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.

 

[Fowler]

I was cleaning up the rear and found some identifying marks
have not looked them up yet



Cleaned up and painted

 

[Fowler]

I started putting the steering back together but the forks are stiff. Then I remembered, I forgot a bearing spacer and was going to fix it later. Well its later so that is next.
I have to wait until I can get both my son and my Ol'Lady to help me.
I will jack the trike up to a certain point then my son and I will lift the forks off while my Ol'Lady pulls the bolt out and puts it back in with all the spacers and bearings.
My Ol'Lady is not happy about doing this!

 

[Fowler]

I have the front end ready to pull, just waiting on the Ol'Lady.


While I am waiting I made a cross brace at the very front
I still need to trim the front of the frame
I was going to weld it on but it makes it easier without it when pulling the engine.
So I bolted it on with 4 3/8" grade 8 bolts
I put angle steel on the sides as you can see and also on the bottom (you can't see it in the picture)
This pipe was longer and I was putting it under the frame as a jack point. So I made this to make it easier.

 

[TomyJ]

I was cleaning up the rear and found some identifying marks
have not looked them up yet
View attachment 133875View attachment 133876
View attachment 133877

Cleaned up and painted
View attachment 133878
View attachment 133879

While you are at the rear end, make damn sure you check the fluid level, and grease the bearings??? just saying...

 

[Fowler]

While you are at the rear end, make damn sure you check the fluid level, and grease the bearings??? just saying...

Thanks,
I plan to pull it apart anyway.

Still have not gotten the front done yet. Still waiting on the Ol'Lady. She says she will help when we get back from the beach. If not I will get my neighbor to help.