Jim's Story
Creation of the Trike 'Taranis'
The Thunder Wolf
A life changing Trike?
April 11th 2009 Today I travelled to Dorset to pick up a Kwak KZ1300 that someone had comissioned me to build a trike with - it was a friend of hers who's birthday it was and she was having it triked for him because after his 'accident' he was unable to ride his beloved machine.
Now when i met 'Jim' he told me about his accident that had left him virtually crippled. A few years ago he was involved in a bike accident when a car ran over his legs - smashing them to bits! he was told that he would never walk again let alone ride again.
Before the accident he was an enthusiastic motorcyclist and very active in all sorts of sports, living life to the full - the accident took ALL that away from him.
But as he hobbled around on crutches in his kitchen making me a tea - he explained that through sheer guts and determination he had defied the Doctors and his injuries and could get about with the aid of crutches.
A trike would mean more to him than anything else you can imagine - it would give him independance and freedom that he so much craved! The bloke had not left his house in 3 1/2 years for fecks sake!
He talked about the magnificiant views that could be seen from the tops of the hills overlooking the Bay where he lived and yet for him - all from memory! He talked about having to rely on people to take him to the shops or to pick up his prescriptions etc but he was like a kid in a candy shop when talking about the Trike.- a life changing Trike!
So we nipped round to where the bike was kept , a kind neighbour had made space for it on land across the road - not touched for 5 years! rusted brakes and looking the worse for wear surrounded by overgrown weeds and grass. - lets just say it needs alot of work!
It's not often things move me - but this Bloke does not deserve the life he's leading at the moment - he deserves better! and so Jim's Trike story starts here..................................................... .............................................................................................................................................................................................
Jim's girl arrives - me and Ash unload the van with the help of an apprentice winchman
What a Beast! Gonna make a crackin Trike!
Spent a day cleaning up the carbs and sorting out electrics. Put back together and fired her up
Running well now. WOW! six cylinders!
Uploaded a vid to youtube of Her running
click on link below
ENJOY!!
Jim Has now named his Trike 'Taranis'
It means Thunder! (very apt)
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Looking a bit worse for wear today!
Mock up of backrest
('Pred' also approving the build!)
Then mock up of light units - just to see what suits the bike.
Pic above - Number 1....................Nah!
Number 2 ...............Hmmm! ...............Nah!
Yes Jim - think you were right about a round headlight - we'll stick with this one for now.
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Taranis is now stripped down ready for an overhaul and rebuild.
First the front brakes, wheel and forks are removed.........
Then the back end!
Now she looks like this
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The swinging arm took some getting off as the pivot pins were rusted in
But I got there in the end!
The swinging arm and prop were removed and a bit of AVP surgery was applied!
Fabrication started - tacked up
Then set up on axle and prop cut to length
Need to weld up properly after a measure up and a double check
Also to plate around swnging arm end.
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Now on three wheels!
Taranis taking shape now.
Trial mock ups -
Handle bars mounted and new seat
also 'old muddies' used to get the feel.
New exhaust made up and fitted
click on pic for Vid
And then the Customising can begin...............
The light unit
Initial design and make up of the instrument panel
Fitted to the Trike
Then Taranis takes shape sporting 'Chameleon paint' which changes colour in different light.
Engine casings polished and etched
Artwork on Tank
The Backrest and lights
The forward controls were specially made incorporating the pin that was removed from Jim's leg!!
Other special bits
Tank badges and side panels made
This is Taranis in all her glory!
(note the crutch rack)
Jim
A Picture says a thousand words!
And finally a video of Taranis and Jim riding her......
Good luck Jim my friend with your new life of freedom!
Steve