Homemade recumbent tricycle

This is the completed homemade recumbent tricycle that Alan built this winter. It is made out of mostly recycled and salvaged materials. Alan also explains some of the design issues.
Part one construction details here • Home built 3 wheel tri...

[@billypoe3703]

That toolbox idea is brilliant. The crutch is also quite wonderful also

[@jeeprubicon6650]

Larry, that is an awesome idea in the toolbox. You recycled stuff into something fantastic. I wish Americans, or people overall, would do this. We are such a materialistic buying society that wants instant gratification if you build something with your hands, it’s that much more rewarding. Great job!!!!

[@LarryKapp1]

Thanks -- though it was my friend Alan who was the creative handy crafter who made this .

[@KutWrite]

Fine job!

[@FirstLast-ml7yf]

Good choice on the Maxxis Hookworms. Fast, tough, and comfortable. I run them on my trike on the front. I added some tuffy tire liners as well for improved comfort and flat resistance.

[@nasimagdam2723]

thats pretty sweet. i've always wanted to make something like this. thanks for posting.

[@LarryKapp1]

Look at this other project - they have some good ideas - maybe no welding needed ? facebook.com/Underground-adaptive-home-of-the-shapeshifter-and-other-diy-e-trikes-102087205089695/

[@brucewmclaughlin9072]

Good to see recycled materials going into your fabulous creation. My bent from the factory weighs 28 pounds and when I take it out for a ride , any ride , it weighs close to 40+ pounds with all the stuff I take along . Just like your vice grips and tool tray , I never leave home without what I need just in case.

[@LarryKapp1]

I hear you !

[@mikeoniones667]

Looks pro made

[@patrickmckowen2999]

Tell Alan great build for a 1st round. If he wants to try another, look up "Thunderbolt Trike plans", it just might put his great skill set to the test. Cheers

[@LarryKapp1]

Thanks Patrick - I will pass that on to him !

[@ILONGGOMANUGBONSAI1977]

Good job brother so nice And amazing... I have too brother

[@FirstLast-ml7yf]

Maxxis hookworms..good choice..I run them on my recumbent trike..

[@birdwing98]

Secret toolbox is ingenious, and I like how you "attach" the vise-grips. You are clever fellow. 4:21 If the steering is "twitchy" going down the road, perhaps set the front tires just a bit more toe-in. The aluminum tube connecting front wheels may work okay during "normal operation," but is it stout enough if one wheel hits a pothole? Would be awful to lose steering.

[@LarryKapp1]

My friend is the one who is crafty and ingenious - that is why I always stop and visit him to see what new thing he has come up with. Next time I get over there I will see if he has taken any long rides and come up with any modifications and if so I will make a follow up video.

[@krisley5178]

Larger front wheels and or a smaller rear wheel would offset more weight to the rear for better traction without having to change anything on the frame. Great job!

[@LarryKapp1]

Thanks - good idea !

[@kevinhornbuckle]

Nice work. You could go to a wider rear tire.

[@LarryKapp1]

you mean for better traction ? I will pass that idea on to my friend.

[@marksadventures3889]

Good stuff, hard to hear in parts due to the wind; I find splitting the audio from the video in the edit can help that....I rerecord what I said indoors away from the wind and add that audio instead. But that's a thing that comes in time. I am impressed with your wheels fella. are you going to put up another after you've changed things?

[@LarryKapp1]

yeah you are right about the wind noise - didn't think of that when I was taking the video. I only used a Canon point and shoot camera - was thinking after I made this if I should try putting a piece of foam or fabric over the spot where the microphone is might help quite a bit. I only know just enough to get by with video editing. Good thing about my friend Alan is he is really good at narrating so I barely need to edit . I will certainly do a follow up if there are any improvements he makes on this .

[@marksadventures3889]

@@LarryKapp1 Good on you Larry, try the fluff thing, I saw a guy used fake hair from one of those wind socks - he said it was from a toy troll, gonk. Maybe use velcro so it can be removed as well. good luck fella.

[@LarryKapp1]

I think the microphone is three small holes on top of the camera - which is probably why it really catches the wind. I will do some experimenting sometime.

[@liegeradontour1901]

We use a foam thing, where the camera is put in (costs less than 2,-) for the action cams. That works perfectly against wind noise even in stormy weather.

[@FarmerFpv]

Freaking amazing! You don't happen to have the design of the front end steering available to purchase?

[@LarryKapp1]

My friend Alan who built this bike used plans to get the general design of the bike and front end too. I forget the name of the place but pretty sure they are mentioned in the other build video of this bike - watch that one too if you haven't seen it yet. Let me know if you don't see the plans he used . But Alan also made quite a few changes .

