My solar-assisted custom tricycle FOLLIES

[ddk]

just got back from the LBS
guy sold me a tire he sez will fit...

LBS guy thought it might not fit my fork except my 24" rim is fitted to a 26" fork LOL

lbs tire is biggererer.jpg (22.83 KiB) Viewed 1402 times

He had two headset bearings left that fit my (in his words) "just a standard 1" tube)- until he tried several different 1" tube bearings.
And I know the tube tain't 1" otherwise my 1" tube bearing carriers/races would have fit the tube.
(the tube is 22.something mm)

other differences in the ampedbike Mighty Mite motor kit is it now includes an on/off switch my first kit lacked

does the new rim and switch justify the 40 buck increase in price? who knows...

mux kit controller on off switch.jpg (26.22 KiB) Viewed 1402 times

but now we be awaiting the shipping of da davinci

[ddk]

we still be awaiting the nuvinci

so I endlessly babble-speak
I had the odd (for me nothing is actually odd, just unusual) occasion of driving a car yesterday.
Although I don't note where my location is in my profile I will note that it's the NW Pacific coastline
But I digress:
I had to take a 200-mile trip to another city and I initially thought I might like to look around the location a bit so I rented a, gasp, car.
86F temps and a possible broken ankle made me think otherwise so I returned to the coast (56F and foggy)
My ankle never proved to be a problem pedaling a bike. It became a major problem driving a car.
Along the way I noted a lone bicyclist on the Redwood Highway that I wouldn't likely consider riding. (no shoulders, too much traffic driving way too fast etc.)
Driving the interstate I noticed lots of bikers- no ebikes (distances between services are too great for most ebikes)
...and I'd hazard a guess the youngest bicyclist was ~50 years old.
30-somethings are the majority seen along Highway 101

On my return trip along the Redwood Highway I passed the lone bicyclist going the same way she previously was headed as she sledgehammered on.

[ddk]

I bought a new camera -back to taking crappy pics

so after lunch

lite lunch

lunch equaled one dirty martini.jpg (37.11 KiB) Viewed 1386 times

(wobbly?-nope only drank a few sips to remind myself I like olives more than alcohol)

I started the ride back home when suddenly MAX BRAKES.
The cheap-ass brake arms that came with the bicycledesigner "brake for bent front-springer fork" ah... bent.
And the pads were now rubbing against the sidewalls of the tire.

oh my...

brake walking.jpg (24.97 KiB) Viewed 1386 times

Lucky for me I lunched right across from the LBS, where I purchased a replacement part. ...and it only cost as much as the bicycledesigner doohicky (without shipping)
Replacing the brake arms involved more grunt work than I've done for a while, hence my "new" signature.

shore getz pricey for crap

new brake for front.jpg (33.21 KiB) Viewed 1386 times

I got back to the ddk bike and trike shop safely.
I also mounted my newly acquired tire.

IT"S BIG

compared to other 24" tire -almost a 26" size

bigererer tire mounted.jpg (55.67 KiB) Viewed 1386 times

[ddk]

...still waiting on the staton nuvinci

tomorrow I make The Big Decision staton may not like.
Reason:
Two weeks lead-time on a part where the seller indicated no lead-time was part of the deal, seems fair enough to me.

...and I really need to finish this trike.
Maybe staton doesn't understand the trike(s) is my only form of transportation.
I stopped using cars, not because I lost my license but because I made the decision to stop using ICE-powered vehicles where I think e-cars sux.

[ddk]

I procured the parts for my 'alternative to the nuvinci' ... just in case the nuvinci doesn't ship... today.

Although I still don't like the derailleur (esp. when climbing hills where it refuses to downshift properly as where every derailleur set I've ever owned or used has exhibited that same 'feature') my alternatives seem less likely to materialize in time.

- the "one gear only" solution -
depending on how staton answers my latest email inquiry I might be spending the day disassembling MT#2's tricycle axle so I can weld on an additional 13-tooth sprocket to the derailleur mounting collar-thingy (the thingy with the two set screws for fixing the derailleur cage's position via the 4mm keyway slot on the 15mm axle)
This, of course makes the 13-tooth sprocket 'fixed' on the axle.
The motor will drive a freewheeled 44-tooth sprocket on the added 5/8" jackshaft along with a mounted "fixed 9-tooth sprocket" and a 160mm disc brake mounted on a 5/8" hub.
Additional welding includes the bearing holders for the jackshaft, which will be welded 'under the frame' as opposed to 'over the frame' on MT#1 (we lives. we learns. especially from our previous errors)

edit- I believe I shall drill a hole for a derailleur arm to be mounted on the 5/8" jackshaft .
this allows me to use a fixed sprocket and the disc brake on the 15mm axle.
Lucky for me I recently purchased a brass tube to shim the 15mm axle to accept the 5/8" hub and gear.

