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LibelAndSlander
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« on: September 18, 2007, 04:59:41 am » |
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So recently I decided that I would get an adult tricycle. My reasons for not having a bike: I have some pretty serious mobility problems and no one ever taught me to ride. Yes, I can't ride a bike, have your laugh. And of course I know that when I get it people will probably make fun of me because, well, tricycles are commonly associated with small children. It's not that I'm particularly interested in what other people think, it's just that I would really rather not explain my disabled state to everyone who decides to crack a joke. So I decided to look up the history, and now I have a perfectly good explanation! They were a common late victorian mode of transport! From http://www.retropedalcars.com/tricycle_history1.htm: In 1879, twenty types of tricycles and multi-wheel cycles were produced in Coventry, England, and by 1884, there were over 120 different models produced by 20 manufacturers. Tricycles were used especially by those who could not ride high wheelers, such as women who were confined in the long dresses of the day, and short or non athletic men. Hooray! Now I've decided that I MUST steam up my trike. Of course I suppose I should start out by painting it brass, and maybe aging it a little. Ideas? Pictures for inspiration? I have a friend who is quite a tinkerer so I can probably get him to do any fancy work. |
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« Last Edit: October 21, 2007, 07:26:29 am by LibelAndSlander »
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Captain C.B. Quinn, of the Airship Eudora.
PRIVATEER IN ACCORDANCE WITH DECREE BY HIS MAJESTY EMPEROR NORTON I.
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Lizbt Action
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« Reply #1 on: September 18, 2007, 05:21:33 am » |
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LibelAndSlader, I share your pain. I too never learned how to ride a bike. Seriously.
An adult tricycle sounds fantastic. I say go for it.
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LibelAndSlander
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« Reply #2 on: September 18, 2007, 05:27:55 am » |
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LibelAndSlader, I share your pain. I too never learned how to ride a bike. Seriously.
An adult tricycle sounds fantastic. I say go for it.
You are, I believe, the 3rd person other than myself who I have spoken to who cannot ride a bike. So we are not alone! |
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Lizbt Action
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« Reply #3 on: September 18, 2007, 05:30:22 am » |
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We should meet up and all not ride bikes together!
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Daemon
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« Reply #4 on: September 18, 2007, 06:44:20 am » |
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I'd suggest watching Popeye the Movie (Robin Williams). The taxman in there puts around on on some strange motorized trike. Might be some good inspiration. You can get a glimpse of it at the end of this clip.
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Lurker
Gunner
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« Reply #5 on: September 18, 2007, 07:14:51 am » |
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Don't feel like you need an excuse to own a tricycle. I've often thought about buying this little gem: Schwinn's 2007 Town & CountryWhile I may not have any mobility issue, I do like the extra load carrying ability of these bikes. Or maybe these might work for you (not me though, I like the Schwinn): Click on Antique Replicas |
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« Last Edit: September 18, 2007, 07:21:58 am by Lurker »
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Prof. Brockworth
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« Reply #6 on: September 18, 2007, 09:26:26 am » |
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I used to work in a bike shop. The owner raced sleek racing trikes. There's nothing Forrest Gump about trikes, not at all! They've got supreb luggage capacity...
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Recovering from pennyfarthing bruises...
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LibelAndSlander
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« Reply #7 on: September 18, 2007, 09:35:02 am » |
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Ooooohhh, the traditional trike on there is absolutely gorgeous, and in my price range! Excellent! Thank you! I just need know how much the shipping is. |
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Outa_Spaceman
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« Reply #8 on: September 18, 2007, 11:07:27 am » |
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I used to work in a bike shop. The owner raced sleek racing trikes. There's nothing Forrest Gump about trikes, not at all! They've got supreb luggage capacity...
I once had a ride on a trike at the CTC rally in York... It threw me in a ditch...  |
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Stefan Freestate
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« Reply #9 on: September 18, 2007, 12:11:36 pm » |
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We should meet up and all not ride bikes together!
Nay, you should all learn to ride bikes! Forthwith!  Disassemble the bike - er, trike - completely. You may need help from your local bike shop to remove some parts such as the bottom bracket and headset - specialist tools, eh. Strip the frame using gel stripper or sandblasting (a body shop will do this for $20 or so). Prime it. Paint it! Spraycan car enamels do a fine job, but do pick a warm sunny day for it. Breather-mask and cheap tarpaulin are the only specialist tools you'll need. I've refinished upwards of a dozen, ahem, bikes. Happy to answer any specific questions. |
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Relinquo vos liberos.
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LanaPowers
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« Reply #10 on: September 18, 2007, 09:36:10 pm » |
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LibelAndSlader, I share your pain. I too never learned how to ride a bike. Seriously.
An adult tricycle sounds fantastic. I say go for it.
