planet.elektronenrad.de

My Life on an E-Bike

noreply@blogger.com (deacon) — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 16:46:00 +0000

sometimes my stupidity amazes even me. I changed out the motor on the chain drive bike that I thought I had burned up. I then tried several battery packs and couldn't make the new one work either. I went back tracing current in the new motor and controller. Finally I figured it out.

Of all things, the battery charger was lying to me. The green light stayed on because there was a broken wire. So I was trying to ride with a depleted battery pack. When I found that I realized that the drive system had not been destroyed after all. Of course I found it after I had changed the drive. I have the whole drive complete sitting on the floor of the shop. I think I will keep it until I come across a full suspension bike cheap. Meantime I am charging batteries and getting ready to test the bikes with lower power and less heat. I guess I can use more exercise anyway.

My Life on an E-Bike

noreply@blogger.com (deacon) — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 00:35:00 +0000

I got bored so I assembled and mounted the rhino drive. I will probably make some changes later but it's ready to go. Well after I hook up the motor leads. However I am thinking about changing it to the lower amp controller to keep the heat down. I am going to five that some more thought tonight and tomorrow.

My Life on an E-Bike

noreply@blogger.com (deacon) — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 21:48:00 +0000

Well it appears that there was a meltdown after all. The chain driven bike just got hard to ride when I headed for the lake. When I got home I found it was pretty much dragging too much to be effective. I removed it and in the process of building another rhino drive for the bike.

The rhino I have now has a controller capable of going either 24 or 36b so tomorrow, after I finish the bike I'm working on, I am going to try a 24v power supply with the bike I have ready. If I can make it work okay, I am going to set the one from the build I am doing now to run at 36v but with 25 amps which will cut down some on the heat im sure.

We shall see what it does.

Larry vs. Harry Blog: Star quality

noreply@blogger.com (Harry) — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 14:56:00 +0000

OK,maybe we haven´t been fair to the fair.Though there is a common look and attitude among the crowd at Eurobike,there are persons that´s cool and stylish.
Take a look at some of the best friends of Larry and Harry.

My Life on an E-Bike

noreply@blogger.com (deacon) — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 11:54:00 +0000

So its the morning after the big meltdown. It didn't really seem to do any damage, so today I'm going to ride it on the trail before I make any decisions. However I have always said when I piggy back those battery packs (mixed nimh and sla) the power band is different. I might put on the 25 limiting amp controller and piggy back the power source and see how the motor runs that way. I need things to occupy me anyway.

I was a little surprised to see that the power pack was still high in voltage after over a five mile use on the 12ah sla, even up and down hills. My test track is two miles of short steep hills and a long gradual one. There are a lot worse hills around town but those tend to give me a good indication of how the bike is going to perform.

Anyway today I will test the battery controller combos I expect.

Larry vs. Harry Blog: What´s wrong with Larry and harry

noreply@blogger.com (Harry) — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 07:12:00 +0000

>
Not wearing company shirts makes Larry and Harry look really strange at the fair.A black or darkblue shirt with Bullitt written on the collar would make them look like real bikedealers.
And then again they are way too childish and stupid to manage wearing that nice cloths.Take last night;a great party was held by the Eurobike organization.They had hired the Berlin act,The Bearpit Karaokee,to come and give a show.Of course Larry and Harry felt they should join the party and of course it would be polite to sing a tune or two.

Today neither Larry or Harry has any voice left from singing over twenty songs.Both had an accident with their Bullitt afterwards and ruined their exhibition-pants.Larry also bended a rib and Harry have an aching head from hitting himself with the microphone while performing his version of "My generation".
Hope I die before I get old...

Larry vs. Harry Blog: What´s wrong with the bike industry?

noreply@blogger.com (Harry) — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 06:53:00 +0000

Being at the worlds largest bikefair means that you are together with the global bike industry.A mix of businessmen who have entered this world because of their dedication to bicycles and biking.Right!Every morning and every evening the surroundings of the fairground is crowded with cars.Everyone is stocked in traffic,though this is the countryside.Well,our good friends Larry and Harry will not have to wait in line,cause they use their Bullitts for transportation.10 minuttes ride from the hotel,if you are bikeriding.By car it will take an hour!
This industry don´t give a shit if they are producing bikes,boats or bananas;as long as it´s good business.Maybe that´s why this fair is a twisted bitch with a minimum of good and new ideas.
Go grow bananas,boys!

