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Post by roger32849 on Mar 5, 2014 19:43:08 GMT
Erik:
Thanks for the tip. I did see your caps. Where did you get them? I also installed Never Seize on the threads of the tie rod and adapter. Smooth in and smooth out. I actually had to cut the old knuckles off they were so corroded.
Roger
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Post by erik on Mar 5, 2014 21:17:00 GMT
Link of caps is in my thread.
Need to rework some threads as well. Too bad I have to buy one time use tooling for it...
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Post by roger32849 on Mar 7, 2014 0:18:10 GMT
 It was a clear day today, not as warm as one would like, but sunny and bright. I thought I would post a few pictures that were taken outside in natural sunlight. |
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Post by roger32849 on Mar 7, 2014 0:19:50 GMT
 I cannot wait until the weather gets warm. I have a long ride in the planning stage for my Trike.... |
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Post by roger32849 on Mar 7, 2014 0:22:09 GMT
 I figure by the end of March, or early April the weather will predictable enough to go for a ride with a light jacket on and no gloves.... The snow is melting, but not fast enough for my taste... I can imagine those guys up in Wisconsin look at snow the way we do sand on a sunny beach... (Huh Ed??) |
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Post by roger32849 on Mar 7, 2014 0:24:19 GMT
 Here is my replacement steering wheel. It is a little larger than I originally posted. It is actually 11-3/4" diameter. I have the GPS and the iPod attached. |
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Post by roger32849 on Mar 7, 2014 0:25:46 GMT
 Here is a slightly different angle... Note the floor pan covering... Industrial Non-skid tape. |
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Post by roger32849 on Mar 7, 2014 0:30:55 GMT
  I have posted quite a few pictures in the last three days. I highlighted a few changes I made after conferring with Ed Van Belkom and Scott Turner. I try to show all the areas I can that may be in question for other builders. If ANY OTHER builder has a question on "HOW I DID ANYTHING" please let me know... I will be more than happy to answer any and all questions. Is it any wonder I like Yellow. This is a 1978 Honda Goldwing GL1000. I got it as a basket case and rebuilt it. (See the before picture). It is one of many I did over the last 5 or 6 years. It ran as good as it did when it was new. Probably the best street bike Honda ever made... |
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Post by roger32849 on Mar 11, 2014 12:48:50 GMT
link I took the trike out yesterday for a Shake Down ride. I probably drove between 30 - 40 miles. On a straight and unconjestted section of highway, I throttled it up to 75 MPH and held it there for about 30 seconds before I felt I was risking a traffic citation for speeding and decided to cruise around the 65 MPH mark. I wanted to verify the accuracy of my speedometer and the route I chose was traveled by me the previous day in my personal vehicle. The odometer readings on my Honda Ridgeline and the Burgman odometer matched exactly over the entire course. When at 75 MPH there was plenty of throttle left, however..... Considering I was on an open access highway that was subject to frost heaves and cross traffic, going faster was not a risk worth the result. I stopped at a local coffee shop "Dunkin Donuts" for a hot coffee to warm up. The outside air temp was around 27 degrees. I took the picture of my Eco-Exo -R through the window of the shop. Roger Worcester, Massachusetts
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Post by roger32849 on Mar 12, 2014 16:34:34 GMT
I took my Eco-Exo-R out for a 65+ MPH shakedown ride on the interstate highway. I posted the video on youtube and the link above gives some reality to going at a high rate of speed in such a small vehicle.
First of all, I had the front end aligned, all nuts and bolts secured and brakes, steering and safety items checked before doing the test. Satisfied by my inspection I headed out to see how it would handle at a sustained 65 MPH speed. It accelerated very quickly making the merge onto the highway uneventful. I was up to 65 MPH in a matter of a couple of seconds after leaving the ramp. The trike handled quite good, was not what I would call "Twitchy" but more agile than anything else. It was easy to keep on the road and I was able to relax while doing the speed test. All things considered, I don't believe this would be my vehicle of choice on a 3000 mile ride across country, but would be a very nice comfortable ride on a weekender or a three or four day outing. We have a lot of mountain roads that have twisty winding ribbons of asphalt. The Eco-Exo-R was made for this type of fun.
It is doubtful that I will go much on the interstate for a ride, but it is good to know it will hold its own and maintain the speeds required. My rides will be in the foothills and up in the mountains carving up the roads. At 55 MPH it is a breeze to handle and I can hear the stereo playing at that speed.
I am going to try my best to wear this thing out this summer.
Roger
Worcester, Massachusetts
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Post by erik on Mar 12, 2014 17:05:38 GMT
Nice vid Roger! I like the telephone poles in the scenery. haven't seen them for 30 years or so  great to see she is holding up fine, but you should test her at full speed to because that's what she's got to handle safe as well. |
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Post by Scott on Mar 12, 2014 20:42:37 GMT
Roger, You are hardcore !!!!  |
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Post by grandad on Mar 12, 2014 20:57:45 GMT
Roger, that looks like fun!
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Post by edvb on Mar 12, 2014 21:40:06 GMT
Roger
The video looks great! Now everyone has a very good idea what it is capable of. Thanks for taking the time to film it.
It is really helping me out on my build and I should be ready to order my shocks within the next couple weeks.
Keep up the great work on this forum.
Edward
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Post by roger32849 on Mar 12, 2014 22:59:53 GMT
When I did this test I did a pre ride in my "YT" to check the condition of the highway. We get tons of frost heaves in the winter and this winter has been no exception to that. In a previous ride it easily hit 75 MPH, but I throttled back after a few seconds. I was on a secondary road and didn't want to risk (anything actually) getting a ticket. For me, I believe 65 MPH is a manageable sustainable speed. It has satisfactory handling and doesn't strain the engine or running gear. If I were 10 feet tall and bullet proof I would have tached it up to its limit. Yesterday 65+ MPH was "MY" personal limit. Erik, I will defer that first speed record to you.. Find a deserted polder and toss a brick on the accelerator pedal and hang on....LOL.
My overall impression is that the body is tight, the steering responsive, good road feel, plenty of power even for the steep hills here in Worcester. It has very good fade free brakes, the side mounted radiator keeps the engine dead on the mid range mark. The tight handling negotiates corners exceedingly well and can power out of them with impressive controllability. I would not hesitate to drive all day long at 65 MPH if I were going on a long ride, but to tell you the truth! I am itching to take it up to the White Mountains, maybe climb Mt Washington or Mt Greylock.
Scott, between you Grandpa, and The MEV team, you have created a monster.....
Roger
Worcester, Massachusetts
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