Five Hour Ride
Longest ride yet - an engine & drivetrain testing, somewhat grueling, five hour ride from Saint Helena to Bolinas, California.
(Source: Vimeo)
Tranny parts came back from the waterjet cutter - I’m impressed.
Looks like it will be a month before I get to start working on this again.
Started with a Grubee 4G drivetrain found it too limiting for my modifications. Now working on a nashmoto belt drivetrain to replace the Grubee gear box I’m currently running. Sent out the file today and hope to have the part back in a couple weeks. Photos to follow …
Finding a headlight system, a very specific look, has proven difficult and expensive when found. This light is from Napa Auto parts (inexpensive) very heavy and requires major adapting to mount and inventive solutions for power and a 6V bulb. The 6V system will hopefully provide enough light for now. Batteries are currently mounted inside the housing with a flashlight bulb. I’ll be upgrading soon to a higher powered flashlight bulb and large separate rechargeable battery mounted elsewhere on the bike.
The current development nashmoto bike is running a Honda GHX50 engine using the Grubee Stage III gearbox. Lithium grease keeps it running fairly smoothly with regular servicing of the clutch parts. I’m happy enough with it for now, but looking forward to the Grubee 4G belt drive transmission I’m building up for the next bike. The clutch design alone should make a huge difference in reliability.
This is the first time I’ve had this happen, but I know why now. The stock seat post didn’t fit the aftermarket seat and machining the end to extend the slim portion that the seat clamps to, crossed into the thinner wall section of the post’s design. Fortunately it didn’t break off mid-ride. Makes for an opportunity to build a suspension seat design I’ve been thinking about. That would also have the side benefit of moving the seat further back on the frame.
Took an early morning nashmoto ride into the hills and learned an important lesson: pack tools, an extra tube, parts etc. Can’t expect everything to stay together all the time - even a simple flat tire is a major problem and a mile walk in this case. Great ride still and beautiful day to be on a motorized bike!
Death Race 2010 was a blast, but the two crashes (one my fault) left the bike with a bent and damaged crank and crank shaft. Found this beautiful extra long precision bearing unit from Sick Bike Parts. Replaced the whole bottom bracket and now things are spinning true again.
