My 'bent...

[Brian]

Well, I got together the two donor frames for my "No-Weld Recumbent". A his
'n hers Raleigh Portage...but one of the frames doesn't have a fork and
apparently I will need another fork to mount the pedal boom. Would using
the forks off an old Gitane Apache do just as well, or would that be
sacrilege?

 

[harv]

"Brian" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Well, I got together the two donor frames for my "No-Weld Recumbent". A
> his
> 'n hers Raleigh Portage...but one of the frames doesn't have a fork and
> apparently I will need another fork to mount the pedal boom. Would using
> the forks off an old Gitane Apache do just as well, or would that be
> sacrilege?
>
>
You will probably need to change out the wheels and do some brkae stud
welding. The Portage was equipped with etrto 584 (650b). I gave mine to my
son to use as a beater/commuter. I had the wheels replaced a few years ago,
but haven't been able to get tires that will stay on the rims...including a
newish set of Hutchinsons I got from a bike shop in England.

 

[Brian]

> You will probably need to change out the wheels and do some brkae stud
> welding. The Portage was equipped with etrto 584 (650b). I gave mine to my
> son to use as a beater/commuter. I had the wheels replaced a few years
ago,
> but haven't been able to get tires that will stay on the rims...including
a
> newish set of Hutchinsons I got from a bike shop in England.
>
> Yep, for sure I am using different wheels. (they're different sizes, so
making up a new set of wheels is no big). I will prolly use the existing
brake studs on the seatstays for the rear wheel, but I either have to have
the studs on the front end moved or go with a smaller fork for the smaller
front wheel.

Do I want two sets of brakes? One on each wheel? Both on the rear wheel?
I will probably purchase the "no-weld recumbent" CD sometime soon just to
fill in the spots I'm not sure about...in the meantime, I know y'all will be
here for me.

 

[harv]

"Brian" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>> You will probably need to change out the wheels and do some brkae stud
>> welding. The Portage was equipped with etrto 584 (650b). I gave mine to
>> my
>> son to use as a beater/commuter. I had the wheels replaced a few years
> ago,
>> but haven't been able to get tires that will stay on the rims...including
> a
>> newish set of Hutchinsons I got from a bike shop in England.
>>
>> Yep, for sure I am using different wheels. (they're different sizes, so
> making up a new set of wheels is no big). I will prolly use the existing
> brake studs on the seatstays for the rear wheel, but I either have to have
> the studs on the front end moved or go with a smaller fork for the smaller
> front wheel.
>
> Do I want two sets of brakes? One on each wheel? Both on the rear wheel?
> I will probably purchase the "no-weld recumbent" CD sometime soon just to
> fill in the spots I'm not sure about...in the meantime, I know y'all will
> be
> here for me.
>
>
The point I tried to make about the rear brakes is that the studs are set
for a 584mm wheel, not a 559. I don' think you'll be able to lower the
blocks of your canti's enough to hit the rim. You might be able to mount a
caliper brake on the seat stay bridge and use a 700c road wheel.

 

[Brian]

Thanks for the clarification...I actually have a set of long-reach Dia-Compe
centerpull calipers (came with the male frame portage as its canti posts
BROKE OFF - sheesh - )and I also have some long armature V-brakes that I
might be able to make do...can't use 'em both in the same place, of
course...and I've never tried to fit either type to a short front fork.
We'll see...I may end up with the V-brakes on the rear and the centerpull on
the front, if it will reach...

BTW, any suggestions concerning steering? keep it simple, please...

 

[harv]

"Brian" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Thanks for the clarification...I actually have a set of long-reach
> Dia-Compe
> centerpull calipers (came with the male frame portage as its canti posts
> BROKE OFF - sheesh - )and I also have some long armature V-brakes that I
> might be able to make do...can't use 'em both in the same place, of
> course...and I've never tried to fit either type to a short front fork.
> We'll see...I may end up with the V-brakes on the rear and the centerpull
> on
> the front, if it will reach...
>
> BTW, any suggestions concerning steering? keep it simple, please...
>
>

Sorry, no advice. I'm not a builder, just a former owner of a Portage.

www.bentrideronline.com and www.recumbents.com both have homebuilder fora
where additional help may be available.