[@LarryKapp1]

yes he mentions the plans at very beginning of build video kzbin.info/www/bejne/aWHTf557bqZ8rtU

[@FarmerFpv]

@@LarryKapp1 thank you so much I didn't realize there was another video, I've been struggling for about 3 months now on my electric trike, I got everything done except for the front. I was ready to purchase and already built front end for $900 I was so desperate to finish but this is going to help me so much thank you again you don't know how much I appreciate this! Much love and respect from Northern California. Rob

[@rodolfoamadeo1765]

👍😊

[@rossbrumby1957]

Back tyre skidding easily is why most tadpole manufacturers dont build them with rear brakes. Put a fat 20 or 24 on the back for dirt traction if that's needed in your riding areas. Narrow tyres don't suit unpaved areas anyhow. I bought a Greenspeed Magnum big wheel and am kinda regretting the rear 26 as it has noticable side flex on fast corners. Though the main reason purchasing this model was I can fit a 20 or 24 ×4" fat on the back for dirt roads touring.

[@LarryKapp1]

Thanks for the suggestions .

[@angelivanvasquezquiroz6795]

Hi friend, how to solve the chain problem? How did you do it so that the chain does not hang?

[@LarryKapp1]

Did you watch the construction video ? It may give you some ideas on how to install the chain kzbin.info/www/bejne/aWHTf557bqZ8rtU

[@richardavery4407]

I'm wondering . If the rear wheel was smaller ( 24 Inch ) . Would the traction be increased for the hill climbs .

[@LarryKapp1]

yes I believe that was also suggested by some other commenters on here.

[@greenplanetearth6186]

Thank you for sharing ! Are there any other projects you are busy on ?

[@LarryKapp1]

It was my friends project . Sad news is he passed away recently . But if you look on my youtube page you will see some other projects of his that I documented by video on here. There is peddle power oil press then converted to motor, there is a peddle powered grain mill too I think, and there is a video of his solar room with insulated curtains .

[@greenplanetearth6186]

Larry Kapp Sorry to hear this. RIP to your friend.

[@LarryKapp1]

@@greenplanetearth6186 Thanks - he had a good life doing what he enjoyed the most and had a lot of freedom to pursue his creative interests as you can see here. While he wasn't a tech guy on the internet bit he enjoyed sharing his creations with others via my videos when I made them.

[@recharge4708]

what would you charge for a frame?

[@LarryKapp1]

My friend only made one for himself - he is not making them to sell.

[@FirstLast-ml7yf]

I put orings under the headset caps to increase stiction...took out my shimmy

[@LarryKapp1]

If Alan was still around with us I would show him this trike build - looks pretty cool facebook.com/Underground-adaptive-home-of-the-shapeshifter-and-other-diy-e-trikes-102087205089695/

[@iliasmarino6304]

Larry same details ??

[@LarryKapp1]

There is another video about this on my youtube that shows Alan talking about the build of it with more details.

[@Mavstang73]

I made it to the toolbox before hitting "Like". Anyone else get further?

[@LarryKapp1]

Thanks - Alan was so creative - sad to say he isn't with us any longer so at least I have these videos to remember him by .

[@Mavstang73]

@@LarryKapp1 I'm so sorry for your loss. Quite frankly the world is at a loss without Alan. Its people like him that innovate and drive the world forward.

[@topsecret1837]

Question: why do many recumbent tricycles I see have flags on top of them?

[@LarryKapp1]

The flags are for better visibility to cars and trucks . A recumbent is much lower to the ground compared to a regular bicycle with a rider . So the flag is just so vehicles on the road see you .

[@mtnmtn3551]

not use aluminium on bicycle frame, best bike is over 95% parts what not aluminium, steel is good, aluminium behind spine make feel tired fast, best rim to back is steel rim + best rack to back is steel or not aluminium, aluminium is poison what not good for energy, tadpole needs small cargo + small gear ratio range what 250% or 300% minimal for good up hill drive, not need under seat steering but longer bars for steering or higher steering, seat can be on higher position + more backward when not like upright position or just back wheel smaller size what adjust lift front higher + seat more backward position

[@LarryKapp1]

I will pass your comments on to my friend Alan who made the bike - I am sure he will appreciate the feedback. This was his first recumbent bike he made and my guess is after riding it around this summer he will make a new one that is better.

[@mtnmtn3551]

he bike looks good already, just tune can do, steel easy fix easy add, just idea, people not know how bad aluminium is what why i been tell for remind, all serious bike are made from steel or titanium, carbon bike are bad joke, people been find how easy carbon break only for try grams lighter frame parts, correct steel design is lightest strongest

[@mtnmtn3551]

one thing may need add, additional metal plate support may good weld to under center front wheels cross section, i have similar non suspension steel trike for know say is important add extra support to under bottom tube, all trike have extra metal on cross section or extra support on form shape build into, i can show own trike frame later what i was buy to fix made by other person then use by other person been strong frame thousands kilometers all conditions www.steintrikes.com/trike_images/ct/ct2.jpg bicycleone.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/YFrameRoverFrame.jpg www.heartlandbike.com/images/library/zoom/ttrike_boom-logo-rover_12_z2.jpg forum.atomiczombie.com/gallery/files/7/0/7/viking_recumbent_tandem_tadpole_trike_4.jpg www.industrialbicycles.com/resize/Shared/Images/Product/ICE-Sprint-26-Trike/ICE-sprint-cruciform1.jpg

[@LarryKapp1]

I see what you mean about the extra support at frame for the front wheels - I will let Alan know your suggestion. It will probably save him some trouble later on . Thanks