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Post by edvb on Jul 23, 2015 1:16:00 GMT
Thanks Roger!
I took the trike and trailer to Door county where there are small one lane twisty and hilly roads along the lake to have fun with. The white dash looks and works great and am glad I disassembled the original instrument gauge cluster to be able to put the white overlay instead of the black overlay in it. Removing the gauge needles and replacing them with the ones from the white overlay and getting them adjusted just right took some time. I now still have the original instrument panel with the original LCD displays showing actual mileage on the odometer and got the clock to work properly. It was worth the effort and really like how it lights up at night. It is great in daytime also.
I have over 2200 miles now and keeps getting better every day. I just love this thing and was the best investment to date. No problems encountered at this time but I will change the rear tire during Winter with a Metzler to match the fronts that I bought a few weeks ago. The front tires show very little wear so very happy about that.
I also went to a few car shows and many people were very interested in it. Most asked what dealer sells them until I told the I built it. That kind of blew their minds and were very complementary about it.
I can't wait to see what Kelvin has in store in the next few months we hope!
Edward
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Post by qdos on Jul 23, 2015 12:24:01 GMT
Well there's no doubting that you quite like the Eco Exo then  The new trike is coming along nicely Edward, though this is where things are really slow getting things all symmetrical (lot of GRP bodywork on this, I must do an asymmetric vehicle sometime instead!) |
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Post by roger32849 on Aug 22, 2015 20:40:42 GMT
I see summertime has taken its toll on the forum participation. I know I have been wearing out my trike one switch at a time. My Emergency kill switch broke off. Cheap Chinese junk. Somehow I suspected my switch selection would bite me in the "donkey". Well, it broke off in the run position, so will replace it at the end of the season, probably with another junk switch. I probably have less Eco-Exo time than Eddie this season, but still managed to do somewhere near 1,500 miles and I will continue to ride into or through November.
Yesterday was a fun day. I got to take out a Polaris Slingshot. It is really a car, not a motorcycle. You cannot place your finger on any single item and say it is a motorcycle.... whereas the Eco-Exo has its share of motorcycle parts from the engine to the wheels and a lot in between. That being said, the Slingshot was fun to drive. The only thing is, if I had $26,000.00 to spend on a fun vehicle, it would say Mazda on the front and after I wore it out,or nearly so, I would tear it down make an Exocet out of the parts.
Well, that's all folks. I just wanted to add my penny's worth of thoughts...
Roger
Worcester, Massachusetts
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Post by roger32849 on Aug 24, 2015 12:11:31 GMT
I am getting ready for a ride this Labor Day weekend. I depart September 3rd for the Blue Ridge Parkway and a motorcycles only camp ground. "Willville" motorcycle camp offers cabins, as well as tent sites. They will also provide breakfast if you choose. They are situated in "The Meadows of Dan" in southern Virginia just north of the North Carolina state line on the Jeb Stuart Highway. I have been there one other time and was impressed with the total experience. They don't have you sign a waiver, or give you a list of rules as long as your arm. It is sort of the honor system for behavior. A bikers nature dictates a little color or flamboyant behavior, but that's normal.
I am also going to continue on down to Atlanta Georgia to see some friends. I would like to stop by Exomotive to see how Kevins operation is going. I will call to see if it is okay to do that.
In all of this riding, it will be on my Victory trike. If I had a snazzy red (yellow) trailer I would tow the Eco-Exo-R down and ride it in the area while I was there. I am, however, going to take it for a two day outing before I leave for the Blue Ridge Parkway. In comparison, it is close by, but is a little over 100 miles up the road. I will install my tail trunk and stow my backpacking stuff inside and head up to Vermont.
Well, that's about it. The summer days are dwindling down to fall and then winter. I have enjoyed my riding time and my time with friends and family. I hope everyone takes time to have fun.
Roger
Worcester, Massachusetts
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Post by qdos on Sept 11, 2015 12:24:04 GMT
I think we'd all like a smart trailer for our trikes. I've got a small frame for one I'll be modifying at some point shortly hanging up in the workshop that I need to get on and work on though sadly it's not going to be anything like as grand as Ed's
Good to see you guys getting some fun miles under your belts even without trailers and I have to agree they are fabulous machines to be cruising through the countryside with on a summer's day.
