New 1954 Truck

[ndian22]

Rick you're becoming quite accomplished on the English wheel!  Rick C.

[Ricks]

I was building the engine and realized I didn't have a connecting rod to crank screw.  The easy thing would be to call Wayne and order one, but I was impatient.  I looked through my hardware and noticed a 3/8" carriage bolt had the correct diameter head.  I put it in a 3/8" collet on my lathe, spun the shaft down to .25" and faced the head flat.  I then put it in the mill and slotted for the screwdriver.  The only pain in the ass was threading it, as I couldn't figure out a good way to hold it.  What I wound up doing is just using a large screwdriver and threading it into the die.  It wasn't elegant but it worked.

[pd]

Any port in a storm .

Nice going , Rick .
Work with what you have . If you have the tools ... LOL

Pete .

[kartjockey]

Restless energy at work!  LoL

[pd]

Restless energy at work!  LoL

Tom ,

He's just getting anxious for Portland .

Pete .

[Ricks]

I test fit the engine, clutch and drive.  I used a link belt to determine the length needed for the drive belt.  I was hoping it would be a BX25 belt, as I have a few of them.  It was not to be, as I determined it to be a BX26.  So close yet so far!  LOL

Here's some pictures.  If anyone sees something amiss, please speak up!

[pd]

Lookin' pretty nice , Rick .

I see you use the horseshoe 'method' when mounting springs . Ends up to catch and hold good luck .

Pete .

[kartjockey]

Everything looks very cleanly done.  Obviously there are bell cranks in each corner but did you make each arm equal lengths or is there some mechanical advantage in them.

[Ricks]

Everything looks very cleanly done.  Obviously there are bell cranks in each corner but did you make each arm equal lengths or is there some mechanical advantage in them.

The brake arms are about 2" different in length.   I based the system on the latest style that Simplex used. They seem to work really well, much better than the straight bar style I used on my previous truck.

[pd]

Everything looks very cleanly done.  Obviously there are bell cranks in each corner but did you make each arm equal lengths or is there some mechanical advantage in them.

The brake arms are about 2" different in length.   I based the system on the latest style that Simplex used. They seem to work really well, much better than the straight bar style I used on my previous truck.

Why do you think that is , Rick ?

Pete .

[Ricks]

Everything looks very cleanly done.  Obviously there are bell cranks in each corner but did you make each arm equal lengths or is there some mechanical advantage in them.

The brake arms are about 2" different in length.   I based the system on the latest style that Simplex used. They seem to work really well, much better than the straight bar style I used on my previous truck.

Why do you think that is , Rick ?

Pete .

I haven't the slightest idea.  I don't remember how long the brake backing plate arms were on the other truck.  Simplex used several lengths over the years, and longer would give better leverage.  Maybe that's the difference.

[pd]

More leverage makes sense .

I first thought maybe the amount of joint friction , but , there really wouldn't be much difference there .

Pete .

[Ricks]

I finally got back to work on the truck.  I don't have a sheet metal brake, and since I needed a 4' model, a cheap Harbor Freight one isn't big enough. I would have loved to buy a nice finger brake, but they are expensive and I don't really have the room for something I would use infrequently.  I started searching the internet and decided to build one.  I found a guy locally that has a lot of recycled steel so I picked up most of the metal cheap.  Here she is and the box all bent and mocked for welding.

[pd]

Looks like you did a nice job on both the brake and the box , Rick .

[kartjockey]

Wow.  Looks good. Did you put the X bend in it with your new brake.?   I need to follow your lead and get back to work on my rides.