Hi from the UK - INDIAN Board Tracker tribute, my first build

Ludwig II · Jan 26, 2020

Pete, I'm sorry Pete, but I found this page, and I'm sorry, Pete, really I am, but it's something that people should know about, and I'm REALLY sorry about all the engineering waiting to happen to the poor little Guzzino. And don't click on the Moto Rumi, no, don't!

https://www.moto.it/news/ingegno-e-fantasia-trasformare-un-motore-a-2-tempi-in-un-4-tempi.html

PeteMcP · Jan 27, 2020

Sexy Italian lightweights - MMM, my kind of bike porn.
What is that motor in the Guzzino? Looks to have desmodromic valves ala Ducati.

Ludwig II · Jan 27, 2020

I think it's just a double overhead cam job, the other one looks like a pushrod engine.

PeteMcP · Jan 27, 2020

Ludwig,
I should have clicked onto the 'translate' button and read the full article in your link before making a comment. Translated it makes for a fascinating read.
Whoever woulda thunk it - a 'hybrid' 2-stroke/4-stroke conversion for a Guzzino 65cc just for the **** of it. Mad!

Ludwig II · Jan 27, 2020

Benelli, I think it was, created a production bike with a 4 stroke conversion of their 2 stroke Leoncino. There are some small sprayer engines around now that breathe a petroil mix in through the crankcase and then to the inlet valve, it eliminates problems with which way up it's used.

PeteMcP · Feb 12, 2020

NEW STURMEY ARCHER X-FD 90mm FRONT DRUM BRAKE
I just snapped up one of these for less than half price here in the UK. Seller says he has 10 more. Let me know if anyone is interested and I'll see if I can snap one up for you.
Used these on my first two builds and they are the mutts nuts - both looks and performance wise.

PeteMcP · Feb 16, 2020

CUSTOM FRAME STRETCH CRUISER - MY DEBUT eBIKE PROJECT
Recently took delivery of this with the intention of grasping the nettle and dipping my toe into the eBike scene.

Bike is in great condition - but both tyres are old and badly cracked.
Already ordered-up the parts for the conversion, including the following which I have here:
Sturmey Archer X-FD front hub brake to replace the existing rim brake. The S/A drum brake hub has 36 spokes, so I purchased a new 24" front rim to replace the existing 40 spoker.
New 24x2.35 Crazy Bob front tyre and tube.
New 20x4-1/4" slick tread rear tyre and tube.
New saddle - same super comfy Selle saddle as fitted to my Gnome Rhone 125c build.
48v 1000w 20x4 rear hub eMotor. On it's way from China.
Still to decide whether or not to go with the existing handlebars. Love me some wide Moon cruiser bars.
Currently playing around with ideas for some sheet metal bodywork in the frame's void to encase the battery.

fasteddy · Feb 16, 2020

Turn back before it's too late. It's a trap and the only escape is through the valley of the Volts and the Watts.

indian22 · Feb 16, 2020

PeteMcP said:
CUSTOM FRAME STRETCH CRUISER - MY DEBUT eBIKE PROJECT
Recently took delivery of this with the intention of grasping the nettle and dipping my toe into the eBike scene.
View attachment 103684
Bike is in great condition - but both tyres are old and badly cracked.
Already ordered-up the parts for the conversion, including the following which I have here:
Sturmey Archer X-FD front hub brake to replace the existing rim brake. The S/A drum brake hub has 36 spokes, so I purchased a new 24" front rim to replace the existing 40 spoker.
New 24x2.35 Crazy Bob front tyre and tube.
New 20x4-1/4" slick tread rear tyre and tube.
New saddle - same super comfy Selle saddle as fitted to my Gnome Rhone 125c build.
48v 1000w 20x4 rear hub eMotor. On it's way from China.
Still to decide whether or not to go with the existing handlebars. Love me some wide Moon cruiser bars.
Currently playing around with ideas for some sheet metal bodywork in the frame's void to encase the battery.

Too late Steve he's stepped on a bouncing Betty nothing to do but say grace!

Well Pete that's a nice lot of bits you've pieced & a super frame to build around. I put my money on this being another quality production out of the U.K., which surprises no one! Get to it then.

Rick C.

fasteddy · Feb 16, 2020

indian22 said:
Too late Steve he's stepped on a bouncing Betty nothing to do but say grace!

Well Pete that's a nice lot of bits you've pieced & a super frame to build around. I put my money on this being another quality production out of the U.K., which surprises no one! Get to it then.

