Can anyone else see what im seeing? Ive spent a lot of time subtley moving bits back and forth looking for the best layout under the circumstances. And despite the fact that its almost impossible to stand back and get a good view in my poky garage that is full of all sorts of other crap that doesnt help the clear line of sight, I think im starting to get there. Im starting to make some difficult decisions and feel like im getting a shape that doesnt look too bad.
With my budgetry constraints, I am having to make some compromises; for instance, I'd really like to bring the diff closer to the gearbox (it looks a bit to long in the tail in my ideal opinion) and i think i could do this if i had a totally new prop shaft made - as it is ive calculated the absolute minimum that i can have the original prop shaft shortened to.... and i can live with this
I've spent a fair amount of time playing with the hieght and rake of the front end. I was worried about it beign too laid back and stressing the seals and increasing the turning circle. The trouble is that this means making the handle bars harder to reach (though risers or new bars might cure that) and it closes the gap between the wheel and the engine/frame to what i think looks cluttered.... and so ive gone back to the laid back rake and i think im going to go with that - to heck with turning and seals - how often am i going to ride it anyway?!
The radiator has been causing me worries. I have been inspired by some builders who have placed it neatly behind the drivers seat and run the water through the frame tubes, but recently ive thought this is too much hassle and cost for me and besides it kind of compromises the lovely simple rear end, and so ive been playing with positioning at the front (where it came from), and i think its looking pretty good on centre with the engine (note the fan is off center by a couple of inches) and raised up a good 3 or 4 inches - it seems to tuck into the space near the head stock quite nicely. It wont get the full benefit of the fan from where it is, but i figure i can compensate for this by driving like the wind - fans are for whimps who leave the car running while they nip into sainsburys to buy a TV dinner and a jar of instant Birds mellow coffee.
Another important decision I think is the thought that I will now crank and extend the gear lever out to the front and nearside. This might mean that changing gear will feel a bit like stiring the soup, but it will mean that i can bring the drivers seat a fraction further forward AND take the frame backbone through in one straight run to under the seat before it forks out to the rear axle mounts.
And talking of frame backbones / spines, I had a call from Hughie today who says he likes the idea of a single plate/sheet constructed spine (not disimilar to some of the conversations with TVOR) - OMG what has got into these chaps? have they forgotten the time and money pressures im under? I have suggested to both of them that it will look great on their trikes when they build thiers ;-)
2 comments:
Definately like the look and style of the new seat. Now how about that cantilever to support it? And where does the spare seat go............? Hughie
The seat looks fab - and it feels good too. Eric was educating me tonight of its originally intended mounting design and method (though the 3"x 1/2" folded bar which acted as a spring is a tough too agricultural for this project i think
As it stands right now I think it could eventually look pretty damn cool with another one of these babies in tandem, sitting just above the diff. Though it must certainly be put-on and take-offable to ensure clean look when riding alone
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