Thanks guys.
I've been inspired by many of you and am glad to give some back to the community.
gknowes said:
It's the Topeak Defender XC1, made for suspension forks, with some paint I added of course. $32 from
http://www.UniversalCycles.com. A good company to deal with, by the way, fast service, good communication, and multiple US warehouses make for fast ship times (select the one closest to you that has your product in stock.)(if you're in the US, of course, though I believe they ship internationally.)
pwd said:
Seems like it has a hefty amount of power too.
Acceleration with the MAC is not bad at all with a 40a controller. I think the bike is begging for a C-lyte or Cromotor and 72v though. (Cromoly Cromotor Commuter? :lol: )
... when the budget allows.
Dark Knight said:
Shame you couldn't get some sort of rear suspension to work but as a mainly road commuter shouldn't be a problem...seat looks comfy enough.
Don't forget the Big Apples! (35psi) They help, and along with the long wheelbase even the bumpity-bump hard-pack is not bad. The suspension and moto solo seat are not abandoned, however. I feel this one taught me the lesson "If you want something done right, you have to do it yourself." Alignment issues plagued me with the first few welders I paid, shade-tree mechanic style. Low price=low quality/low care for the end result. Although, in the end I was the one who made the final f-up on the suspension mounts. I have the materials in the shop for the next build, (along with a recumbent frame awaiting my finishing touches) that will incorporate rear suspension. Once I figure out the proper seat mounting set-up the solo seat will reappear. Another lesson... just because it works in sketchup, doesn't mean it will work in the real world!
Dark Knight said:
When are you gonna fit the rifle holster to the front...should make the commute even easier.
:lol: I've been asked that one many times by friends and family. I have a proper carry permit and a Mosin-Nagant M44 Carbine that would look nice. I could even use the recoil as a pulse engine! It kicks like an angry mule! I would not have wanted to be a front line soldier weilding one, firing thousands of rounds to save my life. 40 rounds leaves my shoulder brusied.
After some enjoyment and data collection as a hubbie, other things I have planned include making it a mid-drive with the Stiletto jackshaft in the rear BB; moving the pedals to the rear BB and swapping in flat bars for a bit of a sport-bike/board-track look (18.5" effective seat tube and a long stretch forward);
and... well, that's enough to get me through summer probably. I'm interested in comparing numbers using the same bike, same system, different configurations, just out of monkey-like curiosity. Besides, I think I'm turning into one of those fools who likes tinkering with bikes almost as much as riding them.
