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A HOMEBUILT LOW RACER
Editor's note: Two earlier recumbents built by Mike Senyk of Leonard (in northeast Oakland County) were shown in the February 2003 newsletter (when the newsletter was still on paper) -- a short wheelbase and the world's smallest recumbent. Mike was kind enough to write about his latest project and send photos (taken by his brother-in law).
1970 was a good year. I was 21, just out of college and had just bought a new Ford 302 Boss Mustang. It was bright yellow with black interior, black wheels and accent stripes. I had some very good times in that car. Years later, after I had sold it, I knew I had made a mistake in letting it go.
Since original Boss Mustangs are now way too expensive to buy, I thought I would build one, sort of. Now 35 years later, I have built a BOSS low racer in memory of my long lost Mustang.
I'm not a racer, but I like to be efficient. Sitting low and laid back with minimal frontal area makes you more efficient -- and cool looking. That was what I was shooting for. I like bikes like the Baron, Challenge Jester and M5s -- long and low. I didn't have $3,000 or more to purchase one, but I wouldn't spend that much even if I had it.
I've built a few recumbents before the BOSS. My last attempt had over 11,000 miles on it before some serious cracks developed in the frame. This time I thought I would use 6061-T6 aluminum instead of the aluminum fence post I used on the previous one.
I used 2.5 inch outside diameter tube with a .065 thick wall for the main frame. I made the rear fork from a Cannodale Pepperoni aluminum mountain bike front fork that I had laying around. I replaced the dropouts to accommadate a rear wheel.
For the front fork I bought a 650c Kinesis aluminum fork on eBay for $10, then I chopped it to fit the 406 Aerospoke wheel with disc brake.
For the boom, I used a section of 2.5 tube that I made smaller by removing a .45 wide strip lengthwise and welding it back together. I purchase the bottom bracket tube.
I made the stem, handlebars and head tube from parts I had laying around. The seat is a Baron fiberglass model that was given to me.
I bought the seat foam from a local outlet and routered out the slots and BOSS emblem. The paint is Krylon Fusion from spray cans.
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