recumbent bike about done

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Final updates before painting. Some of my welds on the little cable-guide thingies really suck. I am NOT good with the finger-control I have on my torch - give me a pedal any day. Anyway hope to give it a trial ride tomorrow after work if the weather doesn't suck.- John Attached Images
Reply:Looks good, simple clean.  Although, the seat looks a bit uncomfortable.  If I was going to make one, I'd consider putting a Laz-z-Boy on it, or a t least a bucket seat.   Let us know how it rides, any adjustments you didn't anticipate and send another pic when it's painted.Hobart 140 Handler w/ gasHyperTherm Powermax 380 Plasmaoxy/acetylene
Reply:They call those "cable guide thingies"  braze-ons.  They are usually brazed.Nice job.  Let us know how it handles.  Do you think you will do an idler.  I made an idler out of a roller blade wheel.  I mounted it on a saw drill press and gouged it with the end of a file as it spun.  A tool rest was made to aid in leverage.
Reply:Yeah I'll probably do an idler, the exact same thing, a rollerblade wheel. I have one left-over from the bike I did for my daughter.The seat is a bit narrow, even for my narrow a**. I may make a new one, have to wait and see how it feels.- John
Reply:Here is a photo of a bent seat that I have used for about 30 years.  I cut out two pieces of 1/2" plywood in the dimensions shown and joined them with a fairly large hinge, so the seat back angle could be adjusted to fit the frame.  Then I mounted it to the frame with screw-on U-clamps.  Seat cover is naugahyde over some foam padding.  Be sure to put extra padding under your butt.I've use this seat on both LWB and SWB models. Attached ImagesLast edited by Weldordie; 07-20-2007 at 01:32 AM.
Reply:Hey thanks for the detailed pic.I rode it for the first time last night - my seat padding from the boat seat is definitely too firm. Other than that, a nice ride with a few minor issues, like the chain getting my pant leg greasy, and the chain rubbing a bit on the rear of the frame, which an idler will fix.- John
Reply:What did you use for plans?  Or did you just "wing it"?  I take it you've built these before?Gary
Reply:I bought plans for $15 from atomiczombie.com. He's made a variety of interesting bikes.Nice to go from something that has the geometries all worked out, I could see making something un-ridable from just winging it. Although I'm still temped to make a freakish 10-foot long bike for riding on the bikepath behind my house.- John
Reply:John,Have you ridden enough to determine if there is much "spring" in the frame?W
Reply:I don't notice any spring in the frame, the tubing is 1/16" wall which is pretty dang rigid. - John
Reply:Couldn't imagine I you would want it too rigid since you are absorbing all the shock-unlike an upright bike where arms and legs can be used as shocks.I was at Toy r us today.  They have an upright bike with disc brakes. The bike is $119.  Might be a good sacrificial bicycle for the disc brakes.
Reply:Brad would be proud of your bike!!!! Post it on his gallery too!
Reply:I will (brad is the atomic zombie), but not until I get it painted.- John
Reply:John,Man that's a loooooooooong chain!   Maybe make some chain/pant guards?  You've got tools and a welder, so get to it!   And just what every living room should have, a photo backdrop just in case a need to shoot some pictures comes up!
Reply:Originally Posted by MoonRiseJohn,Man that's a loooooooooong chain!   Maybe make some chain/pant guards?  You've got tools and a welder, so get to it!   And just what every living room should have, a photo backdrop just in case a need to shoot some pictures comes up!
Reply:Good jobI just started on a meridian myself. Just getting the donor bikes cut/cleaned up right now.  I Have a set of front forks similar to the ones you used for "chain stays" on the rear.  I was worried about the brazed on caps interfering with the weld and was going to look for another junker but it looks like yours welded fine, now I might try with what I have.
Reply:I had no problems at all with the brazed on caps. As an aside though, the chain rubs the chainstay if I am on the smallest couple of gears on the back. You might think about flattening out the chainstay in that area, maybe. I'm just going to avoid using those gears for now.Keep us posted on your progress !- John
Reply:Originally Posted by runchmanI had no problems at all with the brazed on caps. As an aside though, the chain rubs the chainstay if I am on the smallest couple of gears on the back. You might think about flattening out the chainstay in that area, maybe. I'm just going to avoid using those gears for now.Keep us posted on your progress !- John
Reply:About the modified roller blade wheel as an idler, what exactly are ya modifying on the wheel? making the profile flatter or?Just curious
Reply:Originally Posted by FordBuilderFLAbout the modified roller blade wheel as an idler, what exactly are ya modifying on the wheel? making the profile flatter or?Just curious
Reply:Pretty funky..I have got to show Louie this.. ...zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:I did add an idler wheel, really helps keep the chain from bouncing around, but no effect on the chain rubbing on the chainstay. I'll have to snap some pics one of these days.My idler from a rollerblade wheel is exactly as you showed - I grooved it on my lathe with a square bit. - John
Reply:Originally Posted by zapsterPretty funky..I have got to show Louie this.. ...zap!
Reply:I left a "not" out of my last post.
Reply:Originally Posted by runchmanYou want to see funky?http://atomiczombie.com/gallery/brad.../skywalker.htm- JohnI went ahead and welded up the frame, mostly with tig. I think I got it fairly straight. I made main section about 2 inches longer than the plans, I am pretty tall and pretty fat (the reason for building the bike in the first place) and the back section I welded on about 5 degrees more upright.  All this talk about the chain rubbing the  chainstay had me worried so I stretched a section of chain across the sprockets and i think I have enough clearance.  It might bounce around and get into the chainstay in wich case I can make a guide fairly easily with the roller blade wheel idea. I am worried about the chain hitting my calf so I am thinking of ways to add a guard.
Reply:Post some pictures for us Berniep!!!!
Reply:Pictures?!!And let you guys know exactly how messy my shop and welds are?Actually my camera broke and I have to borrow my wifes.  I plan to take a few pics this weekend. I will have to start my own thread so as not to hijack this one any further.