T-Rex Carbon Fiber

[joe]

I took my T-Rex CF Replica to a local show a few weeks back and while I was away from the vehicle some one apparently made a short video describing it as the Campagna T-Rex. I stumbled across the video on youtube the other day and appreciated seeing it since I haven't found the time to post a build video yet. The link at lease gives you a walk around view, the second youtube link is a short of driving the vehicle around the block. www.youtube.com/watch?v=PeUeiweJv8A and www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTbUBKDekTo

[joe]

The master cylinder had a integrated switch for the brake lights, the problem was the contacts closed at the very end of the brake pedal stroke. If I just tapped the brakes to slow down, the lights never came on. I ended up removing the pedal box assembly and welding a metal tab that closes a micro switch contacts (SPST normally closed side) at rest. At the beginning and for the duration of the pedal stroke the switch is released, closing the connection. Glad I got it fixed, did not want to attract the wrong attention and get pulled over, drove almost 700 miles in the last 6 months.

[joe]

Took the T-Rex style trike to a show last week and noticed on the 5 mile ride home the brakes appeared to not be releasing completely. Once I got home a close inspection I revealed that when I removed and dissembled the pedal box assembly to add the new brake switch, that upon reassembly, the release adjustment on the brake pedal travel was just shy of fully opening the return port in the master cylinder. I have since readjusted it for full return travel and drove it yesterday and today for total of 30 miles with no consequences. Checked the disk rotors temperature with a laser thermometer after a normal ride for a reference temperature as an easy way to check for a future brake drag, all good. Just one of those things not to take for granted.

[joe]

Got my wife behind the wheel of my T-Rex style trike, no she didn't want to drive it, but just pose for the pic. At least she looks better than I do in it. Overall have been to lot of car shows putting the miles on it, and fortunately it's been very reliable, of course the Honda power train helps. Have had some minor delamination in some of the outer carbon fiber attachment to the extruded polystyrene, the inside structural fiberglass is fine. Have ordered some very thin .3mm black carbon fiber sheet to clad over the black painted areas of the outer body, will add pics once complete.