Get Bent

I was downstairs in our junk room the other day looking for something to complete another project when I saw the old frame in the corner. It was a bike... years ago. Well I guess it still is technically, but it has been cannibalized for other projects. (This must be an illness). It is not just any bike frame, it is a one of a kind, because I built it. It was about ten years ago and the last big project I completed prior to moving out of California. It is the second of two bikes that I have built from scratch. Both of them were recumbent bikes. Neither were perfect but both were a blast to ride.

I tried riding "regular" bikes over the years but never enjoyed the numb hands and sore crotch that developed after a few minutes of "fun". I started looking around for options and soon found the answer, the recumbent bike. The problem was that the cost of recumbent bikes was significantly more than the groin grinders. I brooded for a few days and decided why not build my own. I'd never built a bike before but gee, that's never stopped me before. Over the next week or two, I found a couple of free bikes as parts donors. I rented some oxygen and acetylene tanks and began to create. What resulted was a long wheelbase (LWB) style recumbent with under-seat steering.

The first "ride" was VERY interesting but I soon got the hang of it and it became quite natural to ride. No numb crotch no numb hands, I was sold! I began to get other ideas. One was a front wheel drive, foldable recumbent. I did build it but it was too ungainly and was quickly scrapped. The LWB recumbent was great for long straight distances but not for around the neighborhood. I just had to have a short wheelbase (SWB) recumbent. This next one was going to be built from scratch.

I called a local supplier of aircraft steel tubing and several days later I was welding together a new bike out of 4130 cro-moly tubing. This from a rough sketch on a piece of paper. It took about a month to build, but was great fun right from the start. Definitely not an off-road bike though. It did not do well with loose gravel. (Don't ask how I found that out.)

Well the bike was placed in storage after our move and slowly lost its identity to other projects as mentioned before. Recently I decided to return it to service reasoning I needed to get back into shape (yeah, right. Anything for another project even if it is a re-do).
I have been riding a little lately and remember now why I originally chose to Get Bent.

If you are interested in weird and wonderful homebuilt human powered vehicles try this site: http://www.ihpva.org/

Tears for the Teardrop

A few years ago I was surfing the cyber sea and found a site on teardrop trailers. These were popular small trailers in the late 40's and 50's. They sleep two quite cozily and have a back hatch that opens up into a kitchenette. They are regaining some of their popularity. Instantly I fell in love.
I spent the next week or two finding-out everything I could on the little teardrops. I even saw a TV program on them (Travel Channel?) I decided I just couldn't live without one. Sound familiar? Sure I could probably buy one but where is the fun in that? I decided to take the plunge. I ordered some plans and went to organize the workshop for the next assault (project).
I finally received the plans and studied them every opportunity. I realized that I was going to need more tools (metal cut-off saw, welder, angle grinder, etc). A small steel yard was discovered near my work and I was soon heading home with enough rectangular tubing to build the frame.

Over the next several days I welded the frame and purchased axle, wheels and springs. I had decided early not to use the small utility trailer wheels and went with the same wheels and tires that were on our family assault vehicle (mini-van). The plywood framing was next. It was starting to look like something!


Insulation and aluminum skin came next. To make a long story short it was completed in about 4 months. I was able to get it registered 3 days before making the 1800 mile round-trip to Oshkosh, WI for Airventure 2004. Yes I'm an airplane fanatic as well. We had numerous compliments on her during our week there.

Well things change and I have moved on to other interests and the little trailer has sat in our garage for 4 years. Only getting out for the odd campout. Two weeks ago I decided to sell her. Even though we didn't use her much, my eyes became a little misty as her new owner pulled out of our driveway promising her new adventures. I hope he treats her nice.