Oregon commuter

[Tango Charlie]

Originally Posted by Electictracer

...The only thing I’m worried about cost wise is the windshield. I find myself doubting my (nonexistent) abilities to mold Lexan, and will probably hire it out. I have not gotten an estimate yet because I’m afraid….

Check out Todd's Canopies. No idea on costs, but I've heard good things about him. (Check out the 'Custom Work' link. Hmmm.)

[Ken Fry]

Originally Posted by Tango Charlie

(Check out the 'Custom Work' link. Hmmm.)

I like the Guzzi -- seems reminiscent of the V8 Guzzi.

[Ken Fry]

Originally Posted by Electictracer

After much deliberation and consideration I have decided to go with a much more conventional approach, sticking my feet out.

Great! I really think that this is the way to go.

[Electictracer]

Originally Posted by sendler

What do you project your final seat height to be? Too low and you run into functional problems with visibility and there may be legal, state inspection issues as well.

It is looking like it will be around 20 inches, but I have not got that down to an exact yet. its gone up a bit to get my legs in a better position.
I plan on having 8 inches ground clearance.

Thanks for the canopy link, saves me from having to look it up again. I saw it on a previous thread but i could not remember.

I'm currently bending my square tubing. This is a very time consuming process, as I have to bend 4 pieces in an oval shape. I just spent an hour tonight and I did not even get one done....

[sendler]

I sometimes find it necessary to rise up on my pegs to place my eyes as high as 60 inches in order to see over a rise to tell which way the road goes. Although the seat height of my Honda Insight is only about 16 inches which puts my eyes at about 45 inches and I have never felt that I couldn't see well enough. It's different in a car when you know you have all those crumple zones to protect you.

[Grant-53]

Yes 20" seat height is typical passenger car height and the seat back angle is usually 25 degrees. Ground clearance of 8" is good too, even in snow! Bike riders are used to a much higher seat height 27-32 inches.
Bending square tubing is rough and you get lots of buckling. Two options: Bend round tubing for the curves and weld it to the square tubes after a radius is cut to fit. Or cut out wedges on the inside of the curve, bend the outside face, and weld the seams.

[Electictracer]

Fortunately I have a compact bender which I have modified with a special die I had made by my favorite machinist (my dad). I built him a phase converter to run this lath, so I don’t mind getting some free work out of him. Being an electrician I am comfortable with bending tubing, although the oval shapes I am bending are nothing like anything I have done before. I’m learning as I go, one of the great things about doing things like this. I probably could have had the parts made, but where is the fun in that?

Here is what I'm using if anyone is interested.

[Grant-53]

Having a plywood template helps. You get used to the spring back being more than conduit. The bender gives a constant radius while an oval is an ellipse. I make series of bends first then hammer to get the smoother shape.
Enjoy.

[visionary]

Originally Posted by Electictracer

It is looking like it will be around 20 inches, but I have not got that down to an exact yet. its gone up a bit to get my legs in a better position.
I plan on having 8 inches ground clearance.

I've just posted some of my frame dimensions in the hope that it will be useful to you.
I think the feet down decision is a good one! A build like this (ours) takes a long time and you have to concentrate on the things that you can get done. I've abandoned more than five good ideas because I know if I try them I'll never get to ride it

By the way, whats your box section dimension?

regards,
Pete

[Electictracer]

Originally Posted by visionary

By the way, whats your box section dimension?

By box section I assume you mean the cabin. It is 51 inches (130cm) long, 52 inches (132cm) tall from floor to peak. The bottom flattens out at 12 inches (305mm) wide, and angles out and up to 30 (760mm) inches wide, goes straight up 12 inches (305mm), and then rounds up 26 inches (660mm). I seem to fit very nicely inside, snug but not wistfully spacious. The total height might be a little unnecessary, but I liked the idea of being more visible, and it helps it not get too narrow at the top of my head. I’m not a small guy at 6’ tall and broad shouldered, so I’m not building this for a jockey.

Pete your project is looking good. I might steal your handle bar idea, looks like it would be a comfortable position. Forgive me if my conversions are off, I’m a child of a backward nation (when it comes to units of measure).