Velo: Thus far, thus bonkers
#76
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I found some trailer springs that were 1-3/4 inches across. I can work with this. I'm thinking of I'm thinking of using one of these for the rear transverse springs, and removing most of the leaves to make it softer and lighter.. I looked up how to soften leaf springs, and apparently removing the shortest leaves will do the trick.
Someone suggested a swing axle setup for the front, and I think I'll go with that. I know these are just asking for trouble at high speed--but I'm not going to be going THAT fast.
There is one other reason I want suspension: Some of the businesses in my town have driveways that meet the road at quite the slope, so either I'd have to make sure I was completely out of the driveway before turning (leaving me way out in traffic) or end up on 2 or 3 wheels momentarily (with major torsion stress to the frame) as I turn out of the parking lot.
UPDATE: The gentleman who built the Nephew of Fantom told me that his ride weights about 83 kilograms, or 182 lbs. That does, however, include an electric assist system, which mine won't have.
UPDATE 2: I'm lengthening the nose and rear by 6 inches each for better aerodynamics. I'll still look at that kayak skin you suggested, squirtdad. I found a video on it, and see how it hardens, and how sturdy it is. Maybe I could even use it for the floor. Can you use Tremclad paint on it? I want to paint this medium blue (I have reasons.)
Someone suggested a swing axle setup for the front, and I think I'll go with that. I know these are just asking for trouble at high speed--but I'm not going to be going THAT fast.
There is one other reason I want suspension: Some of the businesses in my town have driveways that meet the road at quite the slope, so either I'd have to make sure I was completely out of the driveway before turning (leaving me way out in traffic) or end up on 2 or 3 wheels momentarily (with major torsion stress to the frame) as I turn out of the parking lot.
UPDATE: The gentleman who built the Nephew of Fantom told me that his ride weights about 83 kilograms, or 182 lbs. That does, however, include an electric assist system, which mine won't have.
UPDATE 2: I'm lengthening the nose and rear by 6 inches each for better aerodynamics. I'll still look at that kayak skin you suggested, squirtdad. I found a video on it, and see how it hardens, and how sturdy it is. Maybe I could even use it for the floor. Can you use Tremclad paint on it? I want to paint this medium blue (I have reasons.)
Last edited by MrInitialMan; 07-29-20 at 01:38 PM.
#77
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Another design change. I realized that where I have my front wheels would result in EXTREMELY limited turning (the wheels could deflect a maximum of 8 degrees before hitting the body). I was looking around and found inspiration in pictures of hot rods, of all places--there's a type of front transverse suspension called a Bulldog Front End in which the front spring is actually in front of the chassis altogether. Because of my wedge nose, I can get far more angle on my front wheels, so I think I'll go with that.
Last edited by MrInitialMan; 07-31-20 at 03:26 AM.
#78
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I found some trailer springs that were 1-3/4 inches across. I can work with this. I'm thinking of I'm thinking of using one of these for the rear transverse springs, and removing most of the leaves to make it softer and lighter.. I looked up how to soften leaf springs, and apparently removing the shortest leaves will do the trick.
Someone suggested a swing axle setup for the front, and I think I'll go with that. I know these are just asking for trouble at high speed--but I'm not going to be going THAT fast.
There is one other reason I want suspension: Some of the businesses in my town have driveways that meet the road at quite the slope, so either I'd have to make sure I was completely out of the driveway before turning (leaving me way out in traffic) or end up on 2 or 3 wheels momentarily (with major torsion stress to the frame) as I turn out of the parking lot.
UPDATE: The gentleman who built the Nephew of Fantom told me that his ride weights about 83 kilograms, or 182 lbs. That does, however, include an electric assist system, which mine won't have.
UPDATE 2: I'm lengthening the nose and rear by 6 inches each for better aerodynamics. I'll still look at that kayak skin you suggested, squirtdad. I found a video on it, and see how it hardens, and how sturdy it is. Maybe I could even use it for the floor. Can you use Tremclad paint on it? I want to paint this medium blue (I have reasons.)
Someone suggested a swing axle setup for the front, and I think I'll go with that. I know these are just asking for trouble at high speed--but I'm not going to be going THAT fast.
There is one other reason I want suspension: Some of the businesses in my town have driveways that meet the road at quite the slope, so either I'd have to make sure I was completely out of the driveway before turning (leaving me way out in traffic) or end up on 2 or 3 wheels momentarily (with major torsion stress to the frame) as I turn out of the parking lot.
UPDATE: The gentleman who built the Nephew of Fantom told me that his ride weights about 83 kilograms, or 182 lbs. That does, however, include an electric assist system, which mine won't have.
