The Widowmaker - adventures in wood conversion recumbent building
 

https://www.instructables.com/files/d...28A.MEDIUM.jpg

This is something I've always wanted to do -- but some of the little bits were scary (such as figuring out how to mount a BB). During my stay in the bay area, I met Tom Kabat of https://www.woodenbikes.com/ and rode some of his creations. The idea isn't too scary, and not that difficult.

Pressing bearing cups into wood is just hilarious enough to make me laugh at what I was doing. I mean, I had to take a hammer and screwdriver to get the cups out of their original home (a steel BB), and here I am taking a hole saw to a 2x4 and setting the cup inside.

It's not done yet... I need

1. Make a seat (see three)
2. Add some chain and resolve my chain line (needs an idler to get the chain away from the front tire)
3. Cut excess wood away as not to make it "the widow maker"
4. Make handle bars (I've found short lengths of .5" PVC works great)

I've gone for some short test rides - and I'm totally stoked! Except tomorrow, Kinematics homework is due, so I had to take care of that (bummer).

But, I made it modular. I intend on making the front boom adjustable. So I can go for the extra aggressive seat position just by removing 1 bolt and swinging the boom forward :p

Right now, it's a single speed with coaster brake. Not ideal for a 'bent, but it makes things like shifters and brake levers/line SO much easier (and launching a bit more difficult). I'll probably add cantilever brakes and a different wheel later (perhaps 7 speeds :p).

Sorry, I'm venting. But I'm really excited. I've always wanted my own 'bent (but don't have hundreds of dollars to shell out for one :p).


For the record, I've NEVER bought a new bike. Everything is vintage, derelict or bought at auction :thumbup:

What Would Jesus Ride?

Apparently a dinosaur, according to the pic in another thread...

Anyhoo. Very neat project! Inspiring.

surfing around for diy recumbent ideas, I saw this:
https://www.makezine.com/blog/wood_bike.jpg

That's bad *** :p

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As far as my bike above goes.... I've since changed some things around... Mainly, I replaced the small wheel with the original 26" to make the steering less fidgety - I've added an idler (old d?railleur) and put a seat back on (the old seat in a vertical position). It's a lot of fun to ride - and makes all sorts of crazy sounds as chain slides against wood and such :p It's just a bit slow as it's a single speed :p

I know, it is like driving around on a siege engine. Eh, trebuchet?

Now you got me thinking treb.
 

Just thinking out loud, with paintbrush. This could be real easy to assemble from two bikes (and another piece of chain):

https://www.gassavers.org/attachment....1&d=1191763699

Where do you sit? I'm a little confused :p

Maybe this helps?

https://www.gassavers.org/attachment....1&d=1191780081

Ahh... gotcha -- you'd have to work out that chain line though -- as drawn, you've got chain going right through the rider :p

In any case, the best way to go about it -- is to just start building and see where it ends up :p Too many of projects are lost due to the thinking stage :p