Almost ready to start

[kgwolf]

I hope you guys allow me to join in the fun.:D I got the plans awhile back, have most of the parts and enough free tubing to make the frame. I didn't realize when I started ordering parts that it would be so easy to get carried away. My wife has asked me if this was going to end up being cheaper than buying one? I tolded her it would be (hopefully it will end up that way, at the rate I am going it is not going to be much). I have read posts from a member that was selling the 5/8" freewheel adapter (I believe Elliot) but I am not sure how to get ahold of him. I am not sure how these forums work, so I need help. :confused: I hope this thing turns out half as cool :cool: as the ones you guys have already made. It looks like the DW would be so much fun to ride. Hope to be visiting with some of you in the future. Thanks, KG

[TheKid]

If you can't get the adapter from Elliot, you can get them here:

http://www.bikepartsusa.com/bikeparts/item/01-6778743/search/Miami-Sun--Trike-Freewheel-Adapters-58in&category=search

Or you can make your own from a rear hub off a donor bike with freewheel threads. This post has a few:

http://forum.atomiczombie.com/showthread.php?t=1312

If you just need a disc adapter, it can be made with one side of a 36 hole hub without the threads. It's basically the same procedure I used in the link above. It can be modified using the other methods shown if you don't want to weld it to the axle. I modified the one I made to work like Richie Rich's

If at all possible, using parts from other bikes is the way to go, as Brad explains in his plan. You can get used bikes from the curb on trash nights, thrift shops, and Craigslist, as well as other sources. Search the posts, and you'll find a myriad of info on getting donor bikes, fabricating your own parts, and all kinds of other innovative ideas.

[kgwolf]

Thanks for the reply. I will check out bike parts tomarrow. The bikes you and the rest of the guys are great. Out here in NW Nebraska you just don't see anything like a DW. I can't wait to get started. I am taking a welding class at the local high school in hopes that I can "get'r done".

[TheKid]

That's a good start. Many of us never welded before starting this hobby, and it still shows for some of us. Maybe you'll be able to assemble your frame in welding class.

[John Lewis]

Hi KG,
Welcome to the insanity.

I'm sure you will have lots of fun building the wolf, not to mention all the new skills you will learn. The payoff is that you get to ride it. :)

Mine is almost ready to go and I've found all the people on the forum were only too willing to help when i needed advice. they're a great bunch.

Don't forget to take lots of pictures to post in the forum.

John Lewis

[trikeman]

I hope you guys allow me to join in the fun.:D I got the plans awhile back, have most of the parts and enough free tubing to make the frame. I didn't realize when I started ordering parts that it would be so easy to get carried away. My wife has asked me if this was going to end up being cheaper than buying one? I tolded her it would be (hopefully it will end up that way, at the rate I am going it is not going to be much). I have read posts from a member that was selling the 5/8" freewheel adapter (I believe Elliot) but I am not sure how to get ahold of him. I am not sure how these forums work, so I need help. :confused: I hope this thing turns out half as cool :cool: as the ones you guys have already made. It looks like the DW would be so much fun to ride. Hope to be visiting with some of you in the future. Thanks, KG

Welcome to the forum. The costs do tend to mount up if you are not careful. In my case it was mostly the cost of tools, since I didn't have a welder or any other real metal working tools (like grinders). The good news about tools is that I don't think I have ever regretted buying one. I always find a use for them later.

When I built my wolf, I tried to use as few purchased parts as I could. That meant scrounging up a few thrift store bikes for parts, but I still ended up spending between $175-$200 on it, not counting tools. A man can do far worse things with his money, and its a great hobby. Since I only weighed about 200 pounds (less now) when I built mine, I stuck with the 5/8" axles which have held up fine. I used a hub part of one of the old bikes for the adapter you are talking about. Brad describes how to do this in the plans.

After the first bike, everything gets cheaper. I don't people should necessarily think of this as a way to save money by not buying a $1000-$3000 recumbent, but rather as an enjoyable and creative way to spend your time, which also happens to result in a great recumbent or two, or three etc to boot.

[Maddog]

After the first bike, everything gets cheaper. I don't people should necessarily think of this as a way to save money by not buying a $1000-$3000 recumbent, but rather as an enjoyable and creative way to spend your time, which also happens to result in a great recumbent or two, or three etc to boot.

Amen, amen, amen.

[SirJoey]

Kgwolf? What? Another wolf building another wolf? Go figure...

Welcome to the Krew, dude! :)

http://img384.imageshack.us/img384/7131/sirjoeysigmedij1.gif

[trikeman]

KG - as a post note. If you buy all the parts, I guarantee it will not be cheaper than buying new bike. Get as much as you can from old bikes, or buy a Walmart bike and take the new parts off of it. I have the same problem with my favorite upwrong road bike. I paid $125 for it, but it came with a nice Shimano 105 grupo and good rims etc. Everytime I have replace a part with a new one, I can't help thinking about how they cost almost as much as the bike did. New parts are expensive if you buy them one at a time.

[ggriffin924]

I began to think that mine might cost as much as buying one also, but it was mainly because after it started looking so cool. I spent more on new components, it is really a cool trike and you begin to see the nice lines and want to throw to much money at the bling bling. I am really glad I decided to build instead of buy, its nice to be able to tell people you built it. And it did end up costing a lot less than a bought one, but there were some doubts when I got on an ordering frenzy or two.

-Griffin-

[locolarry]

kgwolf-

Welcome to the Krewe!

It's a fun place to live!

This site helped me a lot, too. I'm self-learning( not taught) www.hobartwelders.com/weldtalk/

Locolarry

[kgwolf]

This looks like a pretty good Krew to join, even if "kgwolf" is not being very imaginative. I checked on the freewheel adaptor today and was told the distributor is out and it is backordered:(. There is a couple of places I will check on Monday, hoping they have one:). The closest bike shops and pawn shops that I could pick up a bike for parts is 125 miles away. I have most of the parts here of coming, so the "spending:eek: frenzy" is about over, but the "bling, bling" thing is pretty hard to resist. I hope I can figure out how to post a picture when I get started building.
Thanks again guys.