My Life on an E-Bike

noreply@blogger.com (deacon) — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 21:32:00 +0000

Pretty sure I figured it out. The breaker didn't blow the motor over heated. I have had that happen once before with an off brand 500watt motor run at over volted. I expect that I did it again with this one. I need to go down later and make sure it will still rev up. Something about running it on the edge of pedaling caused it to overheat. I expect it was too many amps flowing through it.

I can either go back to 24v or go to a lower amp controller. I have both laying around. I think it will have slightly more balls at 36v 25amp so tomorrow I will change it out and see what happens.

My Life on an E-Bike

noreply@blogger.com (deacon) — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 18:48:00 +0000

I don't know exactly how I did it but I did. I hooked up a 12ah sla 36v pack today then piggy backed a 12ah more or less ah nimh 36v pack. I took off and I usually seem to get a little more power before it sags but today it ran five an a half miles and just quit. I figured that it was a case of the nimh prevented the sag until it just it the low voltage point. I push and pulled the bike home a half mile home then did some checking. The batteries have almost no voltage drop.

The bike stopped running because it overheated. It still had a huge power reserve and it ran once it cooled off. I have a circuit breaker in line so that's what tripped. I'm going to be doing a lot more testing of these battery packs before I draw any conclusions but this was the first time I had any overheating and also its the best the power usage has been as well.

The heat probably is the 36v through the 24v motor.

My Life on an E-Bike

noreply@blogger.com (deacon) — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 22:31:00 +0000

I took the rhino to the lake for breakfast on the patio. It was really quiet today not a single boat on the lake. However in looking across the lake we spotted the fire department dive team arrive. It looked as though the would be practice diving. It was too far away to see anything so we just left after we finished breakfast.

The bike did great. When I got back I worked on the chain drive bike. I put a bigger front end on the bike so the pedals had more ground clearance. Then I put on a bigger chain ring so I can help the bike up the hills a little better. I had to lengthen then shorten the chain to make it fit, but now it is a little better. The main thing is the bike isn't wonkie when I pedal assist. Before it was all over the road because the chain ring was too small.

I am still working on battery stuff. I would like to add a seat to my battery trailer to carry a grand kid not and then but my wife won't hear of it.

My Life on an E-Bike

noreply@blogger.com (deacon) — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 19:48:00 +0000

thanks for the encouragement Doc, but I'm no expert. I learn from my mistakes and lately most of them come from listening to other people. Not all the advice I get is bad. I get some really great advice.

In spite of all the negativity, I keep plugging away at the nimh battery pack. I have made it from aa and c cells meant for toys. If they draw current one to one, then I am approaching the critical mass. The would be the point where they would run the bike. The problem is I just don't believe these batteries have the guts of the lead acid ones. I can get to the point where the bike runs good, but can I ever get to the point that it runs as if it were running hot (right off the charger) lead acid ones.

All the guy who swear by the lithium batteries either can't or won't answer that. Does this new battery technology have the balls of the lead acid. It if is going to whimp along, even if it does the max the bike can do, then maybe I wouldn't really want it anyway. I like the feel of that surge when I kick the lead acid in he ass.

My Life on an E-Bike

noreply@blogger.com (deacon) — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 15:34:00 +0000

My wife and I were going to the store this morning so I rode to the bike trail just before we left... Big big mistake. School has started and the road were full of housewives in nightgown driving their babies to school. It was pretty awful.

The ride itself was fun but the trip down and back was pretty hairy. The bike and trailer performed flawlessly. I think I have figured out the best configuration for the rhino drive. I need a frame for a 24" bike with gears. I need to remove the rear wheel and replace it with a 20" coaster brake wheel.

The smaller wheel will do two things. It will make getting on and off the bike a thousand times easier and it will open up the rear bike frame cross bar to be used to mount the rhino drive. If I leave the dérailleur, I think I can use the front chain ring changer. If so I will have a three speed pedal assist system.

It would be ideal to have the drive hinge mounted with hinge tension bars. If I had that I could just loosen the bolts on the side tension mounts and swing the motor off the wheel in case I needed to pedal it home. Since my batteries are on a trailer I could just drop the trailer somewhere safe and come back for it in the car. I think the next version will have those features.

Larry vs. Harry Blog: Fignon 1960-2010

noreply@blogger.com (Harry) — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 14:00:00 +0000

Damn it;there went another one of the true heroes!Way too young to leave this planet and way to tuff to die,the great french bikerider,Laurent Fignon,died yesterday.
In a world where we have so many Jörg Haiders to give to The Reaper,why does he then have to take the good guys??

