Microlighters

Hi,

my Windlass is slowly showing its years in a few spots. The nosewheel assembly is looking a bit tatty and there is a lot of play in the pedals. The wheel is still solidly in place and the brake is as good as it gets, so no need to do much there. However, am thinking of taking off the nosewheel frame for a sandblast and repaint job and was wondering what could one do about the wobbly pedals and creating a non-slip footrest. Any tips and recommendations? Thanks!

Cheers,

V.

and creating a non-slip footrest

I bought a set of BMW F650GS passenger footrest rubbers. Fits well and superb grip.

I like the DTA trike foot rests.

Thanks! Any ideas on those wobbly pedals?

V, the nosewheel assembly is fixed to the bowsprit tube. Check for play where the bowsprit fits into the socket connecting it to the seat boom. I doubt if "seat boom" is the correct term, but it is the thick tube running from front to back between your legs onto which the instrument pod is fixed. Keep us posted.

Thanks, the play in the bush on which the nosewheel turns is fine (luckily, otherwise I wouldn't be flying it anymore). It's the throttle and brake pedals that have too much play for my liking. One option is to make new bolts on a lay that fit through the welded-on holes more tightly. Another is to cut off those 'eyelets' and make new ones that fit a standard bolt more snugly. Both seem quite involved for my limited toolbox and was wondering whether there was a simpler fix (aka the BMW footrest).

Cheers,

V.

kloot piloot wrote:bought a set of BMW F650GS passenger footrest rubbers. Fits well and superb grip.

Thanks! I just picked up a pair. They didn't come cheap, but they're perfect!

Regarding the pedals, I chatted to Solowings. They requested pics, but it seems, the best solution is going to be to get oversized bolts for the pedals and drill the eyelets on the fork to make them fit snugly. There should be enough material to allow this. Will confirm when I get the pics to them.

Cheers,

V.

V, did I not mention that BMW parts are almost as expensive as trike parts ? (only joking)

The pedals have more then enough body to go oversized. Remember it is hardly a structural fixing but more like a hinge point. Alternatively oversize the hole and put a proper steel sleeve in it.

After some going back-and-forth, the best solution was to cut off the 'eyelets' and make new ones from 12mm round bar with a 7.9mm hole drilled into it and 8mm bolts skimmed on a lathe for a snug fit. (8mm bolts are never exactly 8mm) Quite a mission, but it's done now and won't need to be touched for the next 25 years.

The original bolts were 8mm and the next size up is 9.8mm (imperial 3/8"). There wasn't enough material to drill up the holes to that size. The sidewalls would have been too thin and would have started wearing out quick. There is always side-ways torque on it when pressing the pedal and the ends would have started giving in.

Same with the sleeve: it was regarded to be too thin for a lasting solution.

Many thanks to Craig from Solowings for the guidance and my buddy in Cape Town who didn't mind fiddling with this for a whole day.

Cheers,

V.