Alternative Transport

ben@mountain-wave.ca sent you a link to content of interest

2008-08-27T19:39:00.001-06:00

ben@mountain-wave.ca sent you a link to the following content:

3D scanning with a camera flash?
http://solidmentor.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=223

The sender also included this note:

Test post

--
Sent via a FeedFlare link from a FeedBurner feed.
http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/publishers/feedflare

Also a SWB highracer

2007-09-03T22:59:00.000-06:00

Here is the preliminary higracer

Also you will note that the boom can be extended or contracted as needed and below is my idea of how to deal with the steering. I took the quill cut and rewelded the handlebar clamp at 90 degrees. Then I took a handlebar and cut it at the edge of the expansion area in the middle, took the cut piece and welded it to the other end and voila a extension riser for the handlebar. I will next take another clamp and weld it to the end of the riser and put a handlebar on once the height is determined. It will be easy to mod if need be!

F'Lowroller

2007-09-03T22:57:00.001-06:00

I have been building a F'Lowroller and here are some pics

I have been building a F'Lowroller and here are some pics

CrossBow

2007-01-09T20:39:00.000-07:00

CrossBow

WOW!

2006-09-04T21:14:00.000-06:00

After a little tweeking this bike is awesome and very very comfortable. I have changed the handlebars to a clamp on neck and this made a big difference on the handling the neck out gives a lever to help turn.

I am still learning to ride but here are my thoughts so far.
1. When slow speed turning it is better to be under power it gives you the chance to power out of too steep a lean
2. It is harder to steer coasting when starting out
3. RELAX RELAX RELAX then things come together

later...

Rivets

2006-08-22T17:29:00.001-06:00

You know what I have been told over and over again that using rivets is a bad idea. I agree I have brazed this connection but if you do not have brazing ability then use at least a 1/4inch bolt.

I will also be modifying this later this week to a better configuration and also adding wider handlbars

Stay tuned same bat place same bat time.

Ben

Rivets

2006-08-22T17:29:00.000-06:00

Rivet... Rivet

2006-08-17T22:45:00.000-06:00

How the handlebar clamp is riveted on... Now I am making sure I use nothing involving welding and only use simple tools to make this. Otherwise I would have brazed this on...

One more of the mod

2006-08-17T22:43:00.000-06:00

Slight change of plans

2006-08-17T22:40:00.000-06:00

Turns out that the forks I have had a pannier hole in the front as well as the back of the drop out, so I cut the hard to manage rear drop outs and bolted the crank on. This has worked great. If you don't have front mount holes on the forks you could just use a HomeDepot clamp or some strap and make a wrap around the fork and bolt to the little hole on the chainstays mount to the forks. I will mock one up one of these days.

Movie of a Cruzbike in action

2006-08-04T16:19:00.000-06:00

Here is a Cruze bike in action on YouTube

There are three videos here
http://youtube.com/results?search_query=cruzbike&search=Search

To show you how nice it seems to be to ride...

Final frame pic

2006-08-04T16:05:00.000-06:00

Here is the machine! Anyone can build this with basic tools. I will be adding the derailleurs, brakes, tires, cables etc etc and giving this a test ride soon. After that it is a scrape down and paint.

Things that I have learned from this

-Recumbents can be dirt cheap.
-Dont use quick release axels on the front wheel here, you need all the axel you can get to mount everything.
-Welders are optional
-The offset or dish of the drive wheel has to be taken into account when bending forks
-The lack of offset in the coasting wheel has to be taken into account when mounting on the rear part of a frame, you should put a third nut onto the left side axel and spin it down onto the bearing lock nut before mounting to offset or space the wheel so that the wheel wont rub the frame and you can properly mount the brake. (I will post some photos of this later)
-I may make a major change to the dropouts on the cut down frame to make life easier. Stay tuned Same bat place, same bat time....

This is alot like a Cruzbike, and I recommend you buy one or buy the kit if you dont want to go through this rigamoreole... it is a great kit or a great bike if you purchase one.
http://www.cruzbike.com/
http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/Cruzbike/

Frame is done!!!!

2006-08-04T15:56:00.000-06:00

Taaaa Daaaaa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ok so now I have to mount the hardware, tires, etc etc. But the frame is done.

Clamp it all together and snug it up...

2006-08-04T15:55:00.000-06:00

Clamp it all together and snug it up...

Final stretch

2006-08-04T15:53:00.000-06:00

Now put the filed out seat clamp on the gooseneck extension and put the new seat post / "c" mount into the cut down frames seat post hole...

Last mount piece

2006-08-04T15:52:00.000-06:00

Take the last seat mount bracket and file it out to fit 3/4 inch conduit....