UPDATE 2: I'm lengthening the nose and rear by 6 inches each for better aerodynamics. I'll still look at that kayak skin you suggested, squirtdad. I found a video on it, and see how it hardens, and how sturdy it is. Maybe I could even use it for the floor. Can you use Tremclad paint on it? I want to paint this medium blue (I have reasons.)
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Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can
(looking for Torpado Super light frame/fork or for Raleigh International frame fork 58cm)
Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can
(looking for Torpado Super light frame/fork or for Raleigh International frame fork 58cm)
#79
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Tremclad is a brand my dad used to paint his sheep handling equipment way back in the day--medium blue, to be exact. So, I hope to paint my velo the same colour.
And now that I know how much that velo weighs, I got an idea of how much mine should weigh.
Also, Rhoades Cars apparently weigh in the 100 lbs. vicinity as well.
UPDATE: I think I've hosed myself with buying that rear differential. Are 36-hole rims really niche? because those are the hubs I have.
And now that I know how much that velo weighs, I got an idea of how much mine should weigh.
Also, Rhoades Cars apparently weigh in the 100 lbs. vicinity as well.
UPDATE: I think I've hosed myself with buying that rear differential. Are 36-hole rims really niche? because those are the hubs I have.
Last edited by MrInitialMan; 08-09-20 at 06:09 AM. Reason: #1: Had a wrong word ("works" should have been "weighs") #2: Update after visit to local bike shop.
#80
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For some ideas, google- Don potts my first car
left me gobsmacked as a kid.
left me gobsmacked as a kid.
#81
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may be of interest diy recumbent plans https://www.atomiczombie.com/
check out the
check out the
TriCruiser Winter Trike
LodeRunner Utility Trike
StreetFox Tadpole Trike
TimberWolf USS Trike
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Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can
(looking for Torpado Super light frame/fork or for Raleigh International frame fork 58cm)
Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can
(looking for Torpado Super light frame/fork or for Raleigh International frame fork 58cm)
Last edited by squirtdad; 08-20-20 at 03:57 PM.
#83
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After a few years, an update.
So, I abandoned this project for a while, due to depression and dissatisfaction at how this was going.
*Sighs* I've lost access to the shop I was going to build this in. My dad, who was going to do the welding, cannot weld anymore anyways. I don't think this thing will ever be built.
So, I abandoned this project for a while, due to depression and dissatisfaction at how this was going.
*Sighs* I've lost access to the shop I was going to build this in. My dad, who was going to do the welding, cannot weld anymore anyways. I don't think this thing will ever be built.
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Thanks for checking back in, even if it's not good news. Sorry about your dad and your shop access.
#85
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hang in there. Hope you find other, simpler projects to bring you some joy.
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I also thank you for the update. I hope there will be more follow up as life and karma play out. My passions are hands on metal stuff, been this way since I got my Dad's old Erector Set as a child. When I had my bike shop a lot of this had to be placed on a back burner. I learned to come up with small projects that might only take an hour or three spread over a few weeks to keep my creative juices from completely drying up. Please don't stop trying to make stuff. Andy
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#87
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I've resumed work on the design. My goals have not changed it:
- Weather Shell
- Cargo space (thus the big size)
- Stability (thus the four wheels)
- Comfy ride, including some protection against often rough roads.(thus the suspension)
- Weather Shell
- Cargo space (thus the big size)
- Stability (thus the four wheels)
- Comfy ride, including some protection against often rough roads.(thus the suspension)
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Bit of an update---with what I'm going with, the frame weighs almost 83 lbs thus far. >_<
I know I need to lighten it A LOT, but whenever I think of going with no suspension, I think of that video where the velo frame broke on an icy, bumpy road, and I'm also thinking of how painful a broken tailbone would be.
Oh, I know Fat Tyres exist. They are HORRIBLE for pedalling, in my opinion.
I know I need to lighten it A LOT, but whenever I think of going with no suspension, I think of that video where the velo frame broke on an icy, bumpy road, and I'm also thinking of how painful a broken tailbone would be.
Oh, I know Fat Tyres exist. They are HORRIBLE for pedalling, in my opinion.
Last edited by MrInitialMan; 05-06-23 at 10:18 PM.
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#89
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I think it is the 90's era Corvette that used fibre glass leaf springs. Weight was considerably less than steel. May be a viable option for you provided a live axle design is possible, or is you can design an independent design around the leaf spring design. Older motorcycles had them on the front, BMW comes to mind right away, but there were others.
