Franken Bike

Earliest Version of the Tour Easy electric. this was cobbled together from a couple of earlier attempts at a Tour Easy. I rode this bike in one form or another for about 2 years

Solar Trailer for powering the assist

This is a small utility trailer that carries the batteries for the electric assist unit. It also carries a solar charging station. It is not a GREAT charger, but it does help extend the range somewhat.

The rig from a front perspective. The battery pack is in the trailer as well

The Tailbox and new, plywood seat in place

This is the coroplast tailbox that was constructed originally for my Terra Trike as a more aerodynamic addition, but it carries a good cargo space as well. Note the plywood seat, not as uncomfortable as it looks.

The battery box is in an ideal position in the frame now, no longer in the trailer, but the power cord is too short!

The battery box nestles in the frame close to the C of G bringing more weight to the front of the bike. this also eliminates the need to always use the utility trailer, but for the present, also eliminates the ability to use solar charging!

Control panel, such as it is. Note Air Zound air horn!

the Air Zound is a very useful tool for traffic. Note that it mounts in a water bottle cage. Since this bike is intended for commuting, I am not concerned with lack of water carrying capacity. Plans include another cage but for now it is not necessary

The front of the tailbox showing access to brakes and underside of the tailbox for additional storage.

The seat flips forward to allow access to brakes and to future storage areas under the tail box. Possibilitys include solar panel storage or such items as rain covers.

Rear of the tail box, note good reflector area! NOT my largest reflector however!

Not the Franken Bike, but my normal touring Trike outfitted for night riding. NOTE reflectors and active lights! This is not ALL !

This is my Terra Trike when I ride at night! there are TWO flash flags on the left side that stick out about a foot past my handlebars, a blinking light on the box, another on my helmet, (plus three more smaller blinkies you can not see here) and reflective tape on tailbox, helmet and the arm with the flash flags

The PV panels on the tailbox

This addition is a temporary version of what I want to do later with the larger fairing. this is simply the flat top tailbox with the solar panels placed on top of a reinforcing sheet to keep them in place. The trunk lid is still useable and the panels feed the batteries constantly.

The current meter

The meter is mounted on the lower member of the frame and shows both current draw and state of charge. right now it shows a total of almost 28 V (DVM reading was 27.7)