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Making a recumbent trike

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Making a recumbent trike

Old 08-04-20, 09:19 PM
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Cern
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Making a recumbent trike

Hello and good day to you all!

I'm wanting to acquire a tadpole recumbent trike, but with things being as they are; there's no way I can buy one. So I thought, "Why not make one?"

So far the most feasible idea I've had is modifying a normal trike, but I thought "If its so easy, why haven't a bunch of people done it?" sooo I have tried my best to make an example of the modification. Basically I'd be cutting out the seat post, adding a seat against the front of the frame which now faces what was the back of the trike and is now the front of it (I'd make a frame from steel to bolt on and attach the seat to that), and adding a post to the now front end and relocating the peddles and all that good stuff. For the steering, I'd add new long handle bars that come in from behind that you can rest your arms on. Basically it would be the inverse of the original steering system. So with that all said, would you good folks with more experience then I, weigh in and tell me why this won't work? Thank you for any input you may have!

(I'd include a picture of the idea but I can't post pictures until I make more posts!)
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Old 08-05-20, 03:30 PM
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Then you can show us the home machine shop you have, to make this possible..
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Old 08-05-20, 03:49 PM
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Originally Posted by fietsbob
Then you can show us the home machine shop you have, to make this possible..

I beg your pardon? I’m asking for help.

I'd like to (as respectfully as possible) ask that if you can't/will not help, that you will not make further disruptions in my quest to get more knowledge on this topic. Yes I've angle grinders, a drill press and hand drills, a small Miller MIG welder; etc. No I don't have a super fancy shop, if I can't get it done through conventional means; I shall find another way or get help.

Last edited by Cern; 08-05-20 at 04:14 PM. Reason: (To add the request)
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Old 08-06-20, 09:51 AM
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Bike tubing is too thin for MIG , You'd need to use heavy steel for the welding gear you own,

buy a TIG welding Rig,

Or plan on doing a lot of fillet brazing..
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Old 08-06-20, 10:35 AM
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where are you going to ride it? I understand it won't go up hills well.
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Old 08-06-20, 01:41 PM
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Originally Posted by fietsbob
Bike tubing is too thin for MIG , You'd need to use heavy steel for the welding gear you own,

buy a TIG welding Rig,

Or plan on doing a lot of fillet brazing..
Originally Posted by HeyItsSara
where are you going to ride it? I understand it won't go up hills well.

Hello y'all and thank you for the replies!

Thank you for pointing out how thin the material is I will be working with, as it was something I was wondering about. The good news is my welder is really flexible and it's not too difficult to swap out for a TIG welder head on it. The local tool rental place should be able to help with that. I don't mind doing fillet brazing either.


I do have some flat areas but it is a little hilly here and I did want to take it off-road a bit. I've head that same thing, but I'll add that I don't mind it too much. It'll just be extra exercise
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Old 08-06-20, 05:39 PM
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Any input on the design/concept though? That is more of the concern. I'm sure I'm likely over looking something and that's why that is the specific topic I'm trying to inquire about.
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Old 08-06-20, 06:32 PM
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Post some more posts, then give us a napkin sketch or something.

​​​​
I think your describing rear steering, which is not very great.
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Old 08-07-20, 09:58 AM
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Conducted your own market survey yet, ?
Our LBS gets print copy bundles of Recumbent and Tandem Rider mag,
there is online access to current issue.. https://www.rtrmag.com/
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Old 08-20-20, 05:46 AM
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Atomic Zombie has plans for a few different styles of trikes. The plans are cheap and would be a good starting point for you. The plans frequently make use of salvaged bike frames/components.
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Old 08-27-20, 10:30 AM
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Originally Posted by fietsbob
Bike tubing is too thin for MIG
Not IMO, I've built several alt bikes with my mig welder, I have zero doubt in their structural integrity.

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Old 08-27-20, 10:44 AM
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Online welding skill work inspection is rather impractical ,,


you use thin wall tubing? less than 1 mm ?
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