Re: [Frame] Headtube bushings

Actually, trikes are a good application of bushings instead of bearings
for a kingpin. On a bicycle, you need to have minimal friction, since
balancing requires tiny movements of the front wheel. Try riding a bike
no-hands while the headset is adjusted too tight.

On the other hand, a trike *benefits* by having some friction in the
system. This damps some of the sensitivity to steering inputs that
otherwise cause the vehicle to dart about at the slightest input. (Of
course, steering geometry has a lot to do about this, too.)

Our Aerocoupe trikes used Oillite bushings for the kingpins. They were
1/2" inside diameter by 1" long, and we used 3 stacked one atop the other.
It worked great, and it was a lot simpler to manufacture than using
bicycle headsets for bearings. A suitable analog is go-cart spindles:
http://www.gokartgalaxy.com/spindle_sets_%26_components.htm

Jeff


> Subject: [Frame] Headtube bushings
>
>
>> has anyone worked with bushing materials for the headtube bearings? I
> build
>> trikes and I want to work with bushings for some special designs and
>> need
>> some input.
>
> Although you might be able to use bushings for control rods and steering
> linkage, there is too much friction in a bushing for head tube usage.
>
> Maybe if you supply more info the list could supply more help.
>
> Hugh Enox (who has only built one trike so far, so no expert)
>
>
>




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