I know it's fun, but it can be practical too. Googling showed that they can achieve upwards of 250 mpg.dragonhead wrote:who cares? its fun.eagle5953 wrote:What sort of MPG rate can you get on this? Range?
Weed Whacker Powered Bicycle!
Moderator:Moderators
- eagle5953
- Moderator
- Posts:1892
- Joined:Mon Jul 07, 2008 5:06 pm
- 360 GamerTag:eagle5953
- Steam ID:eagle5953
- Contact:
- bicostp
- Moderator
- Posts:10491
- Joined:Mon Mar 07, 2005 5:47 pm
- Steam ID:bicostp
- Location:Spamalot
- Contact:
Re: Weed Whacker Powered Bicycle!
Yeah, but the problem is it could be called a motor vehicle and have to be registered and insured, depending on your jurisdiction and whether or not the cop that pulled you over has met his quota for the day.
Good job! If you build another one, I highly recommend chain drive, since it's more reliable. However, in order to use chain drive you need a motor with a clutch, so you can stop without stalling the motor or lifting the rear wheel.
Good job! If you build another one, I highly recommend chain drive, since it's more reliable. However, in order to use chain drive you need a motor with a clutch, so you can stop without stalling the motor or lifting the rear wheel.
Twitter
http://www.pcwgaming.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
If you want a Dropbox account, please use my referral link
http://www.pcwgaming.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
If you want a Dropbox account, please use my referral link
- Kurt_
- Portablizer
- Posts:5748
- Joined:Thu Nov 24, 2005 10:32 am
- Steam ID:kurbert
- Location:Ontario, Canada
- Contact:
Re: Weed Whacker Powered Bicycle!
It really worries me that you still have coaster brakes on this thing. Also, that in addition to coaster brakes, you only have front brakes. So in an emergency, even something like avoiding a squirrel, your choices are flip over the handlebars or lock up your wheels instantly. And flip sideways. I seriously encourage fitting rear brakes.
Also, MPG is probably badass. I could see it getting 100 mpg easy. Perhaps 150 or even 200. Run it dry, pop a quarter gallon in, and drive a specific route. Then pop it in to google maps.
Also, MPG is probably badass. I could see it getting 100 mpg easy. Perhaps 150 or even 200. Run it dry, pop a quarter gallon in, and drive a specific route. Then pop it in to google maps.
Hey, sup?
- dragonhead
- Posts:952
- Joined:Sun Apr 04, 2004 4:28 pm
- Location:NH, USA
- Contact:
Re: Weed Whacker Powered Bicycle!
man all you people worry too much about trivial crap. let the kid ride his bike.
-
- Posts:155
- Joined:Mon Feb 25, 2008 9:19 pm
- 360 GamerTag:ttsgeb
- Steam ID:ttsgeb
- Location:behind you, don't look, I'll just be behind you.
- Contact:
Re: Weed Whacker Powered Bicycle!
Nonsense, When have you ever locked up a tire using cantilever brakes? Also, any kid who's ever had a bike with coaster brakes knows how to lock them up and not flip over on their side, I remember having contest to see who could skid the longest. IF a real emergency comes up he's not gonna be any less safe because of the brakes, it's more likely to be because of the small plastic gas tank strapped to the back of his bike.Kurt_ wrote:It really worries me that you still have coaster brakes on this thing. Also, that in addition to coaster brakes, you only have front brakes. So in an emergency, even something like avoiding a squirrel, your choices are flip over the handlebars or lock up your wheels instantly. And flip sideways. I seriously encourage fitting rear brakes.
For the record, My bike only has front brakes, and they don't even have much grab, but I've been riding it safely and at relatively high speeds for years.
- dragonhead
- Posts:952
- Joined:Sun Apr 04, 2004 4:28 pm
- Location:NH, USA
- Contact:
Re: Weed Whacker Powered Bicycle!
thank you. the fact that you even needed to explain that is pretty sad though.ttsgeb wrote:Nonsense, When have you ever locked up a tire using cantilever brakes? Also, any kid who's ever had a bike with coaster brakes knows how to lock them up and not flip over on their side, I remember having contest to see who could skid the longest. IF a real emergency comes up he's not gonna be any less safe because of the brakes, it's more likely to be because of the small plastic gas tank strapped to the back of his bike.Kurt_ wrote:It really worries me that you still have coaster brakes on this thing. Also, that in addition to coaster brakes, you only have front brakes. So in an emergency, even something like avoiding a squirrel, your choices are flip over the handlebars or lock up your wheels instantly. And flip sideways. I seriously encourage fitting rear brakes.
For the record, My bike only has front brakes, and they don't even have much grab, but I've been riding it safely and at relatively high speeds for years.
- Kurt_
- Portablizer
- Posts:5748
- Joined:Thu Nov 24, 2005 10:32 am
- Steam ID:kurbert
- Location:Ontario, Canada
- Contact:
Re: Weed Whacker Powered Bicycle!
I haven't used coaster brakes since I was a kid. And I still have a pebble embedded in my hand from when I hit them accidentally going fast downhill. My bike landed on top of me.
No production bike would ever have only coaster and front brakes. It's just an obviously flawed design choice.
No production bike would ever have only coaster and front brakes. It's just an obviously flawed design choice.
Hey, sup?
Re: Weed Whacker Powered Bicycle!