Rick C.

Only thing left now is the trip through the valley to a happier place. Betty isn't well known to be easy on her victims.

Steve.

PeteMcP · Feb 27, 2020

OK, here's a brief outline of the plan for my stretch cruiser eBike...
Already decided on its name ... so 'Blue Bamboo' it is. I'll use half round brass rod to create the frame's segmented bamboo profile, after which it will be repainted to look like exotic tropical blue bamboo.
Hub eMotor and associated paraphernalia arrived from China in today's mail. Bonus was the package attracted zero customs duty. Really impressed with the quality - but the shipment was missing the LCD meter which the item's description said was included. Contacted the shipper, so hopefully that omission will be rectified ASAP.
48v 13ah 1000w battery on its way from Austria. Was originally going to go with a battery in a faux gas tank but instead decided it would be a better idea to keep the bike's centre of gravity as low down as possible so I specifically opted for a battery with dimensions that'll sit horizontally in the bottom of the frame's void.
Already swapped-out the bike's front wheel for a new 24" rim with Schwalbe Crazy Bob 2.35" wide tyre laced to the Sturmey Archer 90mm drum brake purchased for this build. Is there a build that the SA front drum brakes doesn't look good on? Love the look.

indian22 · Feb 27, 2020

Sounds great with the 4.25" rear and yes filling the void with the battery is a good thing. Good parts and a fine plan, should be epic!

PeteMcP · Mar 1, 2020

Calling Ludwig, if you're listening.
You mentioned earlier in this thread you'd be interested in that Dutch Sparta Autocycle on UK eBay I pictured if it was UK registered. Well, UK eBay just threw up another, nicer, cheaper (£350), example and this one is already registered with DVLA. Check it out.
BIKE NOW SOLD.

indian22 · Mar 1, 2020

That's a sweet deal Pete!

Rick C.

PeteMcP · Mar 1, 2020

Sparta is listed by the seller as ..."probably the best available" and he's prepared to accept Best Offers. V5 log book present and legally registered into the bargain. Sure is a deal for someone. I've enough projects on my plate right now.

FOG · Mar 1, 2020

Pete, have you ever heard of an old steam locomotive called "The Rocket"? It's somewhere in an English museum and is famous for winning some kinda competition in the very early days of steam locomotion.

I ran across it in a fascinating book called "The History of Invention". According to the book the 1st practical application of steam power was to pump water out of coal mines. But they were so inefficient ... they had to be at a coal mine! The idea they could get one to actually move was still far in the future.

The book goes from there thru all the things that had to happen to get to the Rocket. Good book. I've read it twice and may do so again someday.

PeteMcP · Mar 2, 2020

Yeah FOG, the 'Rocket', or Stephenson's Rocket as everyone refers to it from their school history lessons, is probably one of two locomotives every non railway enthusiast has heard of. The other being Flying Scotsman. The actual 'Rocket' - looking far more mundane than everyone imagines - is in the National Railway Museum in York, along with the spruced-up yellow painted commemorative replica version everyone thinks of when they picture the 'Rocket'.
Photo below shows me ten years ago with US pals Bill & Angie posing alongside fascinating working replica steam locomotive The Steam Elephant at Beamish Museum in County Durham here in NE England.

PeteMcP · Mar 2, 2020

48v 1000w battery and charger for my 'Blue Bamboo' build arrived today from China via Austria. Meaning no import duty. Another win.
As hoped for, battery's size and shape looks like it was designed to fit this stretch cruiser's frame.
Work starts tomorrow on the frame's mods... pics to follow shortly.

indian22 · Mar 3, 2020

Pete I think you'll fall in love with the electric and what a great platform to install it on.

The "Flying Scotsman" was it also called the Mallard?

Rick C.

PeteMcP · Mar 3, 2020

Rick, I've surprised myself how interested in the leccy side of things I'm becoming after reading up on it and viewing many youtube vids. And also how much I've fallen for this stretch cruiser which, till recently, is something that never really registered on my radar. Whoever did the one-off frame conversion had a great eye for style and did a very pleasing job. To top it all off, it's an amazingly comfortable and relaxing ride, which is always a welcome bonus.

Both 'Flying Scotsman' and 'Mallard' are 4-6-2 Pacifics, but put simply, FS is a regular boilered loco whilst Mallard is a shrouded streamliner A4 Class.

Hi from the UK - INDIAN Board Tracker tribute, my first build

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