Laurent;Larry and Harry salute you!

Larry vs. Harry Blog: Eating

noreply@blogger.com (Harry) — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 13:44:00 +0000

As formerly explained,going to a fair is lots of action and fun.Take a bikefair;you build the booth,you assemble the bikes,you polish them,you talk to customers and you sleep.Great fun.
Oh,and then you eat!Every time you get the chance you eat;small meals,big dishes,snacks,candy,icecream etc.
The need for food is as simple as the need for sex but all you can get here is food.

Larry vs. Harry Blog: He´s not a crook!

noreply@blogger.com (Harry) — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 17:05:00 +0000

Larry and Harry has landed in Friedrichshafen!
One hour later they got lost in the forrest while trying to find their hotel.This Bavarian jungle really tried to swallow the brave danes.Well dressed (of course) on their Bullitts (of course) with a couple of very heavy suitcases they struggled through the muddy wilderness,totally lost.Poisoned leaves,mosquitoes and extremely muddy paths;lucky to be alive!
Two hours later they were watching TV and drinking german beers;life is tuff but great!

Larry vs. Harry Blog: On tour

noreply@blogger.com (Harry) — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 16:56:00 +0000

My Life on an E-Bike

noreply@blogger.com (deacon) — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 17:30:00 +0000

I wonder why it is that men think they need to keep looking for bigger and better stuff. It must be in our genes. Somebody throw me a life raft before I drown in my own gene pool.

I rode the rebuilt rhino drive to the lake just now. It ran better than the chain drive and came home with power left in the double battery pack that I have to have for the chain drive as well. It pulls the hills much better than the chain drive.

Don't get me wrong the chain drive with the 36v power supply and heavy duty controller is a fine bike. I am sure those who have that motor with the 26" wheel and gears have a better performing bike than mine. But my bike as it sits now is not nearly as good a drive system as the rhino.

I built the chain drive because I listened to a bunch of experts on a forum and their generic advice. Friction drive is the least efficient of all drives, they said. Well I'm here to tell you that is not always true. Some friction drive might be but the rhino drive is a better drive than my chain drive. My hub motor is pure crap so I make no judgments on it.

The current incarnation has the rhino motor on top of a 12 speed rear wheel. I can gear it down to creep along the bike trail for some calorie burning or wind it up in high and even then I can barely assist it on the steepest of hills. It just runs that good.

The trailer I built with the twenty inch wheels has finally gotten it's act together. The side mount is the way to go with them. When they are mounted in the center the get wonkie on me. For some reason the oscillation of the trailer makes the bike very unstable back there. I'm sure it oscillates on the side as well but the bike is hardly effected at all. I can not explain it except that the side mount is right beside the axle. Maybe that has something to do with it.

elektronenrad blog: Nabenmotor Service

Sun, 29 Aug 2010 15:11:58 +0000

Eine kleine Bildergeschichte ist im Wiki in Arbeit, sie soll genauer das Zerlegen der Nabenmotoren beschreiben.

Nabenmotor Service

Kaputte HALL Sensoren, Wasserschäden und runter gefahrene Kugellager können so behoben bzw. ausgetauscht werden.
Wer die Sache weiter unterstützen will haut auf den flattr Button zur Rechten.

My Life on an E-Bike

noreply@blogger.com (deacon) — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 17:36:00 +0000

I rode the bike trail this morning on the rhino drive bike. I also used the new twenty inch wheeled trailer. The combo does pretty darn good. It did so well that I came home to redesign the battery packs so that I could carry both sla packs on the new trailers, should I decide to go to the lake on it. I think it might be a high energy consumption bike though.

The bike and drive themselves are heavy, that might make a difference in the performance. It does pull the hills just fine though, so who knows. It was my first real world test of it. The bike requires a minor amount of right compensation but it isn't wonkie like it was before. The side mount trailer is the way to go. The center mount is truly wonkie. Why that is I have no idea.

Larry vs. Harry Blog: Larry and Harry on Tour 2010

noreply@blogger.com (Harry) — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 15:52:00 +0000

Now it´s time again!
Apparently Larry and Harry didn´t learn from history.This year they will challenge each other again and go together to the southern Germany to try to sell some Bullitts.It´s a lot like Joseph Conrad going into Congo.
Well,it´s only Bavaria but it´s scary shit....

Larry vs. Harry Blog: Larry, Harry and Facebook

noreply@blogger.com (Mikael) — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 19:32:00 +0000

If you're wondering where Larry & Harry are on Facebook, you might be confused. There's a few groups.