Sweet job. I'm sure you're the envy of all the little kids in your neighborhood.
And like bic said, you should find out if its legal/what you need to do to make it legal.
Actually, the bike tire's size does nothing to change the gearing, its just an idler. If you put the bike peg directly on the ground, it would spin just as fast at a given speed (no, I wasn't smart enough to notice this, I read it in a comment on an Instructable about building the same thing). So changing tire size won't do anything, only changing the peg diameter will make a difference.Mario wrote:There is a 13:1 gear ratio so acceleration isn't too great, but top speed is very high.
And like bic said, you should find out if its legal/what you need to do to make it legal.
Re: Weed Whacker Powered Bicycle!
Indeed. Braking isn't a big issue on this bike. The front brakes don't have much grab, so you can't flip the bike with them. They do help greatly in braking, though.ttsgeb wrote:Nonsense, When have you ever locked up a tire using cantilever brakes? Also, any kid who's ever had a bike with coaster brakes knows how to lock them up and not flip over on their side, I remember having contest to see who could skid the longest. IF a real emergency comes up he's not gonna be any less safe because of the brakes, it's more likely to be because of the small plastic gas tank strapped to the back of his bike.Kurt_ wrote:It really worries me that you still have coaster brakes on this thing. Also, that in addition to coaster brakes, you only have front brakes. So in an emergency, even something like avoiding a squirrel, your choices are flip over the handlebars or lock up your wheels instantly. And flip sideways. I seriously encourage fitting rear brakes.
For the record, My bike only has front brakes, and they don't even have much grab, but I've been riding it safely and at relatively high speeds for years.
- GoldenfrankO
- Posts:1490
- Joined:Sat Apr 19, 2008 7:40 pm
- PSN Username:FullFreak
- 360 GamerTag:GoldenfrankO
Re: Weed Whacker Powered Bicycle!
I was thinking of doing this as well. Sick job on it! BTW I sent you a friend request, favorited the video, and rated 5 stars!
- blaze3927
- Portablizer
- Posts:1114
- Joined:Mon Dec 08, 2008 6:14 am
- 360 GamerTag:notjames
- Location:Australia
- Contact:
Re: Weed Whacker Powered Bicycle!
nice
cough "temporary citizen"
cough "temporary citizen"
Australian Kaillera server
[url]hhttp://i56.tinypic.com/ncb0wi.gif[/url]
[url]hhttp://i56.tinypic.com/ncb0wi.gif[/url]
- bicostp
- Moderator
- Posts:10491
- Joined:Mon Mar 07, 2005 5:47 pm
- Steam ID:bicostp
- Location:Spamalot
- Contact:
Re: Weed Whacker Powered Bicycle!
What's this for?blaze3927 wrote:cough "temporary citizen"
Twitter
http://www.pcwgaming.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
If you want a Dropbox account, please use my referral link
http://www.pcwgaming.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
If you want a Dropbox account, please use my referral link
- dslitemodder
- Posts:85
- Joined:Fri Nov 14, 2008 8:39 pm
Re: Weed Whacker Powered Bicycle!
You might want to add a chain instead of using what you have now. The reason being is that the thread on the tire is going to ware out quick and you will have less traction. Less traction = less control and harder braking.
cool project though
Re: Weed Whacker Powered Bicycle!
vskid wrote:Actually, the bike tire's size does nothing to change the gearing, its just an idler. If you put the bike peg directly on the ground, it would spin just as fast at a given speed (no, I wasn't smart enough to notice this, I read it in a comment on an Instructable about building the same thing). So changing tire size won't do anything, only changing the peg diameter will make a difference.Mario wrote:There is a 13:1 gear ratio so acceleration isn't too great, but top speed is very high.
That's not true. Your talking gear ratios, and thats something I'm REALLY good at (I have a history of robotics, and other such things where it's used a LOT). I made a diagram for ya to explain it better:
Also, while the "wheel" RPM goes up, the acceleration goes down. Even more drastically when you start using reverse-ratios. For acceleration, a smaller input (peg), or a larger output (wheel) is best (Meaning you have a higher acceleration this way than you would if you used something larger, Mario. 13-to-1 is actually pretty good. I might have aimed for 20-to-1, though.). For speed, you want a larger input, or a smaller output. Try to keep a nice balance between acceleration and speed. Especially when you're using a clutch-less design. You'll want a higher acceleration namely because it will reduce stress on the engine when revving up. If you have a clutch, then this isn't as much of an issue because the clutch will slip a little if you allow it too. Giving you a sort of second throttle control, and allowing you to ease the engine into that ratio.
Hope this helps you understand better.
Please keep an eye on my HBN64 progress.
HBN-Style Anti-Noise Headphones.
Moderatio Est Figmentum.
Long live the Queen of Bondo!
HBN-Style Anti-Noise Headphones.
Moderatio Est Figmentum.
Long live the Queen of Bondo!
Re: Weed Whacker Powered Bicycle!
I want to make one now... I guess my SNES project is on hold, oh well.
But I'm pretty sure it's legal, unless it can go over 50, well that's how it works around here, but you might get in trouble for riding it around on public roads.
But I'm pretty sure it's legal, unless it can go over 50, well that's how it works around here, but you might get in trouble for riding it around on public roads.
^ *Information above may be incorrect.* ^
^ *This signature may be incorrect.* ^
^ *This signature may be incorrect.* ^