Blackbird EZ-1 Classic Quadribent Configuration guide

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By Blackbird Designs Inc.
Mark 5.2 June 2011
EZ-1/EZ-CLASSIC
QUADRIBENT™
Assembly Instructions
And User Guide
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General Rules For Safe Riding
1. DO NOT ALLOW ANYONE TO STAND OR SIT ON THE CARGO PLATFORM OR ANY OF THE
QUADRIBENT CONNECTING PARTS OR TO RIDE ANYWHERE EXCEPT SITTING ON THE
SEAT.
2. Adults should supervise children at all times.
3. Always wear a CPSC approved helmet and some form of eye protection.
4. Always ride with a rear view mirror attached to your helmet or mounted to your vehicle.
5. Obey all traffic rules and regulations, signs and signals.
6. Ride on the side of the road, going in the same direction as the traffic.
7. Use proper hand signals when turning or stopping.
8. Be alert at all times, especially watch for cars pulling out into traffic and for opening doors.
9. Please read EZ-1 SX/EZ-CLASSIC Owner’s Manual for additional information regarding “EZ-1 Riding Tips”,
“Night Riding Tips”, “Wet Weather Riding Cautions”, “Fitting Your EZ-1” and “EZ-1 Riding Tips”.
General Rules For Riding Your EZ-1 SX/EZ-CLASSIC Quadribent
1. Inspect your EZ-1 SX/EZ-CLASSIC Quadribentbefore every ride. Make sure all nuts and bolts on the EZ-1
and accessory Quadribentframe are securely tightened. Check your brakes by applying them and pushing the
Quadribentforward and backward to make sure they are engaging properly. Check your tires for proper air
pressure as indicated on the sidewall of the tires. Make sure the quick release levers on the wheels and seat are
properly closed and secure. Make sure all of the Quadribentmounting hardware is properly installed. Check to
see that the quick release pins on the steering tie rod are properly inserted and locked. Stop vehicle and discontinue
riding if any mechanical problems arise, including but not limited to any sudden changes in: vehicle stability,
steering control, and / or pedaling difficulty.
2. Check and adjust your seat position/seat recline before mounting your Quadribent. Never attempt to readjust the
seat position while vehicle is in motion.
3. Always ride your Quadribentwith a partner. Never ride the Quadribent“solo” for the vehicle may lose
stability in turns and can tip over resulting in serious injury.
4. Always wear the factory supplied seat belts when riding the EZ-1 Quadribent.
5. The Co-Captain Steering links the handlebars of both EZ-1 recumbents together allowing either rider to pilot the
Quadribent. Each rider should always keep both hands on the handlebars when the vehicle is in motion. Each
rider is responsible for steering around people, vehicles and/or any obstructions to avoid collisions with any objects
in your path.
6. Remove the factory supplied “parking brake” strap after mounting the vehicle and properly securing your seatbelt.
Always reinstall the “parking brake” strap before exiting the vehicle.
7. As a courtesy to your riding partner and for the safe operation of the Quadribentboth riders should communicate
all non emergency turns, braking, starts and stops before they are executed.
8. For the safety of both riders, it is recommended the vehicle be slowed to less than 10 miles per hour (mph) before
initiating any turns of 90 or more degrees.
9. The EZ-1 Quadribentis designed for use on streets and bike paths only. Off-road, off-trail, mountain trail and /
or open field riding is not recommended and should not be attempted.
10. Do not modify, drill holes or mount accessories to Quadribentcross beams or frame.
The Quadribentis 2-seat, side-by-
side, human powered vehicle that enables almost anyone to enjoy cycling.
The 4-wheeled design maximizes stability and the recumbent position maximizes your seating comfort. Heads-
up design eliminates neck, shoulder and hand pain. Co-
Captain steering allows either rider to pilot the vehicle
and the dual-
drive allows people with different physical abilities to ride together with either rider generating from
0 to 100 percent of the power. The Quadribenti
s great for combining an adult rider with a child and/or
physically challenged rider. The Quadribent
can be separated into two recumbent bikes for “solo” riding and
easy transportation however it is not recommended to be done on a regular basis. Most people never separate it.
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HELPFUL HINTS
 The EZ-1 SX/EZ-CLASSIC Quadribent ™ Mark 5.1 Kit is made for late 2009 and later EZ-1 models.
A custom Quadkit for the previous models of the EZ-1 can be ordered from Blackbird Designs. Please
be sure you have the compatible bikes and Quadribent™ Kit before starting.
