Chassis development versus power development......

[deecanio]

hehehehe, i knew you'd push me along :lol:
with all the mounting options for the engine i can see a bolt in option making the annealing etc null and void mate, wouldn't it look sweet with some cnc magic from Mr S??
i wont jump on it just yet Kim, although im mighty tempted, for a couple of reasons:

If Matt wants to get involved that would garantee a sweet finish, lets see if he'll entertain it, im sure there'd be enough takers to make 10 frames or so.
Miles hasn't commented yet :lol: he's bound to show us the problems (if any) - i take Miles approval like a blessing from the pope
it's a long way to ship to ship back for modding

in the meantime i'll run the stinker, if Matt hasn't blacklisted me for pm'ing for updates too much :lol:
i wish there were more pics of the motoped, i cant figure out if its running single speed on the pedal side??? also im hoping the dropouts/hub are standard, if so we are good to mod.

I think maybe we should start another thread for it, we've jacked Matts here.



D

 

[enoob]

Where should I focus my time?

Matt

love the video man. good stuff

seems to me like the power and drive train stuff is not your bottle neck anymore. power transfer to the ground may be though.

the trike setup dictates a dergree of static weight balance . 2 wheels is a different game

take your ability and know how to a 2 wheel setup and show folks what can be done.

trikes= niche
niche markets= big money but volatility
diversification= long term survival

so in the end it come down to what you want out of this . rather obvious trikes are a passion and turning this into your full time job may erode that passion.
but then doing what you love and making enough money to survive can be greater than anything

 

[kfong]

Yes, this frame need a thread of it's own, please start it Deecanio. The gearing from the pedals goes through a jackshaft and on to the inner chain to the rear wheel. No mention of the gearing ratio mentioned on the website. From the design it’s only one set of gears, in the build thread he was thinking “now if only I can integrate a rohloff hub into the bottom bracket” Not sure if this was something he really is planning, I’ll have to send him email to see if he put in any mounting for a rear derailleur.

 

[AussieJester]

Yes, this frame need a thread of it's own, please start it Deecanio..

nikos7 posted the motopeds info 4 days ago

http://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=17699&p=258056&hilit=motopeds#p258056

KiM

 

[mdd0127]

When I first started my frame design, I had the typical engineer's frame of mind. Use absolutely as little material possible. Make everything that can be a structural member be one, etc. Then I realized that if I built the frame in that way, I would end up with a bike that would become obsolete quickly and be very difficult to upgrade. I used to modify cars/trucks pretty extensively. One of my biggest hurdles was non standard, proprietary design. It's hard to replace the radio if the AC controls are built in. Some ECU's are very difficult/impossible to "trick" into accepting different engine mods, etc. Where the M55 may be compared to a Mercedes AMG55, I want to build the 5.0 liter mustang of ebikes.

I have decided to shift focus from building the lightest, most efficient , highest tech design to trying to focusing more on strength, reliability, ease of service, and upgradeability. The weight and efficiency can be improved once the concept has been proven. The pedal drive and CVT will be completely adapted into the frame, but the motor, controller, and batteries will live in universal enclosures. That way, when a new motor comes out, a reduction drive/mounting bracket can be made and it can bolt right in. Instead of a custom battery pack, I'm opting for a bunch of rc packs. When new packs come out, put them in the box and ride. As far as I can tell, most people, well most Americans anyway, like tough looking bikes with a bunch of suspension, even though most will never really ride hard enough to warrant it. The scooters, velo cycles, trikes, and folding bikes just aren't "cool" enough to the masses for the market to take off in the US. While they're all fun and interesting, they are limited to specific conditions. A nice full suspension bike can go all of the places that the vehicles mentioned above can go, plus, if you get the itch, you can go flying down some single track, down stairs, etc. I also haven't seen an ebike on the market that I'd be comfortable dropping. I fall down when I ride sometimes(ok a lot). Other people do to. I don't want a crash to cost my customers a ton of bike repair cash. So, if everything continues to go as planned, there should be an upgradeable, ultralight, full suspension, pedal assist, electric motorcycle frame on the market soon.

PS.
Matt,

I've been researching my butt off shopping for TIG welders. I finally settled on a Longevity WeldAll 160PI. It's a plasma/tig combo and has actually proven to be a reliable product. The company is on top of their game too. I found them on Pirate4x4.com/forums and they're getting good responses from everyone. They also give sweet discounts to pirate members. I'll post up a little review when my unit comes in.

 

[johnrobholmes]

Fellow pirate member, eh? Can't wait to see what you come up with!

 

[mwkeefer]

Matt,

Perhaps as many suggest a full susser would be best, it certainly makes the ride better (well tuned and balanced anyway and without unsprung weight)!

I personally would like to see you / us work on a from scratch folder frame design.. I can't tell you how many "poorly" engineered suspension folders I have ridden let alone ebike folders... and I seem to recall you doing a project with a Jetstream already...

A folder fits nicely into that 20" urban eBike if done properly.. and as I am sure many others have commented, in the design you should attempt to incorporate as many standard pinnings (bottom bracket from normal BMX, rear dropout sizing that will fit somthing other than the worlds thinnest tires / wheels combo) - the one company building / selling folders who seems to take this approach is Downtube and being an owner, I love it but... there are many lower end components to begin with that just arent' needed for a proper urban eBike let alone a folder and the rear sus needs a real shock and no additional unsprung weight (like a hub motor or swing arm mounted motor) and it's too heavy... you get the idea brother, the king of all folders...

The only real tricks here would be frame material and attachment/folding method... I would not take lead from downtube or dahon on this one but that's me... I want to see what you could do for e-folders.

-Mike

 

[reload]

I say chassis development at this point in time. it looks like you know how to manage the power quite nicely already :lol:.

 

[REdiculous]

yes, folding...cool!

I like my folder since the front can be completely detached by undoing the quick release and pulling the hinge-pin...

But I always thought it would be cooler if the sprocket on my frame was on the front half. Then it would be easier to turn it into a tadpole or back to normal. Not as easy to fold (chains don't bend that way) but I always break mine down to the two main pieces anyway...it stores and travels easier w/ fewer dings.

If you had a powered back-end where you could pick which front end to use a minute before you leave..that would be sick!

 

[Mark_A_W]

Dual susser hammer bike!!!


Not a crappy folder....ick...