But here is the new and official Facebook group. Join it. you can check in, but you can never leave.

My Life on an E-Bike

noreply@blogger.com (deacon) — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 18:02:00 +0000

It took about five hours but the rhino bike is back together and appears to be in reasonable shape. I rode it and it performed better than I expected so I'm ready to run it on the trail tomorrow. I swear that is the best homemade design I have ever seen even if I did build the first one without any plans at all. I'm proud of the design.

I also redid a small light trailer to carry along on the trail ride. I need it for stability and to carry the battery pack. The big heavy trailer I built all last week, should be good for parts at least.

My Life on an E-Bike

noreply@blogger.com (deacon) — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 03:13:00 +0000

I worked on the push trailer today for a while. I got it to run a couple of times then decided that I didn't like it enough to keep it. I really want to take tomorrow and rebuild the rhino drive bike. I think I will work on getting it right and making sure it requires little to no effort to keep it right.

elektronenrad blog: Küchenradio

Wed, 25 Aug 2010 22:42:29 +0000

Das Küchenradio war in der Raumfahrtagentur zu Besuch und natürlich ging es auch reichlich um unser kleines Elektronenrad Projekt.

Link:

KR271 Raumfahrtagentur

Neuster Stunt – DocPhil ist wohl der erste Podcaster der “live” auf einem E-Bike aufzeichnet. Bei Minute 69 geht der Ritt los. – “echt feudal” :)

elektronenrad blog: Heckantrieb

Wed, 25 Aug 2010 22:28:52 +0000

Ein feines Einzelstück ist es geworden. Der Crystalyte Hinterrad Motor mit Singelspeed und Bremse.

Ein 408 mit getauschter Deckelplatte, eine kleine Sonderanfertigung die es möglich macht eine Rollenbremse auf der linken Seite des Motors zu verbauen. (Die Seite des Herstellers ist so mies, dass es nun keinen Link gibt ist eine Shimano Inter-M Rollenbremse). Auf der rechten Motorseite ist ein Singelspeed mit 16 Zähnen verbaut.

Die Achse entspricht nun leider keiner Norm mehr, der Rahmen in dem Fall eh nicht, die Schwinge hat nun einen Abstand von etwa 115mm. Nur mit ein paar abgesägten Unterlegscheiben bekommt man so den Motor (mit Anschlusskabel) in die gefederte Schwinge versenkt. Bei dem Singelspeed musste auch getrixt werden damit es sich nicht beim in die Pedale weiter auf das BSA Gewinde schneidet und blockiert. Selbes gilt auch für die Rollenbremse die noch einen kleinen Abstandshalter bekommen hat um nicht aufzusetzen.

Der klassische Weg mit dem Vorderrad Antrieb ist halt doch der einfachste… aber Stil ist Stil und den hat der Flitzer

GRACE Blog: GRACE DemoDay in Hamburg beim eBikeStore

Wed, 25 Aug 2010 18:00:07 +0000

Wo: eBikestore, Lindenplatz 1 (Haus 4), 20099 Hamburg – St. Georg

Wann: 18. September 2010 von 10.00 – 16.00 Uhr

Infos & Anfahrt: www.ebikestore.de , Phone 040 20933 2210

Anmeldungen TestDrive: demoday@grace.de

elektronenrad soup: Klapprad mit Hinterrad Antrieb. Singelspeed rechts und Shimano Nexus Rollenbremse links.

Wed, 25 Aug 2010 11:45:41 +0000

Klapprad mit Hinterrad Antrieb. Singelspeed rechts und Shimano Nexus Rollenbremse links.
Ein echtes Unikat, war auch eine Woche Arbeit bis die Achse mit Ritzel und Bremse endlich passte.

elektronenrad soup: Black is Beautiful... John Player Spezial with full Box Setup, Busch+Müller L...

Tue, 24 Aug 2010 20:42:06 +0000

Black is Beautiful... John Player Spezial with full Box Setup, Busch+Müller Light and a Tubus Fly carrier - http://bullitt-berlin.de/

My Life on an E-Bike

noreply@blogger.com (deacon) — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 16:26:00 +0000

I took a ride out to the lake this morning on my chain driven ebike. It's the one I built from parts from a mongoose electric 20" inch. I like it pretty well but frankly it needs to be at least a three speed. I think I can accomplish that by finding a 21 speed bike then removing the rear wheel but leaving all the dérailleur and crank changing parts in place. I should be able to change the gears using just the front three cranks that way.

