October 25, 201114 yr Author Well , today was my first attempt to commute. Some, may say, this was a bit optimistic and perhaps too ambitious. But, its done. I tried and there are alot of things to report but before I go into that I need to get this out of the way - an unplanned crash test! showing what happens when you have a front wheel blowout on a recumbent at 41.6 mph! ... What possessed me to go this fast I have no idea. If I had been sensible I could have avoided this crash and I would have made it all the way to work. I would have been able to report a successful commute ... what was I thinking? ... not for the first time .. I wasn't .... Edited October 25, 201114 yr by kitchenman
October 25, 201114 yr The main thing is that you are ok and have lived another day to commute in. I am sure you will get there in the end. Wow over 40 mph and there was my thinking going 17-18mph on my new project was scary Regards Jerry Edited October 25, 201114 yr by jerrysimon
October 25, 201114 yr Author Thanks Jerry. I'm fine and who knows I might learn from this latest episode. A tree had come down which obviously results in debris which I chose to ignore. I saw a gap and went from it and then got clobbered by the All Blacks back row! (I used to be a fly half ) ... I am interesting to learn about your new project. One think I need to sort out is the gearing which is no good currently for getting up severe hills. Fortunately I fitted a twin chainring and am using the bigger ring currently. Would I be right in thinking that I will get better hill perfomance by switching to the smaller chain ring?
October 25, 201114 yr Hi Looks a good conversion see the crash video I see you are wearing a proper crash helmet at 40 MPH It could have been very serious Well done Frank
October 25, 201114 yr Author Damage Report. I am pleased to say that the Stoke Monkey metal work has stood up well. i.e the motor hasn't fallen off or become damaged. The brake sensor and the speed sensor were severed so I will need to sort that out before I can cycle home! ... the bike itself ... the main chainrings were knocked out of true and needed to be adjusted which I have done. The handlebars are out of true and possibly bent. Shouldn't stop me riding though. The handling will just be a bit ... odd ... and then theres the puncture to sort out. I did fix it after the accident and rode another mile or so until the front tyre deflated ... so, its likely that I have left something in the tyre ..
October 25, 201114 yr Author Hi Looks a good conversion see the crash video I see you are wearing a proper crash helmet at 40 MPH It could have been very serious Well done Frank Thanks Frank. Yes. I think the conversion is going to be a success. Once I'm up and running again I'll do a video tour to show what I have done.. I could use some advice regarding the gearing ... Also, the metal fork plates I am using might be a bit OTT! - not sure what the bike weighs but I'm guessing it 25kgs +
October 25, 201114 yr I don't think weight should be that much of an issue. You gain on being low to the ground and air resistance is a much greater force of drag when travelling quick. Nice crash - Glad your alright and I hope you get it all fixed. I know you will you little grease monkey!
October 25, 201114 yr Author I don't think weight should be that much of an issue. You gain on being low to the ground and air resistance is a much greater force of drag when travelling quick. Nice crash - Glad your alright and I hope you get it all fixed. I know you will you little grease monkey! Thanks. Fixed the sensors. But the tyre is torn! .. quite how I missed that when I inspected it the first time I dont know! ... I've got some MPs on order so will wait for them. Left the bike on the floor of a friends garage who gave me a lift home in his car Sad end to an interesting day.
October 25, 201114 yr Author Regarding the performance of the Tongxin during today's ride. I used mainly high speed mode (the cytronex set up gives you high or low speed) .. and tried to keep high revs. However, I was unable to do this on the most severe hill and had to switch to low speed and 2nd gear in order to get up the hill! and that was with alot of puffin and blowin. On the less severe hills I managed ok but now and again my revs dropped and I could hear the Tongxin under stress. There was a repeditive clicking noise which would diminish once I had increased the revs again I hope this is to be expected! Bear in mind that this is the same Tongxin that fell off the roof of my car and has cycled across sandy beaches and probably could use a good service.
October 26, 201114 yr Author Well , today was my first attempt to commute. Some, may say, this was a bit optimistic and perhaps too ambitious. But, its done. I tried and there are alot of things to report but before I go into that I need to get this out of the way - an unplanned crash test! showing what happens when you have a front wheel blowout on a recumbent at 41.6 mph! ... What possessed me to go this fast I have no idea. If I had been sensible I could have avoided this crash and I would have made it all the way to work. I would have been able to report a successful commute ... what was I thinking? ... not for the first time .. I wasn't .... And the rear view which shows the tree in the road:
October 26, 201114 yr Excellently captured on film. I couldn't understand what happened before, but now I can see how unlucky you were. Hope you get your bike fixed soon and I'm glad that you're OK.
