RODS build........

[Manky Monkey]

Copied from another thread on Rod's behalf:

Well,after a lot of thought and hours of measuring/pondering,we decided that the best way is to get it up and running,then test ride it on a local airfield,which will also give me an incentive to finish it! S-o-o-o-o...I'm now gonna finish all the little odds and sods,like making the pedal and peg aly covers/running all the wiring ,but only wiring up the engine /buying some re-con rear calipers etc. In fact everything needed to make it go/stop will be done. Then we will look at what ever rears its ugly head(or not) on the test run.Either way I will then strip it and re-do the troublesome bits we,ve found or strip it to paint it and finish it. This whole process could take sometime,but as I said Ive got a massive incentive now!
       I still havent got my head round the route for the flexy brake pipes from forks to bridge the gap to the frame,so I'll be watching TB's thread closely..........
        Another prob I have is a bolt is broken that clamps one of the fork front legs together to hold the front spindle,so Ive either gotta drill it out or use a thread extractor.
      I also need to make spacers for the front spindle ,as The speedo drive isnt there ,and the wheel is sliding left/right on the spindle!
   Gotta also locate a brake compensating valve,and some half shaft end nuts.
    Headlights are done ,mudguards will now wait until later,(altho they are designed) along with the marker lights which are ordered .Rear lights are also done.Handle bars are done.
         Rod
 

[tbone]

Sounds like a plan mate, i seem to remember Desperate Dan once saying that he would often build, strip, build, strip, anything up to 5 times before the final assembly. Im following a similier line with mine, i`m going for a complete dry build , get it all up and running, then strip it all down again for painting.
I`m not going to be a lot of use re your brake hose issue i`m afraid, at the moment i`m leaning toward seperate front/rear brakes, with the front calipers lever operated on the bars (traditional setup), so my flexis will run up the forks. I`ve not commited myself yet though, next time i`m in the shed i`ll take a proper look.

[ROD]

Amid the saga in my other read regarding the fork problem  ,I'm now at the stage I get to in any build ,where Im throwing money at it at a hell of a rate,buying all the little odds and sods like fan belt,wheelbearings ,switches etc etc ,that allows me to finish it and get it running. Add to that the cost of the fork balls up ,and its quite a few quid,all for "unseen" bits.
 Some work Im doing for the shake down runs,eg brakes,have obviously got to be right,so they will be the finished article,but other bits will be basic,eg wiring,just to get it running ,with an ign switch and a kill switch wired.The ign switch needs a mount,so I thought Id better finish the battery box properly. In the past Ive made huge lists of stuff to do,but this time Im not bothering. I just go in the garage and do whatever comes to mind .Or take measurements of stuff to be machined up one evening ,and machine them the next evening.A lot of my attention at present is around the axle area. This means calipers have been sent off to reds,w/brgs ordered,brackets made for h/brake.Battery box has been fitted and refitted ,and fitted and......you know the deal!
              Rod

[Manky Monkey]

Sounds like you're a very busy bunny. Grab a piccie of the progress when you get a chance eh. 

[ROD]

Just a quick ,non pic update....
 Been working every spare minute on the Trike. Got a bit of leave coming up at end of October (half term) so hoping to bring it to a stage of being able to test ride it by end of that week!

[Manky Monkey]

Bloody 'ell! I've been building mine, on & off, for the last couple of years & still not got it mobile!
Well done Rod.

[VALLEYSBOY]

good on yrs Rod

[ROD]

Dont forget Andy, that.....
 a) Im only getting the basics wired /piped up and running,the frame needs paint ,yours is more finished in that respect.
 b)The tried and tested frame design has allowed me to really push ahead with this without too many worries about strength etc.
 c)The help Ive received on this forum has contributed to the speed of the build so far.
 d)Still got a long way to go before MSVA !
             Rod

[Manky Monkey]

I feel so much better about mine now
....somebody help me! 

[ROD]

Today I machined up some outer cable stops ,and some large nipples (oo er!) for the Vehicle Wiring Products inner and outer cable to fit to my rear calipers.

[Manky Monkey]

I wish I had a lathe -& the skill to use it. 

[ROD]

Heres a few pics ....Hope they help someone along the build process!
 Finished brake set up o/side,I machined the outercable stops ,didnt know what they looked like on the golf.Made the nipples from s/steel.

This is a blurred shot of the g/lever ala terror tuby. It is the prototype ,but worked so well I will remake it after the shakedown runs.


The elecs box in progress!All wires will eventually be rununder or along side the frame in a tube ,hidden.

H/brake mechanism.This will be covered with a piece of s/steel shaped to suit.The t piece for the brakes will be hidden inside the stainless bracket that is wrapped round the axle tube. The mechanism will work ok,but Im not too sure about this whole area and set up as it looks shabby. May re build it ,or cover it in the stainless as mentioned.

 This is the brake block I had made to connect the front pipes. ..One pipe either end ,the other comes in from thro' the gusset.(oo er!)This will allow the pipe to run under the main tube from the t piece situated in the battery box.

 An overall view. You can just make out the seat springs. I made the seat hinge from s/s.

 l/h side. The down pipe was a barsteward to get right ,will be covered in either wrap or a heatshield over that area.I hacked up a complete brand new Reliant exhaust for those bends!Got some bends ala Andy for the rest of the system,welded them together,but waiting to get some 'bike exhaust clamps in S/SThe clutch linkage is still in progress ,as I dont know about how much 'throw' it will need to operate until I get it fired up.Once I know ,I can then remove it and clean off all the excess steel etc.The threaded rod is to be replaced with s/steel rod I have.Will make proper spacers for the Alt bracket at a later date!The bolts protruding from the footpegs will be replaced with grub screws. They are bearing onto the bolts welded to the frame. The aly peg has recessess in the ends to take the nuts that will also hold them on.

 r/h side.

[tbone]

Looking good mate, the trike that is, not you  . All that done in double quick time, you`ll be on the road before me.

[VALLEYSBOY]

thats proper tidy m8

[oldskoob]

jeez i wish mine was making progress as quick!!!!!