For a First Bent Bicycle

Whilst in my weighing mood [ and since wont be in to work to use scales for 2 weeks ] , I weighed the trike as riden - with lights and spare tyres, small amount of water , the rack , the mud guard etc and it is 22 kg [ 48 LBS 8 Ounc ] So want to make sure the Recumbent Bicycle is lighter than this.

 

My 1 Kg wooden seat,


The dowels arent glued in yet, so some are not centred,
This is not set up at the appropriate angle here, I think this is at approx 42 deg.
The shape of this seat is designed for 34 deg recline.

 

been researching the different homebuilt styles.
One good thread where a chap modified a front runner to improve its performance.
It was a very difficult task - so it got me looking at other options.
Found Tom Porter's Recumbent Bike Homebuilder Plans. Tom describes the advantage of chromemoly built correctly.
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I am leaning toward the High Racer 700 - 700 style.

 

This is it, may be a little " mid racer " but it has the concept.

 

Mine would be a modified version of Tom's. Of course it will have the wooden seat but also seat higher and possibly more idler wheels to keep chain away from front wheel.
Tom supplies plans for an excellent rear suspension which I will use too.
Whilst researching, for ideas, I came across Patrick Bateman's modifications to the frontrunner - here - http://www.bentrideronline.com/messageboard/showthread.php?t=94523
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I really appreciate Patrick sharing this info because it taught me a lot.
Things like , the frame needs to be stiff to transfer power, the riders head should not be behind the rear axle. Front fork offset and its effect on handling etc.