Put it all together

2006-08-04T15:48:00.000-06:00

Take all the pieces and slde them together and snug it all up.Did you put the wedge nut bolt through the "c" mount? Did you use a lock washer? If not DO IT! the lock washer is important!

How it is made

2006-08-04T15:28:00.000-06:00

Turns out that seat posts (with the end cut off) fit nicely, well the actually they are a tight fit, over goose neck posts.... Have a look at the picture. I took a piece of 1/8 x 1 inch metal strap from a local hardware store and bent it in the vice to the "c" shape and drilled some holes to bolt it into the final assembly. I am sure you can find this part somewhere and you dont have to make it but I dont know where to buy them, I just know they exist.

Now how to mount the top section of the doner frame

2006-08-04T15:25:00.000-06:00

Ok, so now how do we mount the top section of the frame? Have a look at this photo and the next steps are how to make this mount

Handle bars mounted

2006-08-04T15:24:00.000-06:00

So far so good, the bars mount nicely.

Put together

2006-08-04T15:20:00.000-06:00

Now wedge that baby into the conduit. I havent fastend it yet but you could run a 1.4 inch bolt through it to lock it or even some cheap rivets. I may just braze it later but I wanted to challenge myself to building with only basic tools and no welding. the last thing for a challenge was to make it look profesional and not something from the movie Dune.

After the cut

2006-08-04T15:19:00.000-06:00

Now that you have cut the height. slot the end and squish the tub a bit and then it will wedge into another piece of the cut apart goose neck.

Cut extension down to size

2006-08-04T15:17:00.000-06:00

Cut the conduit extension down to size now. Read the picture for the length. This one is up to you.

Now drill a hole and cut a slot

2006-08-04T15:14:00.000-06:00

End treatment of the flare for later clamping.

The fit on the goos neck post

2006-08-04T15:13:00.000-06:00

Nice Flare!

2006-08-04T15:09:00.000-06:00

See the flared section? it now fits perfectly over the goosneck post now...

Now remove the post

2006-08-04T15:08:00.000-06:00

Now remove (manhandle) the seat post out of the flared tube

Like this

2006-08-04T15:07:00.000-06:00

Send the seat tube home on this with a few whacks

Flare some 3/4 conduit

2006-08-04T15:06:00.000-06:00

We are going to flare some conduit next, but no special tools... Take the remaining seat tube and hammer the baby into the end of the condit.

More cuttin'

2006-08-04T15:04:00.000-06:00

Cut up one of the goose necks as follows... (hope you had this style of goosneck I am not sure how to work any other style, but for the most part cheap throw away bike all have this...

How the front mounts

2006-08-04T14:56:00.000-06:00

Ignore the red tube to mount to the steer tube, it is just there to ack as a clamp, it will be modded later to look much much cooler.... But this is how the freshly cut frame mounts.

Dropout mod

2006-08-04T14:55:00.000-06:00

Cut this off to fit the front forks properly

Drop out before

2006-08-04T14:54:00.000-06:00

Before the last cuts

It slices it dices, it makes julenne fries!!!!

2006-08-04T14:53:00.001-06:00

How to chop the frame

The other doner frame

2006-08-04T14:53:00.000-06:00

Here is the other doner frame to be diced up

The seat mounted

2006-08-04T14:51:00.000-06:00

Here is the seat mounted and ready to go.

Front seat mount

2006-08-04T14:42:00.000-06:00

Same thing as the aft mount. A couple of spacers some ready rod and drill a mount hole through the frame and clamp this baby down!

Seat mount

2006-08-04T14:40:00.000-06:00

The seat is mounted in the aft section via a couple of wood spacers and some ready rod and the seat clamp off of one ot the two doner bikes

Basic configuration

2006-08-04T14:38:00.000-06:00

Ok here is the bike with the front wheel mounted in the freshly bent forks. and the seat balanced on it to get the "look cool factor" in the picture.

Front fork treatment

2006-08-04T14:36:00.000-06:00

We are making a FWD so we have to widen the front fork to accomodate a rear wheel. stand on one fork and pull up on the other, gentle now! Next flip it and do the same to the other side, keep going until you have a good fit to a rear wheel.

2 x 4 alignment frame

2006-08-04T14:34:00.000-06:00

Take a 2 x 4 and some 2 x 4 scraps to clamp the stripped rims. This will make a adequate holding jig.... Cost so far $0.00

Here is the start of the build

2006-08-04T14:32:00.000-06:00

Here is one of the junked frames I have piced up for free that is used int the build.

