lectraplayer

When my grandad went to dejunking this weekend, me and him scared up a trike I remember him having when I was riding training wheels. He gave it (and some other stuff) to me to scrap, but I have pulled it aside to see if I can fix it and ride it. While I have no intentions of keeding it "original," (as i haven't a clue as far as what it is) I do need a utility "petal truck" for hauling groceries, etc. from the store. Sometimes the ol' mountain bike just won't get it (especially since somebody helped themselves to it). Stay tuned for more...

Andrew R Stewart 

Trikes can have some unique to trikes parts, specificly the rear wheels, hubs, axles. Some of these parts might still be in use by current trikes, some not. Many LBS's will turn their noses at trikes, a lot about the sales and service of trikes is a time pit and the riders often don't have a lot of income.

But I do wish you success in your project. Andy.

bobotech

We got in a cheap single speed trike with one of those 1 piece crank setups at my co-op. Ashutuba or however its spelled. We fixed it up for a regular who comes in but it was a lot of labor involved.

We replaced all 4 bearings in the rear axle assembly, they were available at a local bearing supply house.

We replaced the 1 piece crank with a modern 3 piece triple by using one of those bolt in adapters from the JB catalog.

Now the fun part. We noticed that the drive hub was pretty much the same as a rear freehub setup. We used a cheap disc brake freehub and mounted the drive cog to the disc brake mounting holes. The rear drive chain lined up just fine with the drive cog, we were lucky in the sense that the axle drive cog had a set screw that allowed it to slide sideways on the axle so we could align the cogs. Then we put a 7 speed cassette on the cassette side of the freehub. I forget how but we managed to mount a derailleur on there. Put some standard thumb friction shifters on the handlebars.

The customer ended up with a working 21 speed trike. WAYYYY too much time involved in modifying it but it was fun and we were bored at the time.. If you have the spare parts and time, you could fix it up but it all depends on what you want from it.

bobotech

Here are a couple of pictures of what we ended up doing to the drivetrain of the cheap trike.

lectraplayer

That looks pretty cool. Is that gold chain pretty much a jackchain?

In looking at mine, I think mine lacks a clutch/freewheel and brakes. It looks like the rear cog is intended to go on an electric (industrial) motor. If there was a clutch, coaster brakes, freewheel, etc., where would it typically hide?

It still pedaled fine until I broke the chain.

Drive is right side. Wish it was "solid axle."

lectraplayer

Here's a look at my trike. The light on ths front obviously means a lighting kit is forth coming. The handlebar was also changed out as the other one was about to fold on me. Beyond that, a chain and a seat and I will see where I am at. Still hard to believe that the back tires held air and the front just had a nick in the valve stem. All 3 at 25psi for now.

While I am here, where would I look for baskets to go behind the seat?

Also while I am thinking aloud, what all would be involved with making this a kick-start pedallec?

bikeman715

Any LBS (bike shop) with a QBP 's account (which most Bike Shop have ) should be able to help you out with finding a basket for your trike . To do this trike right it will take money and lot of time to get her working again . The chain might take 2 of them together to get the reach (from the cranks to the rear cog ) . I had restored a few of these trike for people . Good luck !

lectraplayer

Got a chain on it and built a makeshift seat stay, and did a little pedaling. It is certainly an interesting animal. No freewheel and no brakes (yet). I can't find any identifying marks on it, but considering where I got it from, I would assume maybe a JC Higgins (Sears) 1960's model. Did Sears have tricycles? More importantly, how can I figure out what kind it is?

dabac

A basket is a basket. No special qualities needed to make it a trike basket. All it needs to do is to match the space available. You might be able to repurpose a wire basket from a freezer or one intended to go in a closet/wardrobe.

Myosmith

Plastic milk crates make great grocery hauling baskets if you are just looking for something functional. You might even be able to mount two side-by-side.

Dan Burkhart 

I used to sell and service trikes, and one of their wear points was rear axle bearings, particularly when they used these cheap stamped steel cartridge bearings.



Best picture I can find on line at the moment. I've got some of those around here somewhere. They are basically junk, and have to be replaced frequently. I've seen them cut right through an axle shaft when ignored too long.
It wouldn't be so bad if you could get high quality replacement bearings to fit, but you can't.

bikeman715

Yes , Sears did sell trikes from the 60's-70's . From one of your photos you can see where the dropouts are crimp into the frame and not welded , meaning it came from a dept . store like Sears . It could be a JC Higgins or it can be a Huffy from that time point .

fietsbob

second chain runs just one wheel , Right?

in the shop those have a solid steel axle , the single speed freewheel connects to that shaft with a keyway .
half the key in a slot in each part. with the set screw on the rear drive
you can remove the whole gear as you relax the grip on the top of the keyway
them pu;l the shaft to get the gear off

Shop gets a 3 speed hubs with 2 sprockets on one where the spokes would go so it is turning the 2nd chain.

but then you need 2 chain tensioners .. the above Derailleur with a 6 bolt cog instead of a disc is good too,

then you need a derailleur hanger..

Keystock can be found at any automobile parts shop , in 12" lengths hack saw-off as needed. ..

lectraplayer

I wonder if this is it?

Old big Tricycle. Need help identfying it. (not a bike hehe)

bikeman715

It look like the same trike to me .

lectraplayer

Tomorrow I intend to carry it to Bob's Bikes - Alabama, Specialized, Giant, Birmingham, Homewood to let Bob look at it. Where is the best place to find parts for trikes in general?

fietsbob

they would have access thru their suppliers I expect ..

how about, when you are there, ask .. Bob..

Bezalel

Was the chain on the left side or did someone flip the cranks because of a missing transmission?

lectraplayer

That's what I'm starting to think. I noticed one thing it had was a "click switch" 3 position shifter. It was "backwards" when I got it so I intend to leave it until I get it built up a bit and decide it needs semething slightly different.

I do think it would be wise to gear it like my mountain bike once I get used to riding it.