newbert

I need to shorten the boom length just a small bit (1/2 inch?) on my newly purchased HP Velotechnic Scorpion FS26 and I can't get it to budge. Per the scale on the boom I'm currently at 245,, but I need to get down to 240 or a just a tad lower. Does anyone know what the minimum boom length is on the FS26 without having to cut the boom to shorten it? I've undone both bolts per the instruction booklet and it still won't slide in at all. Either I'm doing something wrong or the boom is already at its minimum physical limit.

Thanks!

DeadGrandpa

I don't know the length of the boom you're looking for, but twisting the boom using the crank arms as handles may free it, if it's stuck. Pull it out a little bit first and squirt some WD-40 on the tube. Twist it as you push it back in. And congratulations on getting your new trike.

newbert

Yeah, I've been trying that, but not with WD-40 (yet). It twists with some effort but won't go in or out. The guy at the bike ship did it with no problem, but he's young and does it every day. I'm an old fart.....

Thanks!

newbert

FYI - OK - Finally got it adjusted. It turns out there is a small allen screw on the bottom of the boom in addition to the 2 bolts mentioned in the instructions. The allen screw is not obvious until you view things from the side. It's protruding head prevented the boom from being shortened any further. Removing this allen screw allowed the boom to be pushed into the frame as needed.

Very poor instructions for this provided by HP Velo,IMO. I have run into other annuying niggles not mentioned in the manual as well. But that's a story for another time. Right now, the frustrations I'm experiencing has me questioning whether I made the right purchase for me. Hopefully I'll feel better about as time goes on.

Leisesturm

I don't know. There must be a good reason for the screws existence. It either keeps the boom straight or keeps you from moving the boom in too far. Why would that be bad (without cutting the boom)? I don't know but you should want to know. Good luck with the trike. If your dealer is too far away we don't mind taking a look at things but we'd need pictures or a short video. How is chain length/tension managed when the boom is adjustable?

newbert

I don't see how that screw helps to keep the boom straight, but it certainly does (correction: did) limit moving the boom in too far. (Why that needs to be prevented is beyond me too. (I do understand the need for limiting the boom being extended out too far, but that's not the case here.)

I'm guessing that perhaps it's something that helps stabilize things during shipping, and the shop neglected to remove it? (I have short legs so I could understand that leaving it in would not be an issue in most cases.)

Regarding chain length management, a link(s) would need to be added/removed when the adjustment is large enough, but not in this case since the adjustment was pretty small.