2004 Long wheel base recumbent bike (LWB)

Project 1/10 model made of brass and paper

The second born of my conception

This HPV (Human Powered Vehicle) has a steel frame

It needs about 100 hours of work

I learned the welding process on it and the seat is in molded polyester

It allows me to have journey during sunny days

My favorite journey is Ecublens - The cathedral of Lausanne - Ecublens

My longest journey is Ecublens - Aigle - Ecublens (73 mi)

I like traveling along the Geneva lake or go to Morges

Its weak point is climbing because of its 40 lb weight and only tree speeds system

The average speed on the level is 15 Mph and my maximum speed is 28.6 Mph

On downhill it works admirably and I reach the 37.3 Mph

It has 20" wheels

Use: February 2004 to November 2006

Building notes

Some details

2006 Human powered streamliner vehicle

I decided for my summer holidays to build a new recumbent

This one is an upgrade of the ami-lwb

The frame is lighter

The tires are inflatable up to 110 psi for lowest rolling resistance

The bike receives an aerodynamically body with closed cockpit

In standby mode a lockable landing gear is activated manually

This bicycle allows me to have on flat and short distance a top speed of 80 km/h with homemade 100 teeth gear

A 100 tooth sprocket

This is the first picture of acquired parts equipment :

• Two 20" wheels

• Two  Maxxis 20" x 1,85" tires

• Two rims scotch

• Two tubes

• One cassette 13 - 32, 7 speeds

• One derailleur

• One shifter

• One speeds shifter

• One meter cable housing

I recovered the pedal unit tube and the brakes supports on an old bicycle

I precisely cut these elements with electric saw and finished it by grinder and file

Then I finished to remove these elements

I weld them on the new frame like for my LWB

Accessories :

• One rear light

• One halogen front light

• One alternator (dynamo) 6 Volts

• Two pairs V-brakes

• Two levers

• Two cables

Tool for pulling out the pedal levers and  tool for the sealed cartridge unit mounting

I finalized the drawings of the bicycle and cut the steel parts

Crank 53 - 39 teeth

Two M6 universal joints for steering mechanism

I have big problems to weld thin metal (millimeter and less)

These were my welding tools

Left to right:

• A grinder

• A metal brush

• A peaked hammer

• Clamps

• A welding unit

• Electrodes

• A welding mask

To achieve a 90° assembly I used wood board

For other alignment I used one level