 The EZ-1 SX/EZ-CLASSIC Quadribent™ Kit is partially assembled, and is intended to be sold in a
fully assembled and adjusted condition by your Dealer. If the kit is bought ‘factory direct’ by the
customer, he is responsible for final assembly and adjustment.
 Completely assemble two EZ-1 SX/EZ-CLASSIC Recumbents per assembly instructions, but DO
NOT INSTALL SEATS until after the Quadribent™ Kit is completely installed.
 The sequential assembly numbering system has been adjusted so that the text and pictures share the
same number.
 Designate one bike as the “LEFT BIKE” (facing forward) and second bike as the “RIGHT BIKE”.
 The remaining portion of the Instruction Manual is pictorially based. Review instructions before
starting to assemble Quadribent™ Kit. Simply follow the sequence of pictures displayed on the
following pages. The average assembly time is approximately 30 minutes.
 The Quadribent™ Kit is manufactured to be assembled with basic hand tools. Tools recommended
include: tape measure, wrenches, socket set, and metric allen wrenches.
 If questions arise or technical support is required during the assembly process, please contact
Blackbird Designs Inc. for a prompt service. The contact information is listed on page 2.
 Blackbird Designs Inc. recommends when you replace worn O.E.M. tires supplied with the EZ-1’s
with high pressure Maxxis Hookworm (110 psi 16” front and 110 psi 20” rear) tires. This is a very
tuff tire with low rolling resistance. Check with your local bike shop for availability.
FOR TECHNICAL SUPPORT CONTACT:
Blackbird Designs Inc.
Jim Black, President
12721 Appleview Lane
Burnsville, MN 55337
Phone: [phone]
Email: blackbir[email protected]m
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EZ-1 SX/EZ-CLASSIC QUADRIBENT™
PARTS LIST
1. FRONT BEAM (‘U’ shaped 1” x 1” square aluminum tube)
2. LOWER BEAM (1” x 1” square aluminum tube 30” long)
3. TOP REAR BEAM (1” x 1” square aluminum tube 29½” long)
4. FRONT BRACKETS (four aluminum plates 3” x 6½”)
5. TOP BRACKETS (behind seat) (four aluminum plates 3” x 2 1/8”)
6. REAR AXLE BRACKETS (two aluminum angles 3”x 3” x 1 ¾”)
7. REAR TRIANGLE BRACKETS (two aluminum triangles 3”x 3”)
8. REAR VERTICAL BEAMS (two 1” x 1” square aluminum tube 12½” long)
9. CARGO PLATFORM (30” X 18” aluminum sheet)
10. STEERING LEVERS (two pairs machined 1” x ¾” aluminum bars)
11. STEERING TIEROD ASSEMBLY (30” long (hole to hole) threaded rod with rod end bearings)
12. EZ-1 SX HARDWARE KIT (one parking brake – orange Velcro strap, two ¼” x 1” bolts, four ¼”
x 1-3/4” bolts, twelve ¼” washers, six ¼” nylock nuts, two 5/16” x 2” bolts, two 5/16” nylock nuts,
two plastic washers (to go between the steering arm and the rod end bearing), two 5mm x 15mm
screw.
13. 2 SEATBELTS (four 2” x 30” nylon straps, 2 plastic buckles and four plastic tri-glide binders)
14. ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS
15. EZ-CLASSIC TAPERED SHIMS ( 2 rubber shims) see installation item 5A.
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ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS WITH PICTURES
FINGER TIGHTEN ALL NUTS/BOLTS OF
AN ASSEMBLED PART THEN TIGHTEN
NUTS/BOLTS EVENLY.
REAR AXLE BRACKET INSTALLATION
1) Find angle brackets - install on left side of right
hand bike and on right side of left hand bike as
shown in Figure 1. Install to bike dropout bracket
with 5mm screws and rear wheel axle pin (lever
handle on the outside).
Figure 1
Caution – on left hand bike add washers as
required so that screws go through dropout but
don’t extend too far to interfere with chain in the
smallest sprocket.
2) Find front beam, large ‘U’ shaped 1 x 1
aluminum square tube. Remove two outboard
bolts/spacers on right side and attach to top tube of
right bike frame just behind the head tube. Install
spacers/bolts/nuts and tighten evenly, enough to
hold in place. See figure 2.
Figure 2
3) Find lower beam, 1 x 1 x 30” square aluminum
beam and steel bracket with rubber pad. Install to
both bikes with ¼-20 bolt as shown in figure 3.
Rubber pad on beam goes between cable housing.
Don’t tighten until everything is installed.
Figure 3
4) Find the rear beam assembly. 1 x 1 x 29”
square aluminum tube with attached plates.
