Pre-fabricated parts for tadpole

[PaulPb]

I purchased plans for the street fox in the past spring, I studied the plans and made a list of materials I would need - I haven't begun the project yet.......

Looking at your new warrior trike I noticed that the design is a little simpler
(no rear end from a mtn. bike needed), which might make the build easier (?).

What looked like the hardest part in the street fox design to me, is the fabrication of the Axles for front wheels.

does anyone make pre-built parts for the front axles for a tadploe trike (spindles, headtubes, steering knuckles) etc.?

Regards; PaulPb

[Locutus]

Greenspeed might be a good source if you are okay with 12 mm axles and bushed kingpin instead of the head tube design Brad uses. When I built my Street Fox I simply welded the head of a 20 mm bolt to the end of the fork tube. No need for tabs. Like this:

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/Locutus59/Workshop/Bikes197.jpg?t=1239943226

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/Locutus59/Workshop/Bikes202.jpg?t=1240121528

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g292/Locutus59/Workshop/Bikes226.jpg?t=1241757566

[jimFPU]

Hey Loc, how long are those bolts and where did you get them?

[trikeman]

That method that Loc is using is pretty close to the one illustrated on 25Hz's site. He even shows you how to make a jig to get the angle right. It should work on any of Brad's designs with a little bit of modding.

http://www.fleettrikes.com/tth2.htm#kingpins

[Locutus]

Hey Loc, how long are those bolts and where did you get them?


I don't remember the length, but I think the way to do it is to take one of your hubs down to the hardware store and find a length that when slipped all the way through the hub, the bolt's threads only go into the hub about 1/8" or less. In other words, you want the non-threaded portion of the bolt inside the hub, not the threads, while still being able to tighten it down with a lock nut. I had about an inch of thread left over after tightening the nylock nuts. I cut off the excess.

I bought the bolts at my local McLendon Hardware store. Two bolts and two Nylock nuts came to less than 4 bucks, total.

[PaulPb]

Those look interesting ......

I haven't learned to weld - and most likely will get someone who is a pro at it to do it for me -

I found these spindles on www.gottrikes.com

I can't seem to upload a photo for some reason) It looks like an angled drilled through the spindle to attach to hub.

Thanks so far; Paul

[Locutus]

Those look interesting ......

I haven't learned to weld - and most likely will get someone who is a pro at it to do it for me -

Thanks so far; Paul

You might want to reconsider this. Pro welders are expensive to hire. You can find an AC arc welder for less than a hundred bucks, new.

It's not that hard to learn. I had never welded before in my life (I'm 50) before I started this hobby. And while my welds aren't pretty, they seem to be strong enough and the cosmetics is nothing a grinder, bondo and paint can't cure.

Even if you do hire a welder, you'd probably want to at least tack it together first anyway.

I'm glad I took the time to learn, and I'm sure you will be too if you try it.