I have it geared down so much that I have to wait until the bike is almost stopped to begin pedal assisting it.

Larry vs. Harry Blog: Do you feel lucky,punk?

noreply@blogger.com (Harry) — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 09:55:00 +0000

During the Velovisipn conference in Copenhagen a few months ago there was a goldsprint competition arranged by the magnificent Danish Bicycle Federation.All bikeshops and bikeproducers in Copenhagen were asked to donate gifts to the competition.
Larry and Harry of course wanted to show their generosity.Also they wanted to please fans,who had travelled to Copenhagen in order to see or even meet these two celebs.Therefor they decided to donate some distinguish piece of art.
As you can see on the photo,love and happiness were spread to the winners,who won the two copies of the tight and famous butts of Larry and Harry.
Congrats,you lucky winners!

My Life on an E-Bike

noreply@blogger.com (deacon) — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 14:35:00 +0000

Today I overheated a scooter motor. It is the first one that I have ever had do that. It wasn't a currie motor but a clone. I had it over volted yes and probably too many amps running through it as well, but whatever the reason, it was smoking and slipping instead of pulling.

I had been smelling something overheating for a while but it smelled like plastic so I assumed that it was the new plastic type duct tape. It probably is for the best. I am upgrading the push trailer to 20" wheels and the motor to a 600 watt currie motor with clutch. The motor that I overheated had no clutch.

I did have to order a near rear sprocket and chain break, so it will be a few days before I have it finished. The sprocket is reasonably small so the trailer is going to be more about speed than torque, but this is the system that can go on any bike so it should allow for good gearing of the bike to help it along.

I found that I miss that gear change on the ebike that I run with the curried geared bike motor. If I ever run across one of those Izip rear wheels with the six speeds I'm going to switch it out.

My Life on an E-Bike

noreply@blogger.com (deacon) — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 11:20:00 +0000

I can only imagine how riding in a hot air balloon must feel. I can remember how it was when I rode in a small bell helicopter after I got home from Vietnam. In Nam I never noticed anything except looking down on the jungle. On that bell chopper I noticed everything because compared to a huey it was a toy.

The thing I remember most was the sense that I wasn't really going up, but that the ground was falling away from me. It was really strange. I took the ride to make a picture of a cemetery for the owners.

Today I am going to the bike trail to ride a little with the new pusher trailer. I have redesigned that hitch three times now. this is the closest I have gotten to one with a serious control with just a little fishtailing. We shall see what happens.

My Life on an E-Bike

noreply@blogger.com (deacon) — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 19:06:00 +0000

thats the best offer I have had ........ever..

I rode the pusher bike this afternoon. I think I have the tilt and swing pretty much under control, but it doesn't ride like a bike I think it rides more like a trike. The small weight shifts I make riding a bike to handle minor balance changes are impossible with the pusher. So I think it will take a little getting used to.

well about the ugly welds, I wore out a light weight grinder in about a year. I bought a heavy duty angle grinder this time. So I can pretty much clean the welds up, so that the blobs of metal don't interfere with movements.

I have become the neighborhood bike fixer. It's kind of cool but I do worry that the kids parents might misunderstand. Still a kid with a bike that he can't ride is sad. I do it so that my wife is around or other kids so that there is no question. Too much evil in this world.

I can remember when I was in photo school. One of the assignments was to go to the park to make pictures of kids on the jungle gyms and swings. I would bet a hundred bucks that isn't an assignment any more. Maybe in high school but not grown up education.

Now that I have the trailer working, I want to see about the best size and look for it. I would kind of like it to look like a civil war caisson sort of thing. That won't happen with this propulsion system. If I ever build one using my axle motor mount I could do that. Those actually are the best motors and mounts for this project.

My Life on an E-Bike

noreply@blogger.com (deacon) — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 16:24:00 +0000

Hot air balloon now I am jealous.... I rode out to the lake today just to see if I could. It was a great ride and the battery pack I put together last night seemed to do quite well.

The darn thing will be charging all day though I expect. Since one pack is 12ah and one is 17ah I am going to check the 12 hour pack earlier if I can remember. I really am enjoying the playing with the darn thing.

Oh yeah I met a gentleman on the bike trail the other day. He saw some of my piss poor welding and gave me a tip. His tip worked like gangbusters. My welds actually hold now. The still look like hell but that is okay. I just want them to stay together.

