"Sting"

[joe]

Nice work Ray, how did you create those nice curve bends on what appears to be 1" square tubing?

[Ray]

Sept 1, 2016 9:24:29 GMT -5 joe said:

Nice work Ray, how did you create those nice curve bends on what appears to be 1" square tubing?

Thanks, Joe. The curves were made with a harbor freight hydraulic pipe bender. I used the 1" square tubing because I had bought a sandrail frame that someone had built and I cut and reshaped it for my project. Very little remained the same. I bought some more square tubing to match but used a round tube for the roll-bar as it will be one of the few pieces that will be showing after the body is made. I took the bends slowly and carefully to prevent kinking.  

[joe]

Please check out my pictures under Built Projects, T-Rex Carbon Fiber. I went with a Harbor Freight tubing bender to bend 1.5" 1/16" wall DOM tubing,its completely manual and a lot of work to make each bend, all said Harbor Freight is great. I'm using the Honda silverwing, it looked like you're using the Gullwing,does yhat model have reverse?

[Ray]

Sept 7, 2016 9:44:38 GMT -5 joe said:

Please check out my pictures under Built Projects, T-Rex Carbon Fiber. I went with a Harbor Freight tubing bender to bend 1.5" 1/16" wall DOM tubing,its completely manual and a lot of work to make each bend, all said Harbor Freight is great. I'm using the Honda silverwing, it looked like you're using the Gullwing,does yhat model have reverse?

I used the manual bender as well: www.harborfreight.com/12-ton-hydraulic-pipe-bender-32888.html. The goldwing is the 1200 and does not have reverse. I will need to solve that problem soon. I have a few ideas but it is still liquid, sloshing around my head. I have a wench I will probably use as the motor but haven't decided if it will make contact with the ground or the back tire. 

Monday and yesterday I added a couple of braces to support the body panels (when I build them).

 

[Ray]

No pictures today, but I made great headway on my trike, Sting. I have been working on the front fenders and they are primed and ready for color. I also completed the basic electrical. It is almost ready for a test ride. I will make a trip to the department of motor vehicles soon.

[Ray]

Yesterday, I "drove" Sting a few feet just to see it move under it's own power. I cannot put it on the road until I visit the DMV. Fenders are painted, wiring is functional. I'll need to wire the instrument panel and other misc items, but the lights, brake lights and signals work.

[Ray]

[joe]

The finished product looks good from the pics, was this one of the original fenders you made last year? Tell us more about your process, you seem to have perfected it!

[Ray]

Jun 14, 2017 16:59:22 GMT -5 joe said:

The finished product looks good from the pics, was this one of the original fenders you made last year? Tell us more about your process, you seem to have perfected it!

Nothing special on the fenders. They are the same I made last year. Just finally got around to finishing them. I made a mold from a Goldwing fender by expanding it in the center. I laid the fiberglass over top with wax as a release agent. The product was rough and needed a lot of sanding and filling with Bondo. The supports are sandwiched between layers. I will soon begin making some body parts. The body parts will be formed over foam. The larger parts will be more of a challenge.

[Ray]

I had some bad news today. I took my trike to the highway patrol for an inspection. He thinks it should be called a special construction and is sending me back to the DMV. He was paricularly concerned about the VW pan i used. I did not keep the tail end with the VIN. He was not too happy about that. I am comsidering going back to the drawing board on a couple of things. Instead of using the motorcycle frame, just the powertrain and swing arm. Replace the VW pan with a homemade one. more expense and more time.

[DaveJ98092]

In most areas it is classed as Special Construction but it should be assigned the same vin number as the Goldwings frame. But each constabulary has its own ways. Some have had to make 4 or more trips, even so far as getting an appraise of value.

[skifffz1to3]

Ray, what state are you in? I have not personally checked all of lower 48, but most i have checked that a motorcycle has 3 or less wheels touching the ground. Here in NC, I'm just modifying my 2 wheeler into a three wheeler. My title remains in tact...as does the VIN. Once I've installed the OEM 2002 safety items. I'm ready to go.

[DaveJ98092]

In my conversations with our Washington State Patrol inspectors, If I use the motorcycle frame with its VIN still on it, put all of that years required safety item back on plus any upgraded items that meet DOT spec's it will pass the state level. The Insurance company may list it as a specialty built and charge you accordingly. But some states are AS$#@l= Retentive jerks.

[Ray]

Sorry it has been so long since I have posted here. I have been busy working on "Sting." I have done some bodywork on the front and side

[Ray]

Couple more pictures from today.