Popular Post tortron Posted March 25, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted March 25, 2023 I'm sure you are familiar with these trikes Here I am, with my brother on the back, this bike was even still in the garden at the old house up to a few years ago, with plants growing in the tray and the wheels rusted off Made in waihi, the Akrad flyer, (the Mr akrad of pye radio fame) 300,000 units were produced from 1945 to 1984, the aluminium seats being cast from army surplus I picked up a fairly crusty, but complete one a year or so ago, and it's been sitting dangerously close to my scrap pile ever since 13 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tortron Posted March 25, 2023 Author Share Posted March 25, 2023 There's not that much to strip down, but I did that and out everything not aluminium in the hot tank to strip the probably lead paint off 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tortron Posted March 25, 2023 Author Share Posted March 25, 2023 I actually have the frame sitting in a big one as well, there's 2 spots that are brazed which won't like it, but il just tickle them with the mig welder later The tray is savable, but for the time and effort to strip all thr paint, cut and weld patches I decided not to bother. The frame has a hole in one section, so that but will get repaires 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tortron Posted March 25, 2023 Author Share Posted March 25, 2023 So I made a new one 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post tortron Posted March 25, 2023 Author Popular Post Share Posted March 25, 2023 Needs tacking together, but you get the idea, will be much nicer to paint. Yes I made the back bit level so it's not a perfect reproduction. I'm going to put rivnuts in the frame so it bolts on rather that hold it on with 2 tack welds at thr back and 2 at the front of that saddle thing The rear tyres are penny farthing style with the wire that runs through them, front is one piece plastic. One of the rear wheels has been given new spokes. Every spoke is deadly loose. Not sure how much I can dismantle the front wheel assembly, the bearing holders/fork mounts are riveted together. Might see what I can do without drilling those out. Oh I have just noticed I don't have the front fender. I do, but it's "somewhere" 14 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RUNAMUCK Posted March 26, 2023 Share Posted March 26, 2023 My tricycle was an Empire. I know nothing about them. I do remember undoing the screws which held the rear mud guard support on. And it flopped around quite badly after that. Also I remember that plinking one foot in the tray, and trying to ride it like a scooter resulted in me doing a face plant and grazing my chin. 42 years ago and I still remember it. Pain the best teacher. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tortron Posted March 26, 2023 Author Share Posted March 26, 2023 Found the fender 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sheepers Posted March 26, 2023 Share Posted March 26, 2023 I had one like that, or one similar. That's all I have to report Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tortron Posted March 26, 2023 Author Share Posted March 26, 2023 It's just a kids trike, let's not get too crazy Wait, no not like that These are the headset "bearings" if my memory of 30 years ago is correct, there should be an oil soaked felt washer between them. The bottom one was nickel plated, the other two, hard to say, very rough surface so I don't think they were. However they will all now be nickel plated I will also replate the bars, and probably do the wheels 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tortron Posted April 11, 2023 Author Share Posted April 11, 2023 Started nickel plating Really I should set up a bubbler and add some surfactant to get a nicer finish. Goes like that cos the tiny bubbles cling to the surface so you get little craters. It's fine tho 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post tortron Posted April 11, 2023 Author Popular Post Share Posted April 11, 2023 With any luck ip put the final coat of primer on the frame tomorrow and put the colour on later this week 14 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post tortron Posted April 14, 2023 Author Popular Post Share Posted April 14, 2023 Candy apple red and snowflake pearl white. White didn't come out great, but il probably leave it and hide it under a lot of clearcoat. Have used about 12 mixing cups for all the basecoats, pearls, and candy's lol. If it rains right now I will be upset 14 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post tortron Posted April 14, 2023 Author Popular Post Share Posted April 14, 2023 Decent for outside under a tree tho tbh. Just got a little bit of leaf in the inside of the tray. Which I painted white as well. Obviously in use that won't stay white for 2 mins 11 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post tortron Posted April 14, 2023 Author Popular Post Share Posted April 14, 2023 I can't get my camera to focus on it. But with clear on it. It glows in the sun. Heaps of fine flake under the candy This sort of gives you an idea Clear done, it's gona rain soon, good timing 13 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post tortron Posted April 15, 2023 Author Popular Post Share Posted April 15, 2023 Recovered the seat with some leather like it would have had originally Can't get the one rear wheel apart without breaking the spokes, so will paint them white rather than plating the hub and painting the rim. Same with the front, that will be white, polish the bearing retainers up and send it 19 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tortron Posted April 17, 2023 Author Share Posted April 17, 2023 Wheels painted I panel glue urethaned the old tyres back on and ran a screw through the join. Will see how that goes Tried my hand at some gold leaf lettering, boy that shit sticks to everything. And added an Indian coin for a head badge. Anna's birthday in a couple weeks, just got to plate the bars and it's done. Supposed to have hubcaps on the rear wheels, but I only have one, will think about pewter casting another if I get time 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post tortron Posted April 17, 2023 Author Popular Post Share Posted April 17, 2023 Have some badge rivets on the way. Urethaned on for now 11 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post tortron Posted April 17, 2023 Author Popular Post Share Posted April 17, 2023 17 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GuyWithAviators Posted April 17, 2023 Share Posted April 17, 2023 39 minutes ago, tortron said: Looks lovely. Will that motor fit in the tray? Might handle better than an ATC70 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tortron Posted April 17, 2023 Author Share Posted April 17, 2023 13 minutes ago, GuyWithAviators said: Looks lovely. Will that motor fit in the tray? Might handle better than an ATC70 I have a weed eater motor ready to go on, power one wheel at low speed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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