You are, I believe, the 3rd person other than myself who I have spoken to who cannot ride a bike. So we are not alone! By no means are you alone. I never learned how to ride a bike, and would like to (The city of New York is no place for a horseless carriage, there are far too many here already), but the contraption seems rather precarious... |
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Outa_Spaceman
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« Reply #11 on: September 18, 2007, 09:52:39 pm » |
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This may fit the bill...  |
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Daemon
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« Reply #12 on: September 18, 2007, 11:44:34 pm » |
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Now THAT is awesome!
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Vincent Théière
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« Reply #13 on: September 18, 2007, 11:57:40 pm » |
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There were some great bikes around in early 20thC that were kind of like penny farthings, but then had 4wheels on a frame around the outside. Not a trike, but very cool and would cover stability issues.
I'd love to see a penny fakething built with two back wheels, I think that could be the ultimate tricycle!
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Jake of All Trades
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« Reply #14 on: September 18, 2007, 11:59:26 pm » |
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Now THAT is awesome!
Seconded! Might I request further information? I know I've seen it before, but I can't find it now... As to the trikes, they are quite cool and certainly not limited to the incapable. Besides the fun uses, my brother tells me that they are used to transport tools and parts inside the massive automobile factory in which he works. The Schwinns, I believe. Anyhow, he recently trash-picked one (not from the factory) that he's working on fixing up. Hmmm, I might add that this is the very same brother with whom I had plans of constructing a steam-powered bicycle. Something tells me that project may have just grown a third wheel... |
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"...it's a form of fiction, and as such, while there may be times when it's considered a worthy vehicle for pointing out some of society and individual flaws - I still want a side that will let there be lighthearted adventures in the clouds, on mars, or under the sea."
--Tinkergirl
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Vienna Fahrmann
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« Reply #15 on: September 19, 2007, 12:18:27 am » |
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Dear Outa_Spaceman,
I second Jakes request for more information. I might (slim chance) persuade my husband that I need to sit in the sidecar while he pedals. (He's an enthusiastic bicylist.)
Vienna
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Prof. Brockworth
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« Reply #16 on: September 19, 2007, 12:58:32 am » |
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This may fit the bill... Where does he get those wonderful toys? |
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Outa_Spaceman
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« Reply #17 on: September 19, 2007, 08:04:11 am » |
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Now THAT is awesome!
Seconded! Might I request further information? I know I've seen it before, but I can't find it now... As to the trikes, they are quite cool and certainly not limited to the incapable. Besides the fun uses, my brother tells me that they are used to transport tools and parts inside the massive automobile factory in which he works. The Schwinns, I believe. Anyhow, he recently trash-picked one (not from the factory) that he's working on fixing up. Hmmm, I might add that this is the very same brother with whom I had plans of constructing a steam-powered bicycle. Something tells me that project may have just grown a third wheel... The pic came from the Motorized Bicycle Forum... http://www.motoredbikes.com/showthread.php?t=5866&highlight=3023_PDR_0068_2.jpgGot to love the use of old fire extinguishers... |
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Bobby_Brazil
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« Reply #18 on: September 21, 2007, 04:10:44 am » |
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We should meet up and all not ride bikes together!
too funny |
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Listen for the unsaid, while believing the unseen
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Honky-Tonk Dragon
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« Reply #19 on: September 21, 2007, 08:51:56 am » |
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LibelAndSlander-- Get a trike! Trikes are flash. That Pennyfarthing (is it a "pennyfarthings" if there are two back wheels?) is supa-dupa flash. Do it. And then take pictures. |
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"I replied that only <i>lost</i> causes were of any interest to a gentleman..."
Jorge Luis Borges "The Shape of the Sword"
Official Engraver of the Imperial Stamps of the Duchy of McIntyre
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Maximum Humphries
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« Reply #20 on: September 21, 2007, 09:19:40 am » |
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you guys really should learn to cycle, it is one of the greatest pleasures in life...
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"Ever forward, my darling wind..."
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Honky-Tonk Dragon
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« Reply #22 on: September 22, 2007, 12:00:48 am » |
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Indeed they should, but some folk hve reasons (medical, for example) for being unsuited to bicycles. And the world is big enough for pedal-powered vehicles of all descriptions!
Bravo, Stefan! The world (or my world, at least) always needs more vehicles comprised of less than four wheels, be they powered by steam, petrol, pedals, or hamsters.  |
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Outa_Spaceman
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« Reply #23 on: September 22, 2007, 12:07:30 am » |
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you guys really should learn to cycle, it is one of the greatest pleasures in life...
 I do hope that isn't a fixie... |
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Jake of All Trades
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« Reply #24 on: September 22, 2007, 12:10:52 am » |
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Fantastical! "To the emergepede, post haste!" "On the double!" "Quite so! Pip pip!" "Right foot up! On three!" I can just hear the rambling, poorly-tuned piano music that plays as those chaps swing into action. |
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