My Life on an E-Bike

noreply@blogger.com (deacon) — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 13:52:00 +0000

Thanks Doc, but I honestly didn't know I needed them since I had no idea they made them that large. I have seen huge wing nuts used to tie spare tires down but never gave it a thought for a trailer.

I am still trying to find a way to allow a little swing and tilt without the bike fishtailing. I did some welding last night just before dark. I couldn't see a thing. I expect that I will have to do it again today. Man getting old is a bitch.

I have decided that a trailer full of sla is the power supply I am most comfortable with. Those things will take a hell of a lot of abuse and still perform. I know they are heavy and their power ratio isn't great but they seem to work for me as long as I keep them up. I do need to find me a 36v charger that will charge at more than one amp though. I have some twelve amp maintainers that I like for balancing batteries but to charge after a ride I like the 36v if it had about 3 or 4 amp input. I think that spread out over several batteries in the back is not so much to over charge them.

elektronenrad blog: elektronenrad trac/wiki frei zum flattrn

Sat, 21 Aug 2010 10:54:35 +0000

Das elektronenrad Wiki ist nun ein Thing bei flattr. Wer unsere Arbeit unterstützen will, kann hier einmal im Monat klicken.

Weitere Artikel, Howtos und von uns zusammengestellte Datenblätter werden hinzukommen.

Helft mit dem Wiki wieder mehr Leben zu geben, wir haben hier nach 2 weiteren Jahren noch einiges an Information angesammelt die dringend in das öffentliche System eingepflegt werden müssen.

GRACE Blog: GRACE auf der Intermot in Köln

Sat, 21 Aug 2010 04:56:27 +0000

Wo: Auf der INTERMOT Messe in Köln

Stände: Testparcour Halle 5.2 Gang B Nr.: 024 & Halle 5.2 Gang B Nr.: 065

Wann: 06.-10.Oktober 2010

Infos & Anfahrt: www.intermot.de

Anmeldungen TestDrive: demoday@grace.de

GRACE Blog: GRACE auf der CLEAN TECH WORLD in Berlin

Sat, 21 Aug 2010 04:43:54 +0000

Wo: Auf der CLEAN TECH WORLD in Berlin auf dem Flughafen Tempelhof

Stand: Bereich Clean Mobility

Wann: 15.-19.September 2010

Infos & Anfahrt: www.cleantech-award.de

Anmeldungen TestDrive: demoday@grace.de

Larry vs. Harry Blog: Toronto Bites Our Bullitt

noreply@blogger.com (Mikael) — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 17:38:00 +0000

Thanks to Kate for this photo from Toronto!

"Good tidings from Toronto. I just thought I would send you a photo of this sexy red Bullitt parked in Canada's only Bicycle Station! It is a frequent parker here, can't wait until we see more of its kind!"

My Life on an E-Bike

noreply@blogger.com (deacon) — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 15:11:00 +0000

I was in home depot yesterday to get some duct tape and wiring stuff. While there I found some wing nuts. I had no idea they made a 3/8" wing nut. It should make hooking the trailer a lot easier since it is hard to get a wrench into the trailer hitch area.

Just something new I learned. I do a lot of new thing learning since I started to build bikes. I think I am going to tray taking the trailer to the park, dropping it an then seeing how far I can ride the bike along the trail. Since there is nothing on the bike itself, it should be pretty easy to pedal. The trail is more or less flat, but only a ride can tell how flat it really is. I might try that soon.

My Life on an E-Bike

noreply@blogger.com (deacon) — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 16:26:00 +0000

I went back to the trailer. The friction drive worked just fine but I would have had to strip the electronics from the pusher to get it back to where it used to be. I wasn't quite finished with the pusher yet.

Doc the problem with the trailer seems to be in the hitch. For the bike to handle normaly the trailer has to swing and tilt. And a pull trailer does that very well, the problem comes in when the trailer is powered I think. It it pushes the bike even a little while out of line the rear of the bike takes off and it all begins to fishtail.

When I built the bobtail pusher I didn't have the problem but it was almost impossible to make a right turn. However balance of the bike wasn't an issue since the trailer was always in line with the rear wheel. When the bike leaned the rear wheel leaned. With the two wheel trailer such is not the case.

I have tried several hitch designs and now it is getting closer. The latest incarnation of the hitch is a three point hitch. The main connection more or less lines up with the rear wheel of the bike. then there are two secondary connections from each corner of the trailer to a point farther up the hitch. The hitch is actually a frame that encloses the rear bike wheel. So far it allows for some lean of the bike, which helps with control. It does not allow for very much swing which seems to help. I'm going to keep testing it to see if I can just get used to the way it handles.