Remove two of the ¼” x 1¾” bolts from each of
the plates and install the assembly on the rear of
the bike frame top tube. Reinstall two ¼” x 1¾”
bolts through plate/spacer/plate (tighten enough to
hold in place) as shown in figure 4.
Figure 4
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CARGO PLATFORM INSTALLATION
5) Find the cargo platform (18 x 30” aluminum
sheet). With the three flanges up and the flange
down at the rear, slide the platform over the rear
axle angle brackets forward to the lower beam.
Install two ¼” x 1 ¾” bolts through the
platform/lower beam at the front and two ¼” x 1”
bolts through the platform/rear axle angle
brackets. Install two ¼” x 1 ¾” bolts through the
platform/vertical beam as shown in figure 5. If
all bolts can’t be installed, as a last resort, you can
‘chase’ the hole with a ¼” drill.
If you are connecting 2 EZ-CLASSIC models or 1
EZ-1 SX and 1 EZ-CLASSIC add the tapered
shim between the angle bracket and the platform
as shown in figure 5A.
Figure 5
Figure 5A
6) It is time to tighten bolts in the following order:
Front beam
Rear Top beams
Cargo platform
STEERING ASSEMBLY
7) Find steering levers and attach to handle bar
stem, about the same distance (on both bikes) up
from the head tube, with two 8mm x 45mm
machine screws & washers as shown in figure 12.
The steering lever should be outboard - right side
of right bike and left side of left bike (shown). The
levers should be rotated about 15°outboard in
relation to the front tire, but should be the same on
each side. Tighten both 8mm screws evenly,
enough to hold in place.
Figure 7
8) Find steering tie rod assembly (should measure
30” center to center) and attach to steering levers
using 5/16” x 2” bolts, plastic washer to go
between the steering arm and the rod end bearing
see figure 8.
Figure 8
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9) Find and install orange Velcro parking brake on
either of the ‘drivers’ brake levers as shown in
figure 10. The parking brake is intended to keep
the Quadribent from rolling on relatively flat
ground, when not in use. Never park facing
uphill or down hill.
Figure 9
FRONT END WHEEL ALIGNMENT
10) Check front-end wheel alignment by
measuring the distance between the front rims of
the two bikes as shown in figures 10, 11 & 12.
Two measurements are required. The first is at
axle height on the leading edge of the front rims.
The second is at axle height on the trailing edge of
the front rims. These measurements should be
approximately equal. A difference of up to a 1/16”
is acceptable if the leading edge measurement is
smaller than the trailing edge. This is commonly
called “toe-in”.
Figure 10
Figure 11
Figure 12
13) If the two measurements show the front wheels
are out of alignment, loosen the two Allen screws
of the steering lever and rotate it as needed. After
adjusting the steering levers retighten the screws
and visually check that they are about the same
angle outboard, with the two front wheels straight.
Wheel alignment should be checked regularly,
before/after a long ride, after riding on rough
roads.
14) Please check all nuts and bolts to ensure they
are fastened properly.
When all hardware is tight and secure, mount the
seats to both bikes per the EZ-1 owner’s manual.
Check proper operation of the brakes, front and
rear shifters after Quadribent is fully assembled.
Test ride to verify adjustments.
DO NOT ALLOW ANYONE TO STAND OR
SIT ON ANY OF THE QUADRIBENT
CONNECTING PARTS OR TO RIDE
ANYWHERE EXCEPT ON THE SEAT.
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15) The final assembly step is the installation of
the seatbelts. Unclip or open the lower two seat
back mounting clips from the EZ-1 koolback seat.
Thread the end of the seatbelt through the tri-glide
fastener and then around the exposed seat frame as
shown in figure 15.
Figure 15
16) Insert the end of nylon strap back through the
tri-glide as shown in figure 16.
Figure 16
17) Insert the end of nylon strap back through the
tri-glide as shown in figure 17. Reconnect the
middle two seat back mounting buckles on the EZ-
1 seat. Repeat this process on both the right and
left side of each seat on each bike.
Figure 17
18) Install the other end of the nylon straps through
the buckle as shown in figure 18. The buckle is
equipped with a quick release. Simply squeeze the
center of the buckle and it will open. Seat belt
length is adjustable by pulling on the ends of the
nylon straps. If the strap end becomes frayed it
can be sealed with a flame from a candle.
Figure 18
SPECIAL NEEDS CUSTOMIZATION
A second seat belt, at chest height, can be added to better secure “Special needs” kids and adults. Toe clips
and straps can be added to the pedals to secure feet to the pedals. Also extra straps can be added to the pedals
to go around the heel. Call Blackbird Designs for the latest developments in accessories for people with
“special needs”.
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