Bicycle question, three-wheelers??

[theCryptofishist]

Preregister it, as in:

• before arriving on the playa, or
• before you use it once you arrive on the playa, or
• both?

Both. You alert the dmv that you're bringing it and send a pdf of the paperwork that comes with the placard, and then you bring it over to Jarjar's Joint for the actual bumper sticker/driving permit to be put on.

[Canoe]

Preregister it, as in:

• before arriving on the playa, or
• before you use it once you arrive on the playa, or
• both?

Both. You alert the dmv that you're bringing it and send a pdf of the paperwork that comes with the placard, and then you bring it over to Jarjar's Joint for the actual bumper sticker/driving permit to be put on.

And without that, I believe it must meet the Nevada rules for power assisted bicycles...

[ranger magnum]

I have a three wheeler i built, and i wouldnt go back. It seats two, and has two sets of pedals, so both passenger and driver can pedal. There is ample storage, and i can haul 6 bags of ice easily

[Marscrumbs]

They are bulky to transport but having a trike on the playa was the best thing I have ever done!! They also make great small art platforms. Carry loads of stuff. Again you can sit on them at zero mph. If you are ambitious add an emotor and you got wrap drive capability besides impulse power.

[BarShirley]

Does anyone know of a place in San Fran that does tricycle rentals?
Not getting much luck through google only bikes.

[theCryptofishist]

the son of one of my friends worked in a bike shop in the city and the shop would not take people's bikes post-burn to make them run again because the playa is so hard on them, that the labor cost would be comparable to buying a new one. So, if I had a trike I wouldn't rent it to go to the playa, even though, with the cost of trikes, it would be more competitive. But I'd have to charge a heck of a lot to make the labor break even, much less make me a profit.

And "san fran" is an abomination of a nickname.

[Canoe]

[C187]

Thanks! Tell me, does a trike fit on a standard bike rack?

I think it would totally depend on the specific trike and specific bike rack! However, with enough bungee cords you can secure "almost" anything.

Notice the upside down trike on the standard issue over spare tire bike rack. The spiders web of rope, bungees, and chains not so visible.

Yes a trike is worth it.
My main issues with a trike comes down to a lack of speed. I'm just not used to riding a bike that slow. Especially considering it was a fixie. . . just makes my mind explode thinking about it. Both years I rode a trike I had a moment with bad playa acting like the black knight before I figured out how to get past it on the trike. Because I can't do what I would do on a bike. Also my first ride on it each year I had that whole counter-inventive thing on how to turn. (You can't lean into a turn, after all. lol) Plus the whole hitting ones knees on the handle bars thing isn't fun.

If you do get a trike, I'd suggest it have a few gears, wide tires above 20" and that the frame be long enough for you.

[Oldguy]

I use a 3 bike bumper carrier that straps to 6 metal edges. A trike is lighter than 3 2-wheelers, so yeah, it can be done.

[unjonharley]

Just scored a ReTrike for cheap.. Now I will have to sell the ReBike.. Most people don't know what they are..

[trilobyte]

I asked uncle Google and he showed me a pic of a retrike. Man that looks like a great ride - congrats!

[TinkerMom]

Well, better late then never. I promised pictures way back when. But these freak storms had me
busy with other things. Next up, are the lights and brakes.
Before

After

[unjonharley]

Well, better late then never. I promised pictures way back when. But these freak storms had me
busy with other things. Next up, are the lights and brakes.
Before

After

NOw, That's where the peddles should on all trikes..

The drive shaft on the ReTrike only go's half way on each side.. This allows the wheels to be chamfered.. Like a racing wheel chairs wheels.. For me, the inside axel stub allows for a power-belt pulley.. Which I have from an off road electric scooter with a 350w motor..

[Canoe]

Well, better late then never. I promised pictures way back when. But these freak storms had me busy with other things. Next up, are the lights and brakes.
Before

After

Didn't like the suspension fork?

[gyre]

Unjon, you're thinking about cambering wheels.

[unjonharley]

Unjon, you're thinking about cambering wheels.

Sorry bout that.. That's how my hearing works..

[gyre]

Close enough.
I knew what you meant.

Amazing what camber can do, even working on rear drive with toe in, for hard throttle.
I had a car with pretty radical front camber.
Felt nervous, but gripped like crazy in any turn, especially in the rain.

Will camber make any difference on the playa though?

[theCryptofishist]

The answer is no, but definition a three-wheeler is not a bicycle.

[unjonharley]

The answer is no, but definition a three-wheeler is not a bicycle.

Correct, You say tricycle. I say bicycle/three wheeler..

Lets call the whole thing off..

[Elliot]

Didn't like the suspension fork?

Those "suspension" forks are not that at all. They are merely visual imitations of springer forks. A real springer fork is a parallelogram, which allows the wheel to move upward on impact with a bump or pothole. On these bicycle imitations the wheel can only move fore-and-aft, which makes no sense at all. All they accomplish is to give the fork a bit of that classic old springer look, with fewer parts. And they bend out of shape much easier than a normal bicycle fork. Good call, replacing it.

[TinkerMom]

Didn't like the suspension fork?

Those "suspension" forks are not that at all. They are merely visual imitations of springer forks. A real springer fork is a parallelogram, which allows the wheel to move upward on impact with a bump or pothole. On these bicycle imitations the wheel can only move fore-and-aft, which makes no sense at all. All they accomplish is to give the fork a bit of that classic old springer look, with fewer parts. And they bend out of shape much easier than a normal bicycle fork. Good call, replacing it.

Thank you Elliot!
I didn't like the way they rode. So I traded them for a cruiser frame. I tore that apart and rebuilt it, too.
A real pretty blue. Both bikes have metal flaking on them so they shine real nice.
I have matching EL wire to light them up, too.
I am bringing the cruiser for Big Dane to ride.

[Elorrum]

love the trike tinker ! did you solve the transmission problem?
edit: looked at the photos.... looks like you took a lot out and got it simplified. looks very neat.

[TinkerMom]

Ya, after I tore up the differential and the gears. I just went with a free wheel sprocket.
I will have a front brake just in case. I doubt I will go fast enough to use it. The
front sprocket is changeable to what ever gear I am comfortable with.
When the snow melts, I will take it out and about to test it.

[FIGJAM]

Let's go, let's go, LET'S GO!!!!!!!!!! (Bump)

[Oldguy]

Brilliant!

Just add ice to water for additional cooling.

[unjonharley]

Let's go, let's go, LET'S GO!!!!!!!!!! (Bump)

The only way to fly.. COOL RIDE!!!

[TinkerMom]

Hey Figjam!! Lets make that a tandem trike, and I will ride with you!

[FIGJAM]

Scroll down to the bottom of the page.

We can pick that up for pocket change!


http://palmerind.com/manual/joyrider.php

[TinkerMom]

THAT, would be a hoot and a holler!!

[FIGJAM]

I got lucky and found mine on craigs list for $325!