I build this one from a ebike I bought off craigs list but they would be easier to build from a 16" bike using both wheels and just weld a #25 sprocket over the bike sprocket so that you could take advantage of the freewheel already in place. I have a couple of motors and mounts that attach to the bile axle and that would work great. It's how I build the bobtail pushers.

My Life on an E-Bike

noreply@blogger.com (deacon) — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 18:14:00 +0000

I pulled the trailer off the bike and went back with my friction drive unit. I was never able to tame that trailer. I might go back to it or do something else with it but I just don't know right now.

GRACE Blog: GRACE Live auf der Eurobike in Friedrichshafen

Mon, 16 Aug 2010 09:20:37 +0000

Wo: Eurobike Demoday, Argenbühl im Allgäu

Wann: 31. August 2010, 10:00 bis 17:00 Uhr

Anmeldungen Dealer & TestDrive: demoday@grace.de

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Wo: Messe Eurobike in Friedrichshafen, Stand-Nr.: A2-202

Wann: 01. – 04- September 2010

Infos & Anfahrt: www.eurobike-show.de

My Life on an E-Bike: another day

noreply@blogger.com (deacon) — Sun, 15 Aug 2010 16:48:00 +0000

I redid the trailer connection to the bike and it does much better. I piggy backed a 12 ah nimh battery pack onto the sla pack I have and it did nothing detectable with the meter. Since it did draw down amps they are going somewhere so I'm going to keep fooling around with them.

Tomorrow I am going to ride the bike down the bike trail if the weather cooperates.

My Life on an E-Bike

noreply@blogger.com (deacon) — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 19:30:00 +0000

I finished the complete power assist trailer build today. Actually it's a lot like victory in Iraq it is finished but I'm sure a lot of adjustments will be required. I has everything mounted in the trailer. The only thing that runs to the bike is the throttle. I will eventually add a emergency kill switch as well.

I rode the bike. The trailer has to be secured so that it is rigid. Which makes it a lot like a tricycle. You aren't going to have a lot of maneuverability but it is possible to ride it quite comfortably. I plan to take it trail riding as soon as I test the battery pack tomorrow. I have a reading for two miles with just the sla pack. I want to add a nimh pack as well and read the battery results.

Larry vs. Harry Blog: Pink and famous

noreply@blogger.com (Harry) — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 17:23:00 +0000

Hey,Larry and Harry had a Bullitt displayed at a museum in Tokyo.Of all Bullitts available it had to be the pink!
Thank´s Japan,for only accepting the most crazy stuff.

My Life on an E-Bike

noreply@blogger.com (deacon) — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 21:10:00 +0000

at least I'm getting closer to having the bike trailer running. It is actually running fine. The problem is in the tracking. If I get it a hundred percent stable it is impossible to turn or maneuver. However if I leave it loose it is like a death trap. It causes the rear end of the bike to shimmy dangerously. I am about at the compromise point now. The trailer itself does it's job quite well it seems.

elektronenrad soup: via larryvsharry

Fri, 13 Aug 2010 13:30:26 +0000

via larryvsharry
so right, so fast.

Von diesem roten Feuerwehrfahrrad träum ich schon lange, 100 Euro Rabatt für den ersten der das Schiff so bei mir bestellt. -> http://bullitt-berlin.de/

Larry vs. Harry Blog: So This Century...

noreply@blogger.com (Mikael) — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 10:13:00 +0000

Chariot of fire for the new millenium.

50cycles

noreply@blogger.com (Scott 50cycles) — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 13:37:50 +0000

http://findarticles.com/p/news-articles/leicester-mercury/mi_8142/is_20100806/online-bike-firm-plans-stores/ai_n54704092/Online bike firm plans four stores 0 Comments | Leicester Mercury, Aug 6, 2010 | by IAN GRIFFIN  The UK's leading online electric bicycle specialist plans to launch four new stores as

50cycles

noreply@blogger.com (Scott 50cycles) — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 13:04:59 +0000

HiThis is a new report done by Radio Leicester today.CheersScott

My Life on an E-Bike

noreply@blogger.com (deacon) — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 20:12:00 +0000

I tried everything with that craigs list bike. It is just too hinky, so I decided to junk it for parts. Then I decided to use them to build a pusher trailer. I am going to build it capable of being self contained with just a throttle on the bike. I doubt that I will rig it that way, but it will be an option. I have the trailer built but I am modifying it. It is going to end up being a bob trailer with it's own sidecar. for the batteries. the drive wheel will be in line with the rear bike wheel and the side wheel will stick out on the traffic side. I will call it the suicide trailer since most likely an auto will hit the sidecar while trying to pass me in the middle of oncoming traffic.