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If by fat tyres you mean the ultra-wide tires on so-called "fat bikes" then yeah, maybe there aren't any on the market that are fast-rolling. I don't know, never got interested in those bikes. I'm talking about tires up to say 60 mm, not twice that.
Mark B
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I meant the tyres on fat bikes. The rolling resistance was that of a soft tyre multiplied by the increased size.
Also the weight I cited did not include the springs. Those would have been a few more pounds.
Also the weight I cited did not include the springs. Those would have been a few more pounds.
Last edited by MrInitialMan; 05-07-23 at 06:33 PM.
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I think it is the 90's era Corvette that used fibre glass leaf springs. Weight was considerably less than steel. May be a viable option for you provided a live axle design is possible, or is you can design an independent design around the leaf spring design. Older motorcycles had them on the front, BMW comes to mind right away, but there were others.
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maybe something like this https://ferlafamilybikes.com/product...o-bike-inspire has covers and such https://ferlafamilybikes.com/product...ssories-bundle
I recall you want to be covered, but you can get some really nice rain/cold clothes and inside or not nothing is going to be warm at 40 below (says the montana guy who grew up watching Lethbridge TV, and is always on the lookout for Old Dutch potato chips)
I recall you want to be covered, but you can get some really nice rain/cold clothes and inside or not nothing is going to be warm at 40 below (says the montana guy who grew up watching Lethbridge TV, and is always on the lookout for Old Dutch potato chips)
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Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can
(looking for Torpado Super light frame/fork or for Raleigh International frame fork 58cm)
Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can
(looking for Torpado Super light frame/fork or for Raleigh International frame fork 58cm)
#94
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There is no such thing as a four-wheeled e-bike in Canada; power-assisted bicycles are described under Canada's Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations (C.R.C., c. 1038) as (amongst other things) " is designed to travel on not more than three wheels in contact with the ground."
A four-wheeled vehicle with a motor of any kind is a passenger car and subject to all regulations thereof. This is what I got from the Alberta DOT, and that's a can of worms I do NOT want to open.
By the way, do you guys think that in the floor frame I could get away with 1x1" and 1x2" 18-gauge tubing? That drops the weight of the floor frame down to 44 lbs. Even 16-guage brings it down to 58.
Or maybe even 1/8th" wall aluminum tubing of the same size?
A four-wheeled vehicle with a motor of any kind is a passenger car and subject to all regulations thereof. This is what I got from the Alberta DOT, and that's a can of worms I do NOT want to open.
By the way, do you guys think that in the floor frame I could get away with 1x1" and 1x2" 18-gauge tubing? That drops the weight of the floor frame down to 44 lbs. Even 16-guage brings it down to 58.
Or maybe even 1/8th" wall aluminum tubing of the same size?
Plus how do you (here I mean the OP) manage climbing versus descending? Do you have a multispeed transmission or is it essentially a fixed gear?
Seems like it would be nice if you were Henry Ford. Are you?
Last edited by Road Fan; 06-05-23 at 04:12 PM.
#95
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I'm guessing very few of us here have designed or fabricated an example of a steered quad cycle (beyond perhaps tiller steering) much less one with tie rod steering and with a front suspension on a frame which does not itself flex to provide the suspension. But that little Fantom thing in the YouTube is an example. Can't you take its frame design as an example of how stout you need your frame tubes to be or scale up or down from it? Some of us here have some background in design and night be able to help you scale up to the next size, or downward.
Plus how do you (here I mean the OP) manage climbing versus descending? Do you have a multispeed transmission or is it essentially a fixed gear?
Seems like it would be nice if you were Henry Ford. Are you?
Plus how do you (here I mean the OP) manage climbing versus descending? Do you have a multispeed transmission or is it essentially a fixed gear?
Seems like it would be nice if you were Henry Ford. Are you?
So, this is my latest incarnation of this impending disaster.
https://mrinitialman.com/CycleVan/Cyc...van2023.sxhtml
#96
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"Brittle metal"- Steel usually gets this way from either overheating the joints (weld/brazing) or from fatigue building up over many cycles of stress. So that vid was of a poorly made or poorly designed structure. Andy
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maybe something like this https://ferlafamilybikes.com/product...o-bike-inspire has covers and such https://ferlafamilybikes.com/product...ssories-bundle
I recall you want to be covered, but you can get some really nice rain/cold clothes and inside or not nothing is going to be warm at 40 below (says the montana guy who grew up watching Lethbridge TV, and is always on the lookout for Old Dutch potato chips)
I recall you want to be covered, but you can get some really nice rain/cold clothes and inside or not nothing is going to be warm at 40 below (says the montana guy who grew up watching Lethbridge TV, and is always on the lookout for Old Dutch potato chips)