John Bateman works as an engineer at Pittsburgh airport but his interest has always been motorcycles, both dirt bikes and street bikes. He first got into welding when he was younger so he could repair broken bike frames. Now he works part time in a motorcycle shop where he likes to make custom bikes. Recently he has developed a reputation as the person to see for custom three-wheelers for people with disabilities. “It’s very rewarding when someone who has not been able to ride for years gets on and goes for that first ride around the parking lot,” John says.

This trike was built for a man with no legs. The majority of the lift was welded with an ESAB HW-24 Heliarc tig torch and ESAB filler metal. This 80-amp torch is designed to reach into tight places with a miniature head that provides maximum accessibility and excellent visibility. The back rest and a few other components were welded with ESAB Spoolarc 85 ER70S-4 wire. The majority of the trike was build from low carbon steel with aluminum on the deck plate of the lift.