Recumbent Trike Project: '08-'11

I have always wanted a recumbent bike, and think they are an engineering masterpiece.  Since a child, I've always been interested by them and their design.  However, they are quite spendy, so I decided to design and build my own.  I modeled and designed my trike based off of the Catrike Speed.  Below are pictures of my journey; designing, building, testing, re-building, and tweaking.  In the end, half the fun was building and customizing it solely for me!

Catrike Speed. Approx. $3,700 new.

Catrike Speed model recumbent. A piece of artwork really!

_Fleet Trike Design

The fleet trike website was amazing! Tons of information, pictures, suggestions, etc. Tim was very open and willing to share! His email address is: info@fleettrikes.com

Rev 1, with suspension and square tubing

Frame wasn't rigid enough, so I changed design directions!

The shock absorber was too compliant

Building a jig was the best thing the rev 1 bike taught me.

15degree caster and 15degree camber.

I used a hydraulic tube bender and welded to straight sections for the complicated profiles.

Assembly fit up prior to paint

The chain sections drag on the front arms, so I needed to add idlers.

Steering tie rod and rod end bearings from a go-kart supply company.

Seat is made up of shipping ties and 3/16' nylon rope.

A tight fit between chain, steering linkage, seat, and frame!

Fully adjustable handlebars. Caliper brakes, BMX front wheels, many holes for the Ackerman compensation (it took me a few attempts!)

Test ride and minor tweaking

Testing the fit, handling, and adjusting before paint!

Minor wheel scrub in the corners.

Frame after sandblasting

Frame with primer applied

Components painted, waiting to dry

Putting it together!