"It looks like Kittyhawk!"

[rykoala]

That was what somebody said as I rode by on my new Meridian. In fact I think that's my name for my new bike. The "RKK Kittyhawk". Or something LOL.

I welded a tube between the pilots head tube and just below the front head tube. It took out all the bounciness and bump steer, and now its as rock solid as can be. In fact, I did a speed run and easily got to 20mph, and I had a LOT of gearing left. Might I add that I am completely out of shape! Unless you count ROUND as a shape ;)

Now I just have to paint it and add a rack and fenders.

I also owe a HUGE "Thank you!" to both Brad, Kat, and all the forum members. My first build has been a huge success. My wife even likes it and said it was exhilarating to ride. My next build will be a bike for my son. It will be fun!

[n9viw]

Congrats on the Kittyhawk! I love success stories. When do we get to see pics of your mod?

[rykoala]

Pictures are coming tonight. I made a video to show everyone but our digital camera broke! I'll post pictures this evening.

[TheKid]

It's 11:11 EDT. Where are those pics?

[savarin]

Might I add that I am completely out of shape! Unless you count ROUND as a shape ;)



Round is a perfectly good shape as I can sincerely attest to:D
Cant wait to see the pics

[rykoala]

OK sorry for the wait guys! Here are the pics, and I managed to get the video from the camera. Its awaiting approval on google vids, but for now here's the pix:

http://rykoala.org/meridian/90p/

[TheKid]

Excellent. Glad that tube worked out for you. I had mine past 20 mph, and it rode like a dream. Too bad I fell off it while almost standing still. I wish I'd made a nice narrow seat like yours. A little foam and you'll be super comfortable on those long rides. Now comes the painful part - disassembling it so you could paint it, then waiting for the paint to cure. What's your next project, besides another Meridian for your wife?

[trikeman]

Its looking good. Now for a little paint and some do-dads and it will be finished. It certainly looks a lot stiffer with that small tube you added, and it almost looks as if it is supposed to be there.

[rykoala]

It DOES look like its supposed to be there, doesn't it. It really helped. Thanks for the help suggesting it guys. It made a world of difference.

I'm going to disassemble it this weekend and rough it up and paint it. NOT looking forward to all of that! I hate paint! I'd have it powdercoated but its really not worth it. The welds are pretty ugly.

My next project is going to be building a similar bike for my son. Then, I'll build myself another bike and give this one to my wife :)

[AtomicZombie]

Goodly done!

Brad

[Richie Rich]

IT'S RIDIN' TIME...!!

Great job....

.....Richie >>

[nzvet]

ryk - great build well done! Look forward to more photos.

Best regards

[SirJoey]

WTG, Ry! Congrats! What color's that puppy gonna be? :)

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

[rykoala]

Thanks guys I appreciate the kind words. I'll make sure I don't take closer pictures of the welds! LOL.

Color? Uh, I dunno... whatever's cheap!

[rykoala]

Here is the promised video:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5683223113938172079&hl=en

[TheKid]

Looks nice and smooth. Good job.

[rykoala]

Thanks Kid!

I moved to a new, better gallery. Hosted by Google, not my slow server on my DSL line. It here:

http://picasaweb.google.com/rykoala/MeridianBuild

There are bad pictures of it getting paint ;)