Dibond seat

2006-08-01T12:38:00.000-06:00

Here is the dibond seat I made. What is dibond? It is a aluminum-plastic-aluminum composite that bends easy and is quite strong. You can find it at most sign shops or industrials plastics resellers. If you want it but cant find it contact the manufacturer below and ask them where it is sold in your area.

http://www.alucobond.com/

Hard shell seat

2006-08-01T11:51:00.000-06:00

Here is a easy way to make a hard shell recumbent seat on the cheap. All you need is some 1/2 inch ply for the side rails and some 1-1/2 by 1/2 inch slats cut to the right lengths. Then glue and screw together. I have not made one like this but I am positive it will work. Here is a link to a PDF file with some dimensional information. Hard Shell Seat PDF

Here is a letter size paper print out that you can cut up to make a full size profile.
Link

And here is the DXF file
Link

2005-07-27T21:28:00.000-06:00

And a side... Hope this turns out as good as my 2x4 lowracer, see the archives back to last september....

2005-07-27T21:27:00.000-06:00

Back view

2005-07-27T21:26:00.000-06:00

Concept 2x4 semi highracer. I now have a new house, new shop, and new tools! so I am Back! This site is going to be more active again.

2005-02-28T12:46:00.001-07:00

Front view

2005-02-28T12:46:00.000-07:00

More detail

2005-02-28T12:44:00.001-07:00

Top detail

2005-02-28T12:44:00.000-07:00

Base of spine detail

2005-02-28T12:43:00.000-07:00

Spine brazed into place

2005-02-18T22:35:00.000-07:00

This still is not the best because of my budget the 2 x 4's used are not all that straight, but due to budgetary limitations I had to use what I have in my shop.

2005-02-18T22:34:00.000-07:00

End view

2005-02-18T22:33:00.002-07:00

Better flanked side shot

2005-02-18T22:33:00.001-07:00

End shot

2005-02-18T22:33:00.000-07:00

Here is the main spine done I will have to do the outrigger area in the next couple of days. I hope to have the time to rent a 1" conduit bender and attach the front axel by the end of the long weekend.

2005-02-18T22:31:00.000-07:00

I have decided to make a simple wood jig for making my trike here is the peliminary design

For those new here....

2005-02-09T21:26:00.000-07:00

http://members.shaw.ca/b.eadie/
this is a 3D view of what I am trying to achive, but as I said I am bashing this together so what you see is subject to change.

2005-02-09T20:18:00.000-07:00

I will next notch the bottom of the uprigth tube and then braze it in. Next will be the front axel! I am still not sure what I am going to do for the steering or chain routing but this is sort of a bash it together project....

2005-02-09T20:15:00.000-07:00

You cannot see it from this picuture but the rear stays are not quite square with the ground. Why did I not make a jig you ask? Well it is part lazyness and second since it is a prototype I figured I can, before the frame is fully assembled, vice it and bend it into shape as I go, for what I want this will do for now.

2005-02-09T20:13:00.000-07:00

Side view of how it will look once brazed.

2005-02-09T20:12:00.000-07:00

With the tube cradled.

2005-02-09T20:11:00.001-07:00

Top view

2005-02-09T20:11:00.000-07:00

Well its been a while since I have had a chance to work on the new trike. but tonight I was not busy and the temperature is a balmy -5 celcius. SO I have heated up and bent the ends of the upper chainstays in to accept the back of the seat tube. I then carved them out usiing my dremel to have a decent fit to accept the tube for brazing. The next few pics show what was done.

2005-01-05T19:39:00.000-07:00

First section done by the way it was -25C in the shop this day...It Sucked! even brazing didnt warm me up.

2005-01-05T19:38:00.000-07:00

And braze it to the two conduits again have a look at the 3d model in the links below for locations

2005-01-05T19:37:00.000-07:00

Carve out a little spacer

2005-01-05T19:36:00.001-07:00

PIcture of the brazed section

2005-01-05T19:36:00.000-07:00

Braze the pieces together

2005-01-05T19:35:00.000-07:00

Next bend up some conduit to match plans. I will publish the plans but you can see a 3D version here http://members.shaw.ca/b.eadie/

2005-01-05T19:31:00.000-07:00

The build of the trike begins.. First remove the back end of a mountain bike fram

2004-12-06T19:48:00.000-07:00

Sorry for no postings lately. I have been busy during the holiday season but promise to have more great news for the new year. untill then have a happy holiday and all the best to you and yours

2004-11-20T14:36:00.000-07:00

2004-11-20T14:35:00.002-07:00

2004-11-20T14:35:00.001-07:00

2004-11-20T14:35:00.000-07:00

The next project...