[ddk]

received e-mail reply
either ship today or I get a full refund so I guess I should spend the day building the other two battery packs.
I got two old stems from the LBS so I can mount one pack on the handlebars facing forward the headset stem.
I already have shims to adapt the grips to the handlebars.

After months of taking detailed readings on the lithium packs I find I hardly glance at the meters anymore.
Now I wobble between procuring a smaller dedicated voltmeter or a few more "cheap" cell readers, which, although inaccurate, are close enough for my needs.
note: A cell log is useless for monitoring on the road, as it's display is sized for really really small people (about the size of a meerkat)

[ddk]

just got back from the LBS
guy sold me a tire he sez will fit...

lbs tire is biggererer.jpg

I failed to mention it took several attempts to get the tire bead to set properly around the stem area
...as per usual *with a tired, slightly bored voice*

"the more you pay for a bicycle part, the harder it is to install"

[ddk]

the staton-nuvinci will apparently ship today
received a call from staton asking whether I wanted the steel or aluminum sprocket
(steel, please)

Guess I can restore the axle and bearing plates to their hiding place.

[ddk]

the most important part of my project gets delivered tomorrow
-The bigger shed.

[ddk]

my shed-in-a-box is here.
Too bad I ain't so energetic today.
Every time I make a change to MT#1 I have to remember to procure enough parts for "2"

I've decided to stretch the frame of MT#2 by about 10" (~25.4cm).
This is the last effort to make the trike that much more stable at those crazy downhill speeds where I feel not-so-comfortable above 30mph (48kph)
Welder-fella gives me a Wednesday estimate for start/completion.
In the meantime i expect to:
- Finish my *NEW* *IMPROVED* *AMAZING* battery boxes and their mounting brackets/holder-downers (see: MT#1 for the gory details.
- Receive the Nuvinci hub-thingy, drilling the hub flange to accept the 44-tooth sprocket (I guess Dave ran outta time LOL) (He recommended 4mm parts. Being a cantankerous ornery old fool I shall use 10/32 hardware because I have those in stainless steel)
- Erect new shed (just like the old shed except longer-er with front/rear doors for that "breezeway effect" so I can work inside as needed. The current shade solution is already showing signs of imminent self-destruction.
-make the mods to the tricycle axle as I've done on MT#2 for the battery mounts, hitch, and soon-to-be-added upper rear supports for the soon-to-be-added solar panel 'woof' 'woof' 'woof'

all in all I shall be kept busy by my own devices.

[ddk]

so... deep

bigger shed.jpg (30.72 KiB) Viewed 406 times

16 featz deep

first shed tackerf on 2nd shed.jpg (25.48 KiB) Viewed 406 times

currently in the "whipped" mode of bare existance

[ddk]

received the nuvinci today!
ya!
-no more screwing around with sprocket adapters

expected delivery on additional speakons before today but alas, they won't show up until the 2nd.
In addition to the ones from parts express just for giggles I also ordered speakons from deals extreme just to see how long they'll take to be shipped (pretty gud prices for knockoffs).
More speakons the merrier.

Consulted with the local builders today about creating the superstructure supports for the solar roof (yes I believe I shall make MT#2 the long-ranger. Just have to imitate a black mask, smelt some silver bullets and add more "horse" power)
Battery cases are to be interchangeable between MT#1 and MT#2.

Somebody asked me if the battery cases were speakers -lol.

[ddk]

talking to me self is always fun...

between the NuVinci, the batteries, the solar panel and it's superstructure I'll be adding at least 100 pounds of weight.
Something under my sub-par consciousness keeps nagging me about the mini-motor but I'm refusing to acknowledge reality.

[ddk]

Took the frame and the NuVinci over to welder-fella's shop.
He promises to return the stretched version on Friday.
Time to ride...

[ddk]

stretched frame.jpg (30.86 KiB) Viewed 343 times

frame holes drilled.jpg (15.22 KiB) Viewed 343 times

dry fit NuVinci.jpg (35.54 KiB) Viewed 343 times

bolted on rear.jpg (41.85 KiB) Viewed 343 times

marking the drill points.jpg (28.34 KiB) Viewed 343 times

screws screwed.jpg (31.76 KiB) Viewed 343 times

lock tite derivitive.jpg (21.01 KiB) Viewed 343 times

drive chained.jpg (39.88 KiB) Viewed 343 times

pedal chain slop for tensioner.jpg (25.26 KiB) Viewed 343 times

cleanup time.jpg (56.22 KiB) Viewed 343 times

[ddk]

haven't driven my motorhome since march...
been hearing noises underneath it for the last couple of months.

rats?
cats?
groundhogs?
skunk?

nope

dan quail.jpg (17.93 KiB) Viewed 273 times

[The fingers]

Much less destructive than the other animals and good eatin' too!

