88 Blazer Trike

[Fowler]

I laid the chain out and got out my TIG welder. Its not working, Very low spark.
I have been emailing the manufacture but it is a cheap welder and would cost to much to fix
SO I just ordered the TIG setup for the new Lincoln MP welder I bought not to long ago

 

[Fowler]

I got my new TIG gun in but the Ol'Lady said its a Xmas present and wont let me have it until tomorrow

 

[Fowler]

I also ordered a finger switch because my feet do not move well and a sleeve to go over it and the hose

 

[pwhoever]

I also ordered a finger switch because my feet do not move well and a sleeve to go over it and the hose
View attachment 130058

Hahaha! Of course the obligatory feet shot. At least you covered up the toenails with the Crocs...

 

[LarryA]

I think the finger switch will be good once you get used to it...done some crazy contortions with a foot pedal tig welding while laying under a vehicle.

 

[Fowler]

Got my switch in but the plug is not right. So I returned it.
I can still TIG weld by using the scratch start method. That's OK on flat clean surface but I had a hell of a time trying to weld the chain. I could use my wire welder but it takes so much cleaning after welding. The switch from Lincoln is more expensive then I can do right now. I spent a lot on Xmas and my son's birthday.
I bought him a new pistol


As I stated before my normal use TIG welder (YES WELDER) died. I worked with the manufacture and we determined it was out of warranty and would cost to much to fix. I thought that was the end of that so I purchased the TIG torch for my Lincoln. After a few days YesWelder contacted me back and offered me a refurbished TIG welder for free. I was not expecting that. I will give the chain a try again when it comes in. Still not sure I will be able to get it to weld the way I like. I am still not the best at my TIG welding yet. Need a lot more practice.

 

[Fowler]

I need to switch my efforts to my other trike for a few. I need to build a new front end for it. I hope it will only take a couple weeks
VW coilovers for Leading Link forks

 

[Fowler]

Well it took longer than I thought to refresh my other trike. I'm done what I am going to do to it for now. I may add a front brake system but I'm still researching that.

View: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dZhnFBe1ppMVJdX0AaxX6I5Tq1-GIZtW/view?usp=drive_link


So I am back to working on this trike.
First thing is I have to replace the neck bolt I stole from this trike for the other trike.
I have it on order and will start on this trike again once its here.

 

[Fowler]

I got the neck bolt in and then could not find the bearings. I have ordered the bearings.
Mounted the seats (these are just temporary seats / place holders)
Mounted some front hardware.
The Ol'Lady and I may go for a ride tomorrow or Monday.
when I start back on it I need to reinstall everything I removed.

 

[Fowler]

I hate these damn braces I wear on my legs and feet. They get caught on everything.

Yesterday i decided to get the engine back in place. I have it on rollers so I pulled the engine around and jacked up the frame.
My braces caught on something and I tripped and landed on the frame.
The frame came down and on top of me. Almost changed me from a HE to a SHE!
No serious injuries to me or the frame. I just got busied up some and cant walk to well or bend my left leg to much.
I iced my leg last night and went in the jacuzzi this morning. It does feel a little better this morning. I still had to get the Ol'Lady to help me put my shoes and socks on though.

I was planning to go back out and work on it today anyway but the Ol'Lady got mad at me when I told her.
Not sure what I will do yet.

 

[irondad01]

Maybe take time to recover for a couple days, the trike has been waiting for you ,it can wait a little longer.

 

[LarryA]

folks talk of the dangers of riding trikes and bikes, but there are a lot of cuts, bumps and burns building these contraptions too.. Bob is a testament to that.. Heal fast Bob!

 

[Fowler]

folks talk of the dangers of riding trikes and bikes, but there are a lot of cuts, bumps and burns building these contraptions too.. Bob is a testament to that.. Heal fast Bob!

Yep, Unfortunately I have had more than my share of them.
Decided to repair one of my 3D printers today instead. I still get burns from them but they are a lot smaller burns.

 

[Pegasus1300]

Bob did you start another thread on your Blazer trike build or did you get stalled on it. Very interesting idea.

 

[Fowler]

Bob did you start another thread on your Blazer trike build or did you get stalled on it. Very interesting idea.

No, this has just been a very long build. Life just gets in the way sometimes.
I did start a thread on my other Trike though
VW Coilovers for Leading Link Forks

 

[Fowler]

I got the engine and transmission remounted. They will have to come out again but not for a while.
Next I need to get the rear end cleaned up and remounted
I have the front forks and wheel on also but just dont have a pic of that.

 

[Fowler]

Did some cleanup on the rear. Still have more to do.
Then will refit it in the frame, make 3 brackets tack weld them and adjust. If all good then weld up for good.

 

[Fowler]

I'm not going to be able to install the rear end until my leg stops hurting. I had a hard time just doing what I did without bending my leg to much.
So I'm taking a break from it for a day or two.

 

[Fowler]

 

[Fowler]

Thats all the weight I have. 350lbs
I want about 100lbs more on there before I line everything up again

 

[Fowler]

Had to take some of the weights to use tonight. will put them back along with some 5 gallon buckets of water for weight, 430lbs
Since I did all that welding I need to align he rear and 4 link again.
just started working on that then had to deal with other stuff.

 

[Fowler]

Worked on this for a while today after I mowed the grass.
Got the side to side right
Got the drive line geometry right
The measurement from a fixed point on either side of the rear to the neck bot and was 5/8 inch off
Shorten the left side lower link by 5/16 and put it back on.
Next time I will adjust it all again and see what I get.

 

[Fowler]

All adjusted again.
The measurement from each side of the axle to the neck bolt is 1/8" off. The left side is 1/8" longer.
In order to correct that I would need to shorten the left link bar side by 1/16"
I'm not going to worry about it. I don't think that small amount will matter.
Next time I will check all the measurements again, adjust if needed then tack weld the upper brackets and mount the upper link bars.

 

[Fowler]

The 4 link is all welded up. I have not done any cleanup or painted it yet.
Used all grade 8 5/8" bolts. I have not put lock nuts on yet because I knew I would be taking it apart a few times and I did

 

[Fowler]

I have been busy working around the house so have not had a chance to get back to working on the Trike

I think my next steps will be to clean up the axle and paint.
Then I think I will go back to the steering again.

But today I have to work on a 2009 Chevy HHR. No electrical power at all. Even with a new battery. I have checked every fuse I can find with no luck. It's been a good car and has close to 300K so if I cant get it fixed today I'm getting rid of it. I will donate it.

Hopefully Friday I will be back to working on the trike. The next couple days I have VA appointments. VA has been trying to talk me into a few different surgeries. I don't want to do it and I keep telling them not yet.