2004-11-20T14:34:00.000-07:00

2004-11-20T14:32:00.001-07:00

2004-11-20T14:32:00.000-07:00

All Done!

2004-11-17T19:29:00.000-07:00

After paint. Pretty amazing if you ask me. I still have some cables and the chain but I will be riding tomorow. The additions to the frame make it SOLID! Good in some ways but I am going to feel the road more and I am not sure if my rear is ready for it.

2004-11-17T19:27:00.000-07:00

Before Paint....

2004-11-14T22:42:00.000-07:00

It never fails to amaze me what a coat of paint can do to the look of something. I am sure the crappy brazing I have done will be less noticeable now :) Yes there are some really crappy brazes here but they are holding so I dont want to mess with them. Also have a look at one of the pictures of the frame below and see the difference a coat of paint will make.

2004-11-14T22:38:00.000-07:00

Primed up and ready for the first coat of paint.

2004-11-14T22:37:00.000-07:00

Because of my ummmm errrrr aaaahemmm weight. I needed to re-enforce the frame a little as it was bending under my weight... The added crossbraces will do the trick I am sure, note how it does not look so bad now that there is primer on the frame.

2004-11-14T22:18:00.000-07:00

So I have done some painting and will have some pictures shortly. I also have started a Recumbent Rider Group in Yahoo groups for all Calgary enthusiasts. Let anyone you know that is interested in recmbents in Calgary and southern Alberta know about it! http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Recumbent_Calgary

2004-11-08T18:27:00.000-07:00

Sorry no posts lately I have been busy working on a office move and other commitments. I have posted a trike tipping reoprt on this site though if you are interested in the science of Trike design. http://www.adventuresofgreg.com/HPVlog/11-05-04.html

Also I plan on the primer coat of paint on the last bike tonight.

Ben

2004-10-30T19:24:00.001-06:00

2004-10-30T19:24:00.000-06:00

2004-10-30T19:23:00.001-06:00

2004-10-30T19:23:00.000-06:00

Well its 90% there! I have ridden it and it goes great! to follow are a few pictures. I will be changing the steering system, and then adding a frame brace to stiffen the frame.

2004-10-29T13:10:00.000-06:00

So went out on a test cruise yesterday and wow this thing rocks, cumfy, coasts good.... There was a small crack developing on one of my braze areas that will have to be fixed and once I figgure out what force created it I may add another piece to the frame to stabilize it. As it stands now you can feel the frame flex on bumps giving a suspension effect which in nice for ride but that in the end could be bad for the frame and welds so I will design the flex out.

2004-10-23T16:11:00.000-06:00

I have also been thinking of making a self propelled snowmobile, If I can figure out how to rig up a big fat rear drive tire for flotation and grip and make a tadpole style trike frame with skis I bet it would be a blast to ride. Next Project? Here is a pic of a similar design for ice, so remember big rear tire with studs and skies to the front.

2004-10-23T16:07:00.000-06:00

I have been given crappy overall pics of the bike so here is a semi decent one, I would go outside to take one but seenig as there is a foot of snow out there....

2004-10-23T16:06:00.000-06:00

I was asked how my idler wheel setup worked. First I needed a place to mount it and there was this crank shell at the back of my frame so,,,
1. I made a wood plug and to make sure it was a tight fit I wrapped it in hockey tape.
2. Next I put one bearing cup into the crank shell.
3. Then tapped in the plug
4. Next added the second bearing cup to trap the plug.
5. I then needed to space the idler wheel out so I used some 1/2 sced 40 pvc to space it
6. Added the idler wheel.
7. Gathered the chain up into the UHMW plastic piece I machined previously and bolted it all together.

Works quite slick I must say. Greg asked me if the top chain or the drive chain was being pulled down or redirected by this idler setup as it would make a low efficiency system, so, worried, I went to the shop and checked, strangely enough it does not hinder the chain in anyway all the way through the gears... Got lucky on this one eh!

2004-10-19T19:59:00.001-06:00

Motion pic

2004-10-19T19:59:00.000-06:00

A close up of the progress

2004-10-19T19:58:00.001-06:00

Here I am machining the keeper for the chain.

2004-10-19T19:58:00.000-06:00

Here it is with the chain attached, click the picture to enlarge and you will notice that the bottom bracket at the back was used to mount the idler wheel and I machined a keeper out of UHMW plastic to keep the chain on the wheel using my handy dandy unimat mill

2004-10-19T19:56:00.000-06:00

Better pic with the seat attached, I bent the handlebar neck up to clear my knees, but this will change, A friend Greg warned me that tiller steering sucks and he is right, I will soon be redoing the steering, but at least I can ride it now.