Home Built Recumbent Bike

A few years ago I bought this fold up bike at a local army surplus store and it was ok for a while. Later, I thought I'd turn it into a recumbent bike. I was researching them on the web and became really enthusiactic. It took me a month or so to conceive and build. In the end though, I trashed it because it was too small for my body frame anf the gearing on the bike was too low. I thought you guys might like to see it and get some inspiration. I'll be building a new one soon. Let's call this one a learning prototype.

Step 1: Added Fork and Crank

Here's a shot looking down on the fork that was bolted on to the frame and the chain guide wheels I made from skateboard wheels.

Comments

[jesusfreek]

Hey, that's pretty cool, I am planning to make a recumbent with my own design but your design will defiantly help with it, thanks. Any tips???

[macrumpton]

Looks great. I have a folding Dahon Boardwalk with 20" wheels that I have been trying to figure out how to non-destructively make into a recumbent folder.I was thinking if I did it as a Front wheel drive bike it would probably still be able to fold without any chain removal.

[sayoian99]

can you tell me how to make the seat?PWEESE?(im making one of my own,but need a seat...^-)

[PKM]

Using a folding bike as a donor for a recumbent- genius! Why did I pass by those folding bikes in the discount shop after christmas with nary a second glance? Also, it looks like the BB up front has two single tubes coming from it- I thought the chainstays (ie bottom back "fork") started right at the bottom bracket? Does it just depend on the frame you take it from? Anyway, this looks pretty slick- how does it ride? The seat-handlebar distance looks quite small so I guess it might not be the most relaxing bike to cruise on.

[thetoolman]

Yeah, each frame is different and you have to engineer it as it is. I've learned a lot from this project and will approach it differently next time.

[Weissensteinburg]

Cool! How hard are they to ride?

[thetoolman]

This one was hard at first and overall not a great ride. The next one will be bigger and longer with better gearing.

[gmjhowe]

Nice, looks like you managed it without too much heavy modifying.