Hi from the UK - INDIAN Board Tracker tribute, my first build
- Thread starter PeteMcP
- Start date
Yay! My eHub's controller and LCD Meter showed up in today's mail, despite the shipment's online tracking info advising the parcel hadn't yet left China. So that's a pretty speedy turnround time from the Far East considering folks are being told to expect long postal delays due to the Corona virus crisis.
Must be getting paranoid - 'cause I sprayed the package with anti-bacterial disinfectant and sanitized my hands after taking delivery from the mailman who was partially dressed in what looked like a hi-viz hazmat suit.
Bars, clubs, restaurants, theatres and other places of mass gatherings were officially advised to close in the Prime Minister's daily press conference yesterday, so most folks in the UK have now got the message and are staying indoors for anything other than essential journeys. Welcome to my world... Thanks to wife Jen's dementia and Parkinsons making her immobile, we've been living like virtual recluses these last 12 months. Housebound - apart from a trip to the supermarket every 10 days. These Corona virus restrictions on movement have little or no effect on our lifestyle. What must be strange times for everyone else has become everyday normal for us. You adjust and get on with it. Stay safe.
Must be getting paranoid - 'cause I sprayed the package with anti-bacterial disinfectant and sanitized my hands after taking delivery from the mailman who was partially dressed in what looked like a hi-viz hazmat suit.
Bars, clubs, restaurants, theatres and other places of mass gatherings were officially advised to close in the Prime Minister's daily press conference yesterday, so most folks in the UK have now got the message and are staying indoors for anything other than essential journeys. Welcome to my world... Thanks to wife Jen's dementia and Parkinsons making her immobile, we've been living like virtual recluses these last 12 months. Housebound - apart from a trip to the supermarket every 10 days. These Corona virus restrictions on movement have little or no effect on our lifestyle. What must be strange times for everyone else has become everyday normal for us. You adjust and get on with it. Stay safe.
Pete that's great news. I've not given up on international orders and just made small purchases from the U.K. and China. My domestic orders seem to be in line as well. I'd think it will take a bit more time to see specialty parts distributors shelf stocks entirely depleted, but then the things I just ordered from abroad are normally found here?
We're also closed here food services carry out/pick up or delivery only etc. Grocery and pharmacies are open and pretty well stocked it appears and initial panic buying has hit a rhythm of just a bit more each outing. Being in a rural setting is however quite a different scene than that of a metroplex, so that much is normal.
Seems our world is the same regarding daily life, during this precautionary living period. It's fact for the duration plus. Politics being what it is will make certain that our world will never return to what it was. It has always been so, great catastrophes create enticing opportunities to advance both national and personal ambitions. Here in the U.S. 9-11 is a modest example, enter Homeland security and books of new regulations. Like vultures sitting on the perches of a great battle, politicians await the bounty of carnage...to fill their bellies and gain more power. Regardless of political parties or ideologies; just the nature of the beast.
Rick C.
We're also closed here food services carry out/pick up or delivery only etc. Grocery and pharmacies are open and pretty well stocked it appears and initial panic buying has hit a rhythm of just a bit more each outing. Being in a rural setting is however quite a different scene than that of a metroplex, so that much is normal.
Seems our world is the same regarding daily life, during this precautionary living period. It's fact for the duration plus. Politics being what it is will make certain that our world will never return to what it was. It has always been so, great catastrophes create enticing opportunities to advance both national and personal ambitions. Here in the U.S. 9-11 is a modest example, enter Homeland security and books of new regulations. Like vultures sitting on the perches of a great battle, politicians await the bounty of carnage...to fill their bellies and gain more power. Regardless of political parties or ideologies; just the nature of the beast.
Rick C.
Pressing onward to the goal more stuff on order including one of Pat's battery tanks, that I've decided will hold my 72v. battery and of course look proper in the frame. Selecting fasteners which do their job, don't get in the way, assemble easily & look well are part of where I'm at today, and though I have a pretty good assortment on hand, few actually suit me or the motor case it seems. Completing case covers, but lacking fasteners.
Minor concerns for certain, but I'm focusing on the things I have control over each day and tasks I enjoy This afternoon I'll take a nice long ride and enjoy this beautiful Spring day. I wish as much for each of you in whatever this day brings.
Photos perhaps?
Rick C.
Minor concerns for certain, but I'm focusing on the things I have control over each day and tasks I enjoy This afternoon I'll take a nice long ride and enjoy this beautiful Spring day. I wish as much for each of you in whatever this day brings.
Photos perhaps?
Rick C.
Bicycle carpentry....
Clad Blue Bamboo's timber tank panel with individual strips cut from an inexpensive bamboo window blind. Plan is to mix up some blue tinted varnish to colour this when the time comes.
Clad Blue Bamboo's timber tank panel with individual strips cut from an inexpensive bamboo window blind. Plan is to mix up some blue tinted varnish to colour this when the time comes.
KOOOOOOOOL! Like it a lot, bike is coming along nice.......Curt
Progress on this build is slowing thanks to everywhere closing-up shop in compliance with the Government's Corona virus advice.
