The Snow bike

The project was started the first part of November 2007 with the intention of having it on the road before snow season.  However was interrupted while I was the local mall Santa for 5 straight weeks.  Soon as Santa returned to the pole I was back working on the bike.   On the road first week of January 2008.

My design considerations were as follows:

1. Visibility -- high riding position, bright colors.
2. Good traction, stability, braking -- tadpole trike seems to be best for this.
3. Able to carry plenty of stuff -- solid luggage racks and basket.
4. Studded snow tires front and rear.
5. Can handle cold weather -- ICE as opposed to electric.
6. Lighting for night riding.
7. Braking -- some sort of backup -- modified coaster brake on front left (pavement)side.

Below are the initial photos (thumbnailed) when first put on the road the first week of January of 2008.

Initial issues (problems).  Right front fork angle needed to be corrected (done).  Steering tie rod bolts dropped off (corrected with lock nuts and cotter pins).  Braking -- coaster brake is now only on left front (not both) sides and alloy rims on both front wheel with caliper brakes (that work far better than I expected).  Right and left brake front brake levers for respective sides.  Additional coaster brake lever on left and rear brake lever on right.  Changed rear motor drive gear on wheel from 50 to 44 (increased top speed from 8 to 11 mph).

Still want/need to put free wheel gear on Stanton gear reduction box and smaller gear on wheel.  Would like to get top speed to around 15 mph.  Not really interested in much faster -- its primary use will be on winter roads after all.