CONTINUE I BACK 1 I TAKE ME TO THE TRIKE BUILDER
THE BLOODY
PARAPLEGIC
Continued
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Then we found one of those roads they use on TV for car and bike adds which was on a mates seven acre block of land and we were ready. Getting on the Trike seat was easier than getting into the car for me so no problem there. Balance was OK because I had the handle bars and a nice seat with a back support to help. My left foot sat safely on the running boards. Brake person on the back, start it up first touch, ease the throttle open and we were off down the paddock. Turn right, left with no problem. Open her up, lovely, nice and quick. Comfortable. Great sound as well. There was no way that I was going to get off before we ran out of petrol so we just kept on going. Round and around.
 Off
down the track with Ding Bob on the back. |
We had the odd argument when I wanted to open the throttle and Bob thought we should pull up, or when I wanted to slow down and he didn't, given that I had the Power handle and he had the brake, but otherwise it was very smooth triking. Oh, I also remember lots of "stay to the left- stay to the left, no not that bloody far".
Just a note about the brakes. When the back brake was applied with a little arm force the thing pulled up straight and quick every time. If I wasn't ready I finished up with my nose squashed against the wind shield and my bum in Bobs face.
Of course we got into trouble when we finally got back to the house because tea was starting to rot. But we knew where our priorities were, and they weren't in the kitchen. I hadn't ridden anything with handlebars for 40 years but I now knew that getting my trike license was a probability.
Next day Bob bought a complete 1970 VW automatic fastback. So we now had the running gear. I knew that the Leading Link front end that Ding Bob designed, worked beautifully but "I want a raked Harley front end" I dribbled during another drink and dream session. Apart from the front end I wanted a skinny front wheel and really big ones at the back. Basically I wanted everything that wouldn't work properly once you got out of the car park.
Bob threw his arms around Italian style and said "OK, if you aren't happy with the handling when it's finished, we can change the Harley front end for one of ours''. He builds his kit frame to fit the Harley front as well as his Leading Link. Secretly I think he was glad that I didn't want the proven design because it gave him a challenge.
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Car is holding my motor and Auto gearbox.
Next day (January 02) Bob rang and told me that I was the proud owner of a Harley front end raked 5 degrees at the tree purchased at the right price through a newspaper add. "Now that's 5 plus how many on the frame". I said to Bob.