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Post by smokinguitarplayer on Sept 12, 2015 20:54:54 GMT
Roger ..if you get near me (Reading Pa area) feel free to stop by and checkout my progress and give me some tips etc.
Fred B
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Post by roger32849 on Sept 18, 2015 10:05:15 GMT
I am back from my ride down south. It has taken me a bit to get back into the swing of things. On the way back I decided to Iron Butt it home. I rode 1210 miles in 21 hours. It was from Perry Georgia to Worcester Massachusetts via Interstates I-75, I-81, I-84 and I-90. It was a bit grueling but not overwhelmingly so. I was tired but not dead tired.
I did not stop at Exomotive this trip. My time was a bit more compressed than I would have liked so had to bypass that stop. The Motorcycle campground at the Meadows was great. The weather was wonderful with only one downpour. I was having lunch when it happened so had only to dry off the bike. The Bue Ridge Parkway is ideal for a sport bike and not so much for a touring model. My trike is great for going straight and fast but the twisty windy roads are difficult.
It would have been a good stop at your place Fred, but as I said my time was a bit compressed. As it was, I made it back Monday at 2:00 AM and started catching up on overdue projects and work here at the house. Today will be spent riding my Eco-Exo and enjoin what's left of the summer weather.
Roger
Worcester, Massachusetts
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Post by qdos on Sept 18, 2015 12:11:13 GMT
Hey Fred, for some reason I thought you were over on the West coast side but it seems you are just up the road from my cousin in Exton. Hmmmm maybe if I do visit it gives another reason for having a trip state side. Might have a chat with her as her sons are pretty good on the mechanics side of things though usually it's trucks and cars they mod.
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Post by roger32849 on Sept 22, 2015 11:27:47 GMT
I had (have) an unpleasant issue with my Victory Cross Country Tour trike. It seems with all the fanfare about the transmission being "bullet proof" mine took a hike. It is viberating, surging, and has a very distinct oscillating thrashing or whirring sound coming from it. It only does it in gears 1 through 4. It is smooth in 5 & 6. It is most likely the counter shaft or gear cluster bearings or both. It goes in the shop today. Both sets of gears are reasonably priced if that is what is needed. The Victory dealer is 17 miles from me and they have a huge facility and naturally a Victory certified mechanic. Let's see if he knows his "stuff".
It seems as though the ony reliable transportation I have now is my Eco-Exo-R. I am just now finishing the final work on my Honda GL1200 external alternator conversion. While the conversion itself is finished, I am installing the electronics. Stereo, clock, intercom and CB radio. The antenna and mount are in the mail. I have to say, the alternator conversion was not all that difficult. The extra equipment fits quite close to the OEM fan, and crash bars, but it does fit and runs quite well. Until I receive the antenna and mount, I will,need to keep the seat and tank shelter removed.
I went for a ride in the Eco-Exo-R the other day. A jacket feels nice. I might install an electric cable for my heated jacket. I like the idea of keeping warm with a light jacket rather than layering up. The Jacket is for Gerbings and it saved my bacon a few times this season. Rather than hunkering down to deal with the cold, I just turn up the controller a bit. It really does keep your body warm.
I have been thinking about redesigning the bonnet on my Eco-Exo-R. It may happen this winter, but I have a lot of other projects scheduled, and must do some thinking on it before I proceed. I like what Edward did, but to preserve his unique design, I would not copy it. I also realize there is only so much a person can do to fit a nice design into the framework. Ed did a fantastic job with his custom modification, mine will probably resemble his efforts with noticeable changes, perhaps a wider fish mouth grill and lifting the slope of the bonnet toward the front.
It is time I got a start on the day. If and when I get time, I will post any changes I make to my bonnet. Now get out there and ride..... or drive.
