Indian Tadpole

Ludwig II said:
Ultralight and microlight flying in Britain is subject to more rules and regs, those of you who live here or have been here will know how little distance there is between places. Even what is regarded as open countryside has places with names like Much Groping, Little Groping and Groping Knightly within a mile of each other, and two miles from Handshandy-next-Bedding, so I suppose regulation is necessary. Even so, the CAA is sometimes referred to as the Campaign Against Aviation. Heaven knows what Americans call the FAA.......
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Yep, starts "F" and end with "ers" against aviation...
 
Bike is together once again. I have to order another drive chain to the rear wheel. Bought a chain locally from out version of Harbour Freight and it has a section that is binding on the rear sprocket. Looks like the links aren't spaced right and won't sit on the sprocket teeth properly.

By the time I get the shop clean up finished the chain should be here. If I try using what I have the sprocket will be ruined. I've heard something binding but never bothered to look to see what it was until today.

Steve.
 
A quick what happened to the chain. When it was made there was a very slight dog leg in a few links of the chain. I could hear a slight clicking noise when I held the clutch in and turn the pedals over like it was being started but I didn't pay a lot of attention to it.

Now everything is back together and lined up I turned the pedals over and at a fast speed the chain would jump off the rear sprocket. When I turned the chain slowly the dogleg became evident. Ordered the chain and that should be the last of it.

Steve.
 
Hey Steve, I have dog chain here you can have. Oh, we finally have a "new to us" dog The two you met, Bailey (Sheltie) and Willie (?) are now permanent residents here. We saved Sam from death row about 5 months ago. He's about 6 and probably ran free so lots of habits to overcome.
Anyway, can't wait for you to get this long awaited project running down the road.

Dan
 
Thank you Dan. Shipping for the chain is 5 to 8 business days they say, so it will be over soon.

Great to hear that you have another pup to share the good life. I believe they would consider Sam, "Pre Experienced." Much like a Pre Owned car. I admire you both for taking on a dog who is used to doing life in an less restricted way. I'm sure there are habits that need to be rearranged for Sam. He landed all 4 paws into the good side of life.

Steve.
 
Thanks Steve,
It's wonderful watching you fellas work through the projects. I keep hoping to get back after another, but life has a way of re arranging things, doesn't it? Anyway, get this project on the road!

And , us dogs gotta stick together. Thanks for the kind words.

Dan
 
fasteddy said:
Ludwig, I have indeed thought about this I assure you but the law hounds here would gleefully load it up and have it hauled off and hand me a summons for a large sum of money if there was the slightest hint of exhaust fumes. However with electric I can plead that it is a "mobility devise" {I love that term} that I made for myself because of the high cost of a commercial one.

It would require brakes, lights and a horn but that's reasonable. Electric air horns would be my preference. Anything less than 6" of air under the victims feet when they elevate would require louder horns.

Thanks to Curt's kindness a differential is in hand to be used to propel it.
A large battery would be used to insure long distance travel. Mine, not the air horn victims. An enclosure to keep the occupant dry would be a consideration. Winter is closing in upon us and the Wet Coast is back.

Measurements have been taken and materials considered. An old office chair has become available just by chance recently.

Satan is pushing me forward.

Steve.
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Curt really has some sound advice on building. I'm going to put a differential in my trike for next summer !
 
Last of the "Big" to do's has be done. Lettering is on the gas tank. These are vinyl lettering, not water transfers.

I purchased them from Classic Transfers in the U.K. They have an extensive collection of motorcycle logos from around the world. The cost is 5.75 Pounds-$7.40 U.S.- $9.69 Canadian each + shipping. Lots of Indian logos.

I taped a piece of paper the same size as the cardboard with the letters to the side of the tank to make sure it was level and centred compared to the original bikes. Then I used masking tape to mark the area to show the boundary's. There are a tab of the paper with the letters on it wrapped around the back of the backing cardboard on either side. I freed these up and started peeling the decal off the backing cardboard. I found starting in one corner and peeling the lettering up slowly worked, checking to make sure the letters weren't being left behind.

Then I lined them up to the masking tape and started at one end rubbed then onto the tank while holding up one side so the letters didn't make contact with the tank all at once. Peel the paper off and the job is done.

Steve.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwiFpdHmk7HlAhXE854KHUznDJMQFjABegQIAxAB&url=https://classictransfers.co.uk/cata
 
Success. Now down to the garage to see how it looks. Lots of paint touch up needed. The chain hasn't shown up yet. One of the reasons I rarely use eBay any more. They sent a link so I could follow the package that doesn't work as usual.

Steve.
 

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Put the tank on the bike to get some photos and then removed it so the scratched paint on the frame could be repainted. If I had a dollar for every time the different gas tanks I built were removed and replaced I'd be in a lot more solid financial shape.

The frame is now scuffed and taped off where it was scratched and tomorrow I'll paint it so that when the chain gets here I can give it a try.
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The frame is now scuffed and taped off where it was scratched and tomorrow I'll paint it so that when the chain gets here I can give it a try.
.[/QUOTE]

Looks great Steve. Until a build is completed paint is just to stop rust...since my builds never, ever reach completion paint or stop rust is how I ride them and just own the whole patina concept. We're all ready to see this Indian roll under power.
What do you guess the stately speed will be?

Rick C.
 
The speed calculator said some where in the low 20mph range Rick. I'm hoping that the steering won't be super sensitive empty or really slow and hard if there is a passenger. I don't know as yet of course if it is safe at a higher speed but if it is I'd bump it up.

With any luck I'm have it finished tomorrow and then it's just waiting for the chain that was supposed to have been delivered. eBay has locked me out of the tracking and now I'm supposed to contact them directly.

Steve.
 
Thanks Steve I'd think 15 or 20 mph plenty fast And doubt the originals much faster. Can you imagine the lady of the house upfront waiting to be pitched out on the cobblestones or manure spattered streets? The he & she convrsations must have been classic and an extreme example of early "front seat" driving by the passenger. Dogs must have loved it though!

Stuff arrives when it does that's one reason to work on multiple projects to keep ones mind from schedules.

Rick C.
 
I had to laugh when you mentioned that. One of the first Indian Tri Car photos I saw was an Indian motorcycle dealer with his wife in the front seat dressed in white. The epitome of the perfect ad. Gentlemen, your wife doesn't need to fear riding in the Tri Car seat since it's perfectly safe.

My Dad's description of roads of that era was to say the least, interesting. He said that you didn't need to steer your car since the wagon ruts would do that for you and you only needed to turn the steering wheel when you needed to go from one set of ruts to another when you needed to get onto another road.

I'll try and include the photo. The bike is a 1906.Indian.

Steve.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vMisSN1DtK4/TY91l70kgLI/AAAAAAABf6E/7w9sLhUoOao/s1600/indian-tricar.jpg
 
[[My Dad's description of roads of that era was to say the least, interesting. He said that you didn't need to steer your car since the wagon ruts would do that for you and you only needed to turn the steering wheel when you needed to go from one set of ruts to another when you needed to get onto another road.]]

I've been on motorways like that over here.
 
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