Here we go again

[Alaskavan]

The other day, as I was driving home, I came upon a guy riding a tadpole. I stopped to check it out. It was an HP Velotechnik Scorpion. Full suspension. I truly believe that front suspension on a trike is the "Holy Grail". Especially after the last "leg suck" incident I had (I'm still using crutches). A couple of inches higher COG would be worth it in my opinion. Rear suspension is not IMO near as important (though desirable). The trike reacts a lot more mellowly to a bump on the rear tire than it does to one on the front.

 

[SimpleSimon]

The other day, as I was driving home, I came upon a guy riding a tadpole. I stopped to check it out. It was an HP Velotechnik Scorpion. Full suspension. I truly believe that front suspension on a trike is the "Holy Grail". Especially after the last "leg suck" incident I had (I'm still using crutches). A couple of inches higher COG would be worth it in my opinion. Rear suspension is not IMO near as important (though desirable). The trike reacts a lot more mellowly to a bump on the rear tire than it does to one on the front.

And I absolutely agree. Unfortunately, there is no hope of my purchasing such, nor is the construction of such within my skills. I can and have designed just such a trike, but I recognize that building it is way beyond my skill level.

 

[GearNut]

10 ball joints and 2 shocks and you have yourself independent front suspension.
The ball joints are a bit pricy though.

 

[SimpleSimon]

Actually, I've got a design with twin double A-arm and angled shocks that I've developed,
The geometry is straight forward enough, but fabricating it is beyond my skills and equipment. Each side requires two A-frame members that, while quite similar, are different enough to present separate fabrication issues. Of course, the other side is a mirror image of that.

The nice thing about the design is that it lends itself readily to either a recumbent tadpole overall design, or to a crank forward semi-upright bike. In addition, it will accommodate wheel sizes between 18" and 26".

 

[GearNut]

That sounds very cool!
I have had a design stuck in my head for years. I do not have nor know how to do CAD programs, or else it would all ready be drawn up.
The A arms are simple to make with a particle board jig and a mig welder.

I wish you all the luck, good fortune, and godspeed with your new build!

 

[vegaspaddy]

hi SS,

Box should be on your doorstop tomorrow, anyhow here is some info straight from the manual.

The Subaru Micro series engines are designed to run in a wide range of positions. The patented oil lubrication system is elegant in its engineering simplicity. The natural pressure changes in the crankcase caused by the piston movement in the cylinder are harnessed to pump the oil throughout the engine. Oil is pumped from a reservoir in the base of the engine through a network of one-way valves for reliable lubrication and long engine life without the need to keep the engine level.


and also.....

NOTE :
If the engine is operated at upside
down, white smoke may be
exhausted from the muffler.

upside down now THATS crazy me thinks i would be a little more worried than just WHITE SMOKE along with trying to change the oil !!!!!!

so as far as been able to get it to fit snugly i dont think you have too many worries....

http://209.62.29.198/articles.aspx?t=e&id=17

http://209.62.29.198/productsupport.aspx?pid=50

send me a pm when you get everything checked out..

VP....

 

[vegaspaddy]

IN section 3 , page 6 of the service manual (link 2 in the above message)it goes into more detail about the engine running at various points off center.

kudos to r/s for having there service/ repair manuals online so everybody can access them and not get ripped off having to buy seperate ones later.

 

[SimpleSimon]

Been a bit busy and distracted, but I've received the package from vegaspaddy, and today, from srdavo. Thanks a whole bunch guys!

After receiving the GEBE kit I realized I'd need to modify the design a bit to lengthen, allowing clearance for the engine to swing. So I've drawn a new frame - same basic design but longer, and I modified the rear triangle a bit - I realized I'd engaged in overkil as far as strength of materials required severely in the first design.

 

[SimpleSimon]

What with the trip to Oregon and all, I've made small progress to date. I do have the angle iron prepped for my detail cuts, but it is going slowly because my Dr gives me enormous grief about staying off my right foot until the wound on my heel finishes healing up, so I can't be at the workbench for long at all.

I expect to get the components of the ladder frame cut and finished this week, then next week the rear triangle pieces and the rack. I need to get an 8' joint of 1.5" x 1.5" square tubing for the drop axle, then fab that up. Since the drop axle has a 15 degree back tilt for Ackerman compensation, the ladder frame side rails need to be cut to fit that angle.

Attached is a finalized sketch with the major frame components dimensioned on it.

 

[Turtle Tedd]

SS...that one looks like an excellent frame design to me..cant beat that square steel tubing..should be a strong trike and will be able to take to being motorized