October 26, 201114 yr Yes, glad you are OK, BTW if you intend on going at such speeds again I'd suggest some protective sunglasses or goggles...
October 26, 201114 yr Author Excellently captured on film. I couldn't understand what happened before, but now I can see how unlucky you were. Hope you get your bike fixed soon and I'm glad that you're OK. Thanks. I am pleased that the cameras worked under those conditions and are still working ok - for the next calamity! ..My front tyre was ripped so have just picked up a 20" MP from LBS (last one they had in he shop) .. so, should be attempting my next commute tomorrow ... think I'll wrap my elbow in some neoprene jic! ... I also picked up another DMR/STS chain wheel so I should be able to get rid of the some of the hose pipe and masking tape. - going to switch to the smaller chainring in the hope that I'll be able to get up Beech Hill a bit easier this time! ..
October 26, 201114 yr Author Yes, glad you are OK, BTW if you intend on going at such speeds again I'd suggest some protective sunglasses or goggles... I was "wearing" them around my neck! ... they were misting up and annoying me - probably because I was a bit stressed what with it being my maiden voyage ... no excuse I know ... better a bit of misting then a foreign object in my eye.
October 26, 201114 yr Jesus Alan that was some pace you where going. That second video puts it more in perspective. Proud of that one!
October 26, 201114 yr Stunning bit of speed Alan, interesting to see what the recumbent is capable of. Presumably that was downhill?
October 27, 201114 yr Author Stunning bit of speed Alan, interesting to see what the recumbent is capable of. Presumably that was downhill? Yes! I'm not an American! ... I'm hoping to get a good performance out of my 175 rpm Tongxin but if I do persist with the SM (stokemonkey) - funny that I have a SM on a SM (streetmachine) .. ... if I do persist then I expect I will need to up the rpms ... but for me its all about configuring the bike for my commute .. which means conquering Beech Hill ...
October 27, 201114 yr Author This is interesting ... because I have "fork plates" with a particular very basic shape (I was thinking about making it lighter and more sexy ...cutting bits away , drilling holes, etc ... ) I can use it to balance on a office stool: [ATTACH]2843.vB[/ATTACH] Now.. if I add some telescopic legs I have a travelling bike stand which would be brilliant. when I had THAT puncture I had to lay the bike down on its side to do the repair ...
October 28, 201114 yr Author Concentrated on the gearing last night and moved the chain to the smaller chainring. 48T to 36T. Had to remove some more links and improve the arms of my chainwheels and move the motor slightly to avoid some chain rubbing ... and then a midnight test ride around Alton including a hill this time! ... was noticably better. Much improved torgue and motor performance. This morning I sat looking at the bike with its bent handlebar, supped some tea and pondered and then snapped out of it and decided to try again! ... So glad I did, had an excellent cycle to work. No messing about this time. No cameras. No photos ... well, except this one which emphasizes my need to make use of things .. in this case a disguarded bit of plastic from a Ultra Motor Fast4ward ... [ATTACH]2847.vB[/ATTACH] Here is a photo of the new chainwheel config: [ATTACH]2849.vB[/ATTACH] Edited October 28, 201114 yr by kitchenman
October 28, 201114 yr Author Here are some photos that I uploaded to picasaweb: https://picasaweb.google.com/112884368251940495642/StreetMachineElectricConversion?authkey=Gv1sRgCKKNn9mU6LKtRA# p.s. this is mainly from funkylyn who wants to know how to share her picasaweb photos!
October 28, 201114 yr Here are some photos that I uploaded to picasaweb: https://picasaweb.google.com/112884368251940495642/StreetMachineElectricConversion?authkey=Gv1sRgCKKNn9mU6LKtRA# p.s. this is mainly from funkylyn who wants to know how to share her picasaweb photos! Great photos Alan.......but HOW ??????? Lynda PS.....your PM box is FULL !
October 28, 201114 yr Author One of the things I am concerned about although the evidence suggests that I needn't be ... is my use of the drive side wheel nut. As I have very little axel to screw onto the wheel nut is almost not attached. In fact you could remove it altogether and there would be no difference. My conclusion is that its not needed. I suspect that because I am using slotted "drop ins" the axel isn't going anywhere so I dont need the wheel nuts? Here is a photo: [ATTACH]2848.vB[/ATTACH]
October 28, 201114 yr It wouldnt do any harm to keep them. I would just to be extra safe. Its hardly like they take up much extra weight...
October 28, 201114 yr Author Another thing that happened this morning is I ran out of battery! ... which is interesting.. suggesting that the motor is not reaching that point where it can generate 36 volts? .. Does this mean that I need yet a smaller chainwheel? Or I suppose a smaller sprocket? - I think for now I'll just use 2 batteries as I have them and enjoy that extra assist a little longer! ..
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