[ddk]

...and lots quieter than the owl hoot likes to sit on my opened roof vent some nights.

the day's end

8 04 12 partial completion.jpg (67.78 KiB) Viewed 267 times

lowered seat by 3 inches.jpg (24.38 KiB) Viewed 267 times

rear seat support.jpg (71.17 KiB) Viewed 267 times

modified brake.jpg (52.25 KiB) Viewed 267 times

I'm really disappointed with the springer forks this time. The spring-holder-thingy is already worn enough to require replacement on MT#1 and it's only seen 6 weeks use.

Gonna have to have welder-fella build me 2 extra heavy duty versions.

spring redo img.jpg (44.35 KiB) Viewed 267 times

spring redo img2.jpg (53 KiB) Viewed 267 times

[winkinatcha]

Dude!

that
Is
Beutiful



Joe

[ddk]

the birds?
the trike?
or my piss-poor attempts at poetry...

my1018 on.jpg (39.09 KiB) Viewed 256 times

chain chain chain.jpg (39.75 KiB) Viewed 256 times

gear cage final drive.jpg (72.05 KiB) Viewed 256 times

[winkinatcha]

haha all of that, but your build quality is the one that leaves me gasping the most, and yer photography is purty
Joe

[ddk]

... it all changes when I add the electrics
I made a futile search through all the trike's stuff for the NuVinci control cable sheaths.
Only after I couldn't find them did I explore my memory whether or not I even saw them in the box (I always do this last because that IS an exercise in futility)

worm hole.jpg (26.44 KiB) Viewed 253 times

-I'm gonna conclude I never received the control sheaths in the first place...
bummer
Too late for the LBS so I started working on the electrics

This time around I'm using two throttles because I'm having doubts about the mini motor's ability to accelerate with the additional poundage I'm adding.
(To the trike!. I already sport more than enough poundage)
I'm using a MY1018 motor on the rear drive for testing because Mr Wishy-Washy hasn't made a decision about what type/power motor should be used.

dualing throttles2.jpg (26.95 KiB) Viewed 253 times

dualing throttles.jpg (26.93 KiB) Viewed 253 times

As you might discern from the photos, the fog became nore of a drizzle so I started cleaning up for the day

meaning the drizzle stopped as soon as I finished putting away the last tool.

oh well, I needed a break anyways.

[John in CR]

ddk,

Do you already have experience with a trike using that kind of steering geometry? I realize trikes steer differently, but different enough for about a foot of negative trail to steer well, especially with a lot of weight, is a new one on me. Be careful and keep it really slow on those initial test rides. Good to see the drive train parts coming together so nicely.

John

[Rassy]

I made a futile search through all the trike's stuff for the NuVinci control cable sheaths.

Yep, for some reason they don't supply the cable sheaths in the kit. I think their logic is you will get the custom length you need from your LBS, and then just trim the cables to the right size.

Even though the cables are already attached at the shifter end, they are still pretty hard to attach/wind onto the pullies at the transmission end.

I thought you were going for an auto shift. I have a complete manual shift on the shelf that I haven't decided what to do with yet. I installed it on my trike, took one or two test rides, and put the Nexus 8 back on. It takes two full turns to shift and requires a firm grip. Plus, it can't even be turned when under power. However, the shifter works pretty good on standard type (horizontal) handle bars. On my tadpole the bars point up, so the half shifter was at the little finger end of my left hand and I couldn't even twist it with gloves on. True, I am really old and not very strong.

Anyway, keep in mind that I have that spare unit if (when?) you break a key part of the NuVinci.

[ddk]

John,
I'd say I have some experience with the steering

bat carriers.jpg (45.02 KiB) Viewed 241 times

twitchy?-yes
manageable?-yes
high-speeds?-no

I use a 36v battery that keeps my top speed at or below 20mph where the trike feels safe.
Over 30mph DH and I'm riding the brakes...

ddk,

Do you already have experience with a trike using that kind of steering geometry? I realize trikes steer differently, but different enough for about a foot of negative trail to steer well, especially with a lot of weight, is a new one on me. Be careful and keep it really slow on those initial test rides. Good to see the drive train parts coming together so nicely.

John