Bakfiets totaal: Amsterdam - das Fahrrad ist omnipräsent ...

svroo@bluewin.ch (Dutchie) — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 06:53:00 +0000

August 2010 _ Amsterdam ist (neben Kopenhagen) europaweit wohl die einzige Metropole mit einer derart hohen Kindertransport-Dichte. Auf diesem Foto sind zu sehen: Bakfietsen (kurze und lange Versionen), Bakfiets Biporteur, Christiana Trike, Fishbox-Bike, Sparta PickUp, Kronan Bike, Kindersitze fast überall.
Foto © Lukas Göbel / Volkskrant NL

My Life on an E-Bike

noreply@blogger.com (deacon) — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 00:17:00 +0000

I have made a heck of a lot of small corrections to the bike, it was in awful shape. I can ride it pedaling but the bike is very unstable with the trailer. I am trying to remount the trailer. Instead of the side mount, I'm going to try to mount it from the seat post. I have no idea if it will help or not. But I am afraid of the bike without some kind of stability.

My Life on an E-Bike

noreply@blogger.com (deacon) — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 19:54:00 +0000

I keep finding little things on the new bike to fix but it is a nice fast little bike even at 16" wheels. Kicking it up to 36v is the reason I'm sure. My issue now is control. The bike is not stable. I hope it was the trailer I built to pull the batteries. I have redone the tongue so maybe that will help who knows

My Life on an E-Bike

noreply@blogger.com (deacon) — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 23:48:00 +0000

I bought an ebike today. I was looking over craigs list and saw one in my town. It was a trail bike. The guy tried to tell me put a new battery in it and it will take right off. I didn't believe him for a minute. I paid 25 bucks for it. I converted it from 24v to 36v with a new controller. I couldn't get the old one to work. I wouldn't have a 24v bike anyway. Tomorrow I will try it out with a light load in the trailer from the rhino. I took it apart because it was an energy hog.

I am going to build a light weight trailer tomorrow for the new bike, if it seems to do okay with those little 16" wheels. I noticed that some of the new factory ebikes have them so I'm not too concerned. Jacking it up to 36v should help out some as well. I'll give it a test tomorrow and let you know.

I also had to put a new brake handle on the bike. It had seen some rough times. Still the frame is big so it should do okay.

My Life on an E-Bike

noreply@blogger.com (deacon) — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 22:18:00 +0000

I piggy backed the new 12ah set with the old 17ah set and tossed in a nimh 12ah set for good measure. Then I headed for the lake. I have never been able to to do that without dragging home at the end but not today. Today it sailed through it with battery power to spare. I did it on the chain drive bike. I tried the rhino this afternoon on the bike trail and found that I had misadjusted it again, I need to test it a few times before I head out that far. Also I need a light weight trailer for it. The one I have is too heavy I think. I think tomorrow I will ride it to home depot and look for some light weight materials.

Larry vs. Harry Blog: Shocking news!

noreply@blogger.com (Harry) — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 13:31:00 +0000

After knowing Mikael from Copenhagenize for a couple of years,we thought that we knew all his secrets.Now we realize that we were wrong.A norwegian friend of Larry and Harry,who wants to be anonymous,mailed us this link.It´s from a cover of a danish magazine and tells the story about Mikaels secret habits.
Do I have to say we are shocked!?

My Life on an E-Bike

noreply@blogger.com (deacon) — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 23:13:00 +0000

The batteries arrived and I got them wired and setup to go. Now I just need them to get charged overnight, then I'm going to load up three sets and take off for the lake. I am going to ride nice and slowly but I'm definitely going to the lake.

I tried out the rhino after all the repairs and got terrible range. I had the tension too tight I"m pretty sure so I redid the supports and tomorrow I might get a chance to check it out. If not for sure next week sometime they will be finished with the trail I'm told.

My Life on an E-Bike

noreply@blogger.com (deacon) — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 12:40:00 +0000

I have a new set of sla batteries on ups truck now. When they arrive I have to wire them up in a pack then charge them over night I suppose. I have yet to decide how to use them. I will have to just wing it I suppose.