Countdown to launch -- with pics

[Kiwi_Roy]

Can't wait to see it at JD, I predict the wind noise will be very low, I had that faring on my EV it was very quiet.

Superb job.

[lucian]

Damn, I'm on the wrong side of the country again. I'd love to see that rig in the flesh, awesome job on it RK.

[Howard R]

Being new to this group I had not seen this trick before today.......mind is blown away.

What a fantastic job.

I went to roadkyll's posts looking for photos of the build and found over 500 pages....lol

Is there a post of the build up of this machine?

To answer your question, this has been a multi-year project, with many posts along the way.  Here is a pretty random sampling, in no particular order, found by entering "trike project" in the search box in the upper right corner.  And this is probably not even close to everything.

http://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=59331.0

http://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=61318.0

http://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=62224.0

http://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=73820.0

http://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=77263.0

Howard

PS, this site could REALLY use some kind of an index, or maybe I'm just not going about it the right way.

[rodekyll]

Sorry about not answering that, papa.  There have been many threads about the build itself as well as many discussions about principles, theory, and a lot of problemsolving.  As Howard points out, it was a three + year project, with maybe a year of talking about it before actually taking it on.  I would not be surprised if there were over 50 total discussion about some aspect of it.  But there is no single topic heading for it.

Roy -- That fairing has been on the 2-wheel version of that rig since about 2008.  For a light duty, handlebar mounted fairing/windscreen it's average.  I drilled this one for the aux light wiring, added a layer of mat and stiffened it, before painting it to match the rest of the rig.  These light handlebar fairings are kind of floppy things and I hated the silly metal rods used to fix this one in place.  So I changed the way it mounts, too.  It now flutters less at speed and is quickly adjustable for height and rake.

And folks further east -- I've got some weeks and a little money, and this is my countdown to launching my new life as a homeless person.  So it seems to be my manifest destiny to roam the steppes and wastelands of America, having adventures, doing good deeds, and drinking local microbrews.  I could be seen anywhere within 300 miles of the last gas stop.  So keep an eye open.  I might camp out in a time zone near you.  :)

[rodekyll]

I bought a jack for the trip.  All this talk about flat tires . . .  Since I want my gear to work for other people's emergencies (I don't plan any) I thought a jack suitable for assisting a car or recovery might be fun.  So I went with an inflatable air bag jack.  This deflates to the size of an inner tube and inflates enough to tip a cow.  It weights about a pound and is a rubberized vinyl like an inflatable boat, only more supple.  It will fit anywhere you can stow a vintage Mae West and lifts two tons.  The intended inflator is the exhaust pipe.  I have an on-board air compressor, so I might not have to pump it full of NOx and HC's to make it work. 

With this I should be able to raise any or all of the trike, get your bike back on its wheels, or extract a Volvo from a ditch.  In the off chance I come across a sunken cruse ship weighing less than a couple tons, I could stuff it underneath and raise it.  Should be fun if needed and not in the way the rest of the time.

[oldbike54]

 Hmm , so with some careful planning , a bit of patience , and a good dark night , we could jack up the Batfish from her dry dock and put her back in the river . Anyone here know how to drive a WW 2 vintage diesel sub ?   Dang , we could sneak up on those pesky Texans and give 'em a good shock 

 Dusty

[rodekyll]

Was that "Operation Petticoat" where the US sub fired torpedoes up the beach and got a shore gun or tank?  If you got that sub pointed the right direction it could work . .  .

[papa]

Thank you for the replies......

[Muzz]

RK, I don't seem to see actually when the trike will arrive in Seattle. Touch down is when?

[rodekyll]

It's a solstice thing, Muzz.  The trike hits the dock Monday next.  It should be at the warehouse for pickup Tuesday, 21th (that's how the okies write it -- look it up).  My flight lands 1:30P Tuesday.  My sister meets me at the airport with stuff I've stashed at her house for the trip and we caravan to Vashon Island (in Puget Sound between Seattle and Tacoma, WA) for the night.  While at my friend's house there we swap out my master cylinder, bleed the brakes, smoke pot, and eat halibut and caesar salad.  In between all that I'll try to put a couple hundred miles on the trike with the new brakes and see if I can make anything fall off.

 Assuming I can't find a reason not to, I'll depart Vashon sometime Wed and plan to be on-site late Wed night or before noon on Thurs.  Anyone headed toward the rally from the greater NW WA area that wants to escort me south is welcome to come along.  It's been said often that I need constant supervision, so you'd be doing a civic service by joining the run.

[Shorty]

Now THAT is a plan.

[rodekyll]

 . . . and as the countdown continues, a guy is setting up to inspect my property in the next few days for potential purchase.  Another baby step toward losing everything.  I can't stop this crash, but I can influence the landing.   

[rboe]

Scabard: Yup, I was half trying to be funny and half suspected you hand done did it. 

Don't poo-poo the large umbrella. That would be uber cool at low speeds around the campground or town. 

[rodekyll]

There are just too many long things that travel well in a vertical tube.  That's how we carry fishing poles and nets on the boats, guns on 4-wheelers, and of course hockey sticks on bicycles.  If I didn't have one people would wonder what's wrong with me.

[rodekyll]

It's getting real.  Just went to the city and pulled the plug on my business of 30 years.  Paid the last taxes.  Sent out the last billing.  Shut it down.  When I get on the airplane tomorrow there's little reason to return except to have a garage sale and grab the other bike.  I really have nothing else now.  Nowhere to be, no one to answer to, and owing nobody anything.

[balvenie]

I wish you nothing but the very best rodekyll. I hope you can find a "safe harbour".

[johnr]

I wish you nothing but the very best rodekyll. I hope you can find a "safe harbour".

:1:

[RinkRat II]

 Hey there RK,
  First off, Congrats on being able to do what a lot of people only dream of!!  Hope you have a grand adventure and if you're near Lake Powell AZ the beer here is always cold. 

  Nowhere to be, no one to answer to, and owing nobody anything.      Sounds alittle like Bronson  


     Paul B

[rodekyll]

Either Bronsan or what the dictionary says about a total loser.  I guess we'll see which soon . . .

"Freedom's just another word for . . . "

Taking one last look around before locking it down.  I've launched.  I wonder when I'll be back -- and why. 

[Farmer Dan]

 :1:
That is one nice looking machine.  My hats off to you and your skills.  I think you need a rifle scabbard on there too.  Hope you have a great trip.

[Huzo]

Either Bronsan or what the dictionary says about a total loser.  I guess we'll see which soon . . .

"Freedom's just another word for . . . "

Taking one last look around before locking it down.  I've launched.  I wonder when I'll be back -- and why.

OK Rodekyll it's Huzo. Just want to add my sincere good wishes for your massive undertaking and taking control of your destiny, it must have taken massive guts to do this with the vultures that sit on the fringe waiting for you to falter so they can say where you went wrong... To sell your business and apparently committing the way you have is like performing without a net and it seems like you have a good bunch of mates ( buddies) that would help you if needed. I haven't followed this thread properly but if I'm on the money good on you. We've had the odd scrape but your forthright nature will stand you in good stead. Well done mate, if I can call you that.... Seriously. Huzo.

[Muzz]

Wishing you the very best RK as you step into the great unknown. AND, may your machine never falter.