the top of the header and it will guide you. I have patterns if needed and advise is free. Yes, you can build one even if you have to have the welding done by someone else.
It is comforting to know that the travels are nearing an end for the Indian Tri Car and this summer for Silverbear's Hiawatha Tri Car. Two similar but different approaches to the same build.
The electric tri car will be different yet again other than it's electric. Looking at 4" tires, ribbed motorcycle fenders and mahogany battery box along with other ideas.
My thoughts over the years are the same as yours. What will the reaction of the Indian experts be. Stepped on sacred grounds or not a bad effort. I'm sure that once the bike hits the internet in it's finished form, opinions will be expressed.
Weather permitting the tri car should be on the ground running in a week and we'll be able to get our answer.
Steve.