The Red Panther - Build photos Bicycle Caravan - Up to the tent fabric after some more adjustments
 Send a message Latest news in the timeline  RSS
The Red Panther

Build photos Bicycle Caravan - Up to the tent fabric after some more adjustments

+
Using these cord ends to make the cord slide better through the cord stoppers.
+
Writing some text on the side of the tire, just like on racing tires. This is a white industrial marker that I use.
+
I will find out soon enough why it was smart to first try this on a test tire.
+
Gave the legs some cover caps. On top, and of course also on the bottom.
+
Yes, I forgot one character. That's why I test first.
+
Wanted to try out textile glue for the tent fabric. I used these samples that they sell as 'bordeaux red'. To me, it's more like brown.
+
Yes, it's really brown. Although the glue was strong and not visible, and the gluing process was quite easy, I don't want to use glue for the tent fabric.
+
I also ordered sewing thread, just in case. But I'm going to stick with my beloved eyelets for the border of the tent fabric.
+
They call it 'pine green'. Pretty dark, but I like it. They sold two shades of 'bordeaux red' and the good one was unfortunately out of stock when I ordered.
+
That fabric is pretty heavy (300 grams per m2), just like the black tarp (680 grams per m2).
+
But before processing the tent fabric for the side walls, there were two things I had to change on the frame.
+
I had a better idea for the sliding support bar (removed here on the photo). It took some mental effort to 'break up' the frame again, but it had to be done. First things first.
+
This is the support bar in it's lower position. It has two new tube connectors on each end. These make it possible for the bar to be flush and level with the other horizontal bars at the same height. Before, with the other connectors, it couldn't reach the top.
+
Support bar in the upper position. Because it's now level and flush, it can also carry the new crossbar. I use this new crossbar as a replacement for the triangle shaped crossbar from plate material that I used before.
+
The new crossbar is just a tube with two connectors, that I can also use on the roof. Keeping the weight down by using multifunctionality to my advantage.
+
Again making space in my living room for a big tarp.
+
I was contemplating buying a special white tailor pencil to make marks on this fabric. I figured out a regular pencil was super visible in the right light. So cutting this fabric was easy, without leaving visible marks everywhere.
+
My border is going to be five centimeters, held in place by eyelets. I don't want to glue the border, get it sewed by someone else with a machine, or stitch the thing by hand myself.
+
Just as with the black tarp, I made a 45 degree angle in some corners.
+
Using a plate to mark straight lines and as a ruler to know where to cut after a couple of meters.
+
I almost bought new paperclips while I had these laying around for years. I'm pretty proud on the fact that I saved a lot and wasted little during this project.
+
That fabric is like paper, it folds so easily.
+
I start with two eyelets in the corners on one side, then hang it on the frame to decide exactly where to put the other eyelets.
+
Getting a feel for the home part of the bicycle caravan.
+
Almost bought two bigger new ones, instead I found a way to get the job done with only this one spring clip I already had.
+
Again, test the material first.
+
Not only to see how the fabric behaves when you punch a hole in it, but also to test the eyelets themselves. This time I used the wrong eyelets, they are way to strong for my hand tools, I can't even get the tools out of them.
+
The ring on the left is brass (nickel plated) and works just fine with my hand tools. I accidentally ordered inox eyelets (on the right) and although they look nice, they are way too sturdy.
+
Left is a brass eyelet (nickel plated), on the right the inox one. The gray silver look from the inox eyelets matches better with the aluminum tubes, but I have to use the other ones.
+
Strong tent fabric is strong. Only after some rough peeling on the side of this cutout I was able to get some threads loose.

More photos in Part Six of this series.

 Videos on YouTube Patreon
You might also like: https://nijmeegsjopie.nl (https://nijmeegsjopie.nl) | Or see all shared links