Roger
Worcester, Massachusetts
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Post by qdos on Sept 23, 2015 13:14:24 GMT
Sorry to hear your Victory is off on a hiking expedition of it's own Roger. Hopefully the dealer can get it to tow the line, but it's good to hear the Eco-Exo is proving reliable. I'm afraid to report the CVT on mine went for a hike a while back and I've been too busy to sort it out, had a look online and seen some Youtube videos on what's involved with maintaining them and it looks reasonably easy to do. I just need to get all these other things sorted and it's low on the priorities sadly. I do like the heated jacket idea, my initial thoughts where a bit passée but then I recalled driving my old Spartan with the roof down all year round and remember the chilled kidneys after long trips when it wasn't summer time and the heated jacket sounds like a brilliant solution! Keep an eye on the battery though you might want to get a bigger one. I think Ed's redesigned nose is superb too and I'd love to offer it to customers but I don't want to rip it off as it's Ed's handy work and think he should get all the credit for it. The new trike will have a different nose entirely and will be able to facilitate a front mounted radiator too, I'd love to show you guys but I really do need to keep it underwraps till it's all finished and besides which it evolves frequently. I'm happy to say that I'm pretty much done though on the overal design and will hopefully be putting together a 'mule' shortly to see how it is in real world day to day use. All in all it's on schedule and looking good  |
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Post by edvb on Sept 24, 2015 22:14:14 GMT
Well thanks for all the compliments on my nose job It has worked extremely well and is a snap to take off and put back on. Kelvin, I cant wait to see what you came up with on your new design. Roger, Well at least it is at the end of the season than the beginning. I am sure you will have it shipshape by early Spring. Edward |
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Post by qdos on Sept 25, 2015 12:30:30 GMT
Kelvin, I cant wait to see what you came up with on your new design. Like I say I'd love to let you guys see but then it would spoil the great reveal and besides it's constantly evolving. I'm off to Castle Combe for some circuit fun tomorrow and I've been busy with another car but even so I keep tweaking the trike here and there and lo and behold I changed a few other bits and pieces making quite a difference to the way it all looks and how it will be used. If I had a penny for the number of times I've heard myself say "God I'm good!" I'd be a reasonably wealthy man, it happened again yesterday whilst I was supposed to be changing the battery on the track car and thought I ought to just top the charge up before I fitted it. Of course that gave me a few minutes to tinker  Right I really must get this other car finished off and test driven........ |
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Post by roger32849 on Sept 25, 2015 23:15:30 GMT
Yep, Ed has the "Nose" for the job, He really "Nose" what he is doing in the design department. Now that Ed has retired he will probably do a tweak here and there on the trike (and everything else he owns that has more than one moving part). Retirement has a way of doing that to a person.
I found a low miles Victory engine. Same year same bike 5K miles on it. It is in California and will be here the 1st of October. I will keep the other engine on the shelf for spares.
I got the old 86 Goldwing basket case all put together. It runs great and has all the bells and whistles including a cassette deck in the Stereo. Wow, what will they think of next. The CB works and the intercom is loud and clear.
I will go for a ride on my Eco-Exo-R tomorrow and just enjoy the day.
Roger
Worcester, Massachusetts
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Post by edvb on Sept 26, 2015 0:47:43 GMT
Funny you mentioned that Roger I decided to make a ramp in my back yard that is on a channel to Lake Winnebago. I lucked out and had some guys with a trencher stop by and dig out the bank and fill it with 1.5" crushed gravel at a nice slope. After vacation I will make the 2x8x20' frame and get it installed on the gravel bed. I will use my new zero turn mower to pull the trailer from the garage to the ramp. Just back it in, Slide the boat off and put it by the dock. Go sailing and do the opposite back in the garage stall. It is all carbon so I leave it in the garage for UV protection. It only weighs 160LBS so easy to handle. I can paddle it all day at 2.5 knots. Any little breeze and I can paddle sail at 5-6knots. Going to Charleston, SC in eight hours so getting some rest. I sure hope I don't think of something along the way as it is a long drive Edward  IMG_0278 by evanbelkom, on Flickr  image001 by evanbelkom, on Flickr |
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Post by roger32849 on Nov 5, 2015 0:03:36 GMT
We are all sitting here waiting for Kelvin to tilt his hand enough to show us all the design that will lead the Eco-Exo into the future. We all built trikes (or are in the process). The forum activity is rather slow, not a lot of news to broadcast about the Eco-Exo. Fred is pressing ahead, Eddie and I have ridden ours for two seasons and we are all looking to you Kelvin to pave the way to the new design... either that, or we all buy an Elio.
If anybody has any questions about how safe, how strong, how reliable or how "anything" I would be more than happy to share my build experience... I can speak for Eddie as well we all will share..... Kelvin... LOL :-). I hope you realize you've been punked.... in good fun....
Roger
Worcester, Massachusetts
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