Bill  McKay's Latest Recumbent Project - 4/2007

Bill McKay has come up with another eye catching design. I mean, check out those cool  retro fenders! Here's what Bill had to say about this bike... "Here are some pictures and data on my latest bent.  A lot of the features are the same as the Yellow Bent I sent you on March of 06. "It is 8.5 feet long and separates in front of the mirror post for transporting. The steering is via two rods with a pivot in the center. The front rod separates from the fork with a wing nut. The fenders are fiberglass and I may have lost my head on them. But I can always trim and repaint. The start out and low speed balance is outstanding. The 26 inch wheels ride so much better than the smaller wheels that I used on my previous Bents."

Back in March of 2003 Bill McKay sent along these photos of his unique recumbent - his fifth! 
Read his comments below where he lists some of the features of this bike...

"Here are some pictures of the bent I just finished. I rode it last year in primer, made some modifications and painted it over winter and am waiting for the weather to break. This is my 5th bent and the best riding so far. I am 70 and do all my riding on rails to trails. Most of them are Sandstone.

"The bike has 1 1/4 inches of neg. trail or caster. Several years ago someone in a Bent Forum said this may be a good thing and should be investigated, I finally got around to building one and he was right. It can be steered with your finger tips.

"Some other features:
- The stand is loose, it stores under the mirror post brace when riding and if the bike has to be pushed any distance, it fits down into the fork tube.
- I put both brakes on the rear wheel because it simplifies the front of the bike and two wheel braking is not needed where I ride. I made adjustable mechanical stops for the brake arms. (No more brake dragging) and also have high intensity LED brake lights.
- It has a jack shaft with two sprockets that gives the 20 inch wheel a higher ratio than a 52/14 26 inch wheel.
- Steering is by two cables.
- The horn is a Radio Shack alert. It and the battery are mounted under the seat. The button is in the end of the handle grip.
- Mirrors on a USS Bent are always a problem so I put mine up high.
- I have a basket that hooks on the back of the seat that is not in the picture.
- One cooler is for drinks, the other for tools. Their holders fold up when transporting the bike.
- As you can see, the bike is heavy. It weighs in at 52 lbs. I have found very little difference between light and heavy bikes on the rail trails. Its all about exercise any way."

Bill McKay

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