ChopperMan's MKII

[ChopperMan]

And some more.

[deecanio]

LOOKING GOOD

whats the bills like mate - they seem to do a lovely job and it will work out expensive if your paying by the hour? let me know as i would definately consider a custom frame for my next build (he says laughing as the first build is no where near finished)

cheers


D

[ChopperMan]

I have been very fortunate to find this company. After the first day, 1st sept, when we built 80% of the frame, progress has been slow. They are fitting it in between paying jobs. They are developing the frame, on the basis that, I'm building them a website and when the frame design is finalised and throughly tested, they will get the contract to put them into production. I will then sell the frame as a kit as well as built up bikes. The kit will include the power train and you'll just add standard MTB front end and brakes..... well that's the plan

The list of things to finish include; rear caliper mount, brake cables, front tyre, mount enclusure properly, then mount battery strap and controller inside, fit throttle again, then take it all apart and powder coat everything black, before building it all back up again. There is probably more...... I just can't wait until I get to ride......

Just remember ! it needs a stand fabricated as well......

[Jozzer]

Very Very nice. I can't wait to try one

[ChopperMan]

Looking forward to more photos Ian. What wall thickness is the frame tube you used. Is it just mild steel? I've been nearly tempted to buy a tube bending rig a couple of times to do something like this myself, but if I buy any more tools there won't be any standing room left in the garage

Hi Malcolm,

We have used 25mm, 1.2mm wall mild steel tube. Heavy, but easy to fabricate. The idea is that once the shape/design is finalised, it will then go on a diet. Maybe stainless steel or possibly aluminium, or just 25mm 0.8mm mild steel. 25mm is a cheap size to fabricate as the engineers have the tooling to bend and cut that size. If we change the size, re-tooling could cost £200+ for new die's etc.

Cheers,

Ian

[Malcolm]

The frame's looking really good and your plan to use 0.8 mm wall, 25 mm tube sounds like it will give you a fairly light frame. I used 0.8 mm on a tadpole trike and it worked well, although welding can be tricky unless you use TIG.

I'm curious to know what your target market will be. I imagine you'll be selling it with a motor rated at over 200W, so are you planning to sell it is as a licensable vehicle or just leave that up to the buyer's discretion?

Cheers
Malcolm

[ChopperMan]

The frame's looking really good and your plan to use 0.8 mm wall, 25 mm tube sounds like it will give you a fairly light frame. I used 0.8 mm on a tadpole trike and it worked well, although welding can be tricky unless you use TIG.

I'm curious to know what your target market will be. I imagine you'll be selling it with a motor rated at over 200W, so are you planning to sell it is as a licensable vehicle or just leave that up to the buyer's discretion?

Cheers
Malcolm

Hi Malcolm,

I have two options, a legal 200W ebike version with peddles and 36V10Ah. Or a registered moped version Puma 48V 30Ah.

Early stages yet, but things are moving fast !!!

Ian

[ChopperMan]

Hi All,

Here is a pic of the frame with the enclosure sitting about 4 inches to far forward. Brakes comming this weekend.... then some testing

Cheers,

Ian

[Jozzer]

Better and better Ian. The registered motorcycle version is crying out for an ETEC and a NuVinci(tm) CV hub Though you'd have to move the batts foreward a good bit...
Can't see from the pic, how wide is the battery box?

[OneEye]

The second picture posted in http://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewto ... c&start=13 gives a better perspective on the overall size of the enclosure.

[fechter]

Way cool ChopperMan!
I like it.

You might want a short mud guard on the rear wheel if it doesn't ruin the looks. I'd hate to think of my shirt or something getting sucked into the back tire, not to mention what would happen if I ran over a dog turd or something.

[deecanio]

looking very nice mate !!!!
i must look that firm up if they could build me a nice new frame with a bit more suspension
crack on mate, she's gonna be a beaut


cheers


D

[ChopperMan]

Hi D,

Yeah I am really pleased with the shape, but it fells like a real heavy weight.

I have a small rear mud guard (fender) to go on the back and I am going to fit the same tyre as I have on the back, to the front. Just need to fit a wider rim too.

The enclosure is big enough to fit 72V 20Ah of LiFeBATT!

However, as I only have some Chinese packs at present I'm going to start with 36V 20Ah. I'll be on to Mark soon about a 72V controller, it's just got to be done!

Cheers,

Ian

[recumbent]

your plan to use 0.8 mm wall, 25 mm tube sounds like it will give you a fairly light frame. I used 0.8 mm on a tadpole trike and it worked well,

For reference purposes only:
My LWB 7-1/2 foot recumbent is made with .035 wall thickness tubing, 30mm dia, cr-moly.
essensially about the same size bike frame, and feels like riding one big torsion bar suspension bike, by far the most comfortable ride ever, highly recommend crmoly for comfort, yet ridgid twist wise if you know what i mean. Good luck with the build.

[ChopperMan]

We are experimenting with 40mm stainless steel, to run a single horazontal support top and bottom, rather than the triangulated four tube arangment that is more like a motorcycle frame. The four bar is easier to build but no god for adding peddles. 25mm SS for the rear frame. Don't know the thickness of the SS but feels pretty light still and looks the absolute dogs, nice and shiny!

The first production run of five bikes is scheduled to start construction in a months time for delivery mid Jan 08. I have ordered five motors/controllers and opened a wholesale account with a bike parts distribution company.

So I have jumped in with both feet !

[deecanio]

sheeeeet mate,

jumpin right in there huh?
start watchin American chopper and stealing designs
Best of luck mate, let me know when i can quit work and come and help you out!!!


cheers Ian,


D

[Boondawg]

Hey all!
I'm a brandnew member who has been following this thread, and was hoping for an update on this project.
Any progress, tests, pictures, etc?

Thanx!