A HOMEBUILT QUADRACYCLE

Editor's note: The following ad appeared in the "for sale" listings in the Wolver-Bents April newsletter. It sounded intriguing, so I e-mailed builder Michael Fortuna, who was nice enough to write some details and send some photos.

For Sale: Unique homebuilt aluminum lightweight quad. Designed/built by auto engineer. $300. Mike at 734/483-4323 or fortunare@comcast.net

Here's what Mike wrote:

I am selling the quad because we're moving to Arizona and I have a two-wheel recumbent that's easier to move.

This is not an off-road type vehicle. It is very lightweight due to aluminum construction and some clever design features.

I especially like the brake, which uses a v-belt over a pulley and a lever to tighten the belt. I wouldn't trust it on a really steep hill with a heavy rider, but it works fine in most other places.

There's two front sprockets, but no derailleur yet. I was going to replace the double chainrings with triple chainrings and add the derailleur.

The seat is functional, but doesn't adjust for length yet, so it's fine for someone 5-foot-6 to 5-foot-9, but could easily be made adjustable.

I have a 20-inch electric motor hub wheel I was going to install on one rear wheel for help on hills and replace the matching wheel with another 20-incher. Currently the quad uses 16-inch wheels on both axles.

The teak wood steering wheel lifts up for access to the seat and matches the teak brake handle.

Since these photos were taken, I've painted the few non-aluminum parts silver to match and it looks much better.

See a photo of Mike's Quadracycle on page 4

("Rally" continued from Page 1)

PLACES TO STAY ON YOUR WAY TO MICH. HPV RALLY
Calling in advance to make a reservation is suggested

MOTELS

Clarkston -- Clarkston Motor Inn, 6853 Dixie Hwy. (US-10), 248-625-1522, 12 rooms. About 2 miles northeast of Waterford Hills track.

Hartland -- Best Western of Hartland, 10087 M-59 at US-23, 810-632-7177, 61 rooms. About 18 miles west of Waterford Hills track.

Waterford -- Best Western ConCorde Inn of Waterford, 7076 Highland Road (M-59), 248-666-8555, 111 rooms. About 3 miles southwest of Waterford Hills track.

Waterford -- Highlander Motel, 2201 Dixie Hwy. at Telegraph Road, 248-338-4061, 50 rooms. About 6 miles southeast of Waterford Hills track.

Whitmore Lake -- Best Western of Whitmore Lake, 9897 Main St. (off US-23, exit 53), 734-449-2058, 61 rooms. Southwest of Waterford Hills, about 33 miles away.

CAMPING

Free camping is available overnight Friday and Saturday at the Waterford Hills Sportsman Club, site of the HPV rally, starting at 6 p.m. Friday. Restrooms, showers available and possibly electrical hookups.

STATE CAMPGROUNDS ( www.michigandnr.com/ )

Highland Recreation Area, 5200 E. Highland Road (M-59), White Lake, 248-889-3750. Two miles east of Highland,

Holly Recreation Area, 8100 Grange Hall Road, Holly, 248-634-8811. Five miles east of Holly.

Ortonville Recreation Area, 5779 Hadley Road, Ortonville, 810-797-4439. Four miles northeast of Ortonville.

Pontiac Lake Recreation Area, 7800 Gale Road, 248-666-1020. About 4 miles southwest of Waterford Hills track.

PRIVATE CAMPGROUNDS (www.michcampgrounds.com)

Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park of Holly, 7072 E. Grange Hall Road, 248-634-8621, or 800-558-2954. About 12 miles northwest of Waterford (I-75, exit 101).