I've just rebuilt Blue Bamboo's front wheel using a new black hoop and spokes but I can't refit the tyre till the wheel has been trued - and my local bike shop who do this closed for the foreseeable future last Monday. Decided instead to buy a wheel truing jig on eBay and do it myself. Price of the jig only cost a fraction more than what my lbs charge for truing one wheel. Jig is scheduled to be delivered from Belgium on Tuesday.
My wider 120/80x16 rear tyre was delivered by DHL today - but my local tyre fitters are likewise closed for business. And my tyre irons are still in long term storage.
Today I'll busy myself by finishing up 'bambooing' the frame by adding the remainder of the brass rings I'm done forming.
Was hoping to crack on with ordering the sheet alloy I plan on using for the bike's lower bodysides to shield the battery and controller - but I guess it might be a while before any metal stockholders reopen for business.
I've just rebuilt Blue Bamboo's front wheel using a new black hoop and spokes but I can't refit the tyre till the wheel has been trued - and my local bike shop who do this closed for the foreseeable future last Monday. Decided instead to buy a wheel truing jig on eBay and do it myself. Price of the jig only cost a fraction more than what my lbs charge for truing one wheel. Jig is scheduled to be delivered from Belgium on Tuesday.
My wider 120/80x16 rear tyre was delivered by DHL today - but my local tyre fitters are likewise closed for business. And my tyre irons are still in long term storage.
Today I'll busy myself by finishing up 'bambooing' the frame by adding the remainder of the brass rings I'm done forming.
Was hoping to crack on with ordering the sheet alloy I plan on using for the bike's lower bodysides to shield the battery and controller - but I guess it might be a while before any metal stockholders reopen for business.
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My 2 pence Pete, your frame is blue, finish the bamboo bright. The contrast enhances the bands on your frame.
Tom from Rubicon Wisconsin
Tom from Rubicon Wisconsin
I've no suggestions Pete the long tubes of the stretch & lithe bamboo concept go together well and the blue permits creative license that's cool on the color charts....bamboo laminate tank panel is a nice touch. Wind through the bamboo is almost silent and so's the electric, but watch out for the Pandas on patrol!
Think it's all great & very imaginative.
Rick C.
Think it's all great & very imaginative.
Rick C.
"...Here's one I made earlier..." as they say.
Been playing around with some cardboard mock-ups to get an idea of how I plan to house Blue Bamboo's battery and controller. After several attempts, I'm getting close to what I'm looking for. Plan is to cut/shape the 'bodywork' from sheet aluminium - but to maintain the bike's theme, I'm leaning towards cladding this with strips of bamboo cut from the same window blind I clad the 'tank' with.
Been playing around with some cardboard mock-ups to get an idea of how I plan to house Blue Bamboo's battery and controller. After several attempts, I'm getting close to what I'm looking for. Plan is to cut/shape the 'bodywork' from sheet aluminium - but to maintain the bike's theme, I'm leaning towards cladding this with strips of bamboo cut from the same window blind I clad the 'tank' with.
Looks great Pete will you be mounting a pedal chain guard as well?
Rick C.
Rick C.
No plans to fit a chain guard just yet, Rick.
Hoping to find a metal stockholder who is still open for business so I can order some sheet ali and crack-on with the bike's tin work.
Hoping to find a metal stockholder who is still open for business so I can order some sheet ali and crack-on with the bike's tin work.
Pete we're quite rural and though restrictions are being followed quite a few services are regarded as crucial to agricultural/oil production and welding is one that requires supplies on hand, so many basic raw metals are still available.
We've yet to have a confirmed diagnosis of the Corona virus in county, but three confirmed in an adjoining county. It's here and I'm certain even some of the critical services will close as individuals become infected and there's no one to do the job. Small population base and not much redundancy in the service sector.
Stay safe.
Rick C,
We've yet to have a confirmed diagnosis of the Corona virus in county, but three confirmed in an adjoining county. It's here and I'm certain even some of the critical services will close as individuals become infected and there's no one to do the job. Small population base and not much redundancy in the service sector.
Stay safe.
Rick C,
Received Pedal Chopper's cnc'd alloy rear caliper mount in today's mail.Thankfully no customs charges to pay. Very nicely made part - but still wondering how I was charged US$35 for postage when the USPS sticker on the package read $23.28. OK, I'm over it. I'll quit moaning.
Caliper mount is designed to be a drop-in fit for the OCC Stingray chopper but required a few mods to make it fit my particular application. Supplied with a 10mm axle hole, I had to re-drill this for my eHub's 14mm axle. Also needed to cut a 6mm dia. slot in the mount to clear the eHub's electric flex. Easy mods and now Blue Bamboo has a disc braked rear wheel to compliment the front wheel's drum brake.
Caliper mount is designed to be a drop-in fit for the OCC Stingray chopper but required a few mods to make it fit my particular application. Supplied with a 10mm axle hole, I had to re-drill this for my eHub's 14mm axle. Also needed to cut a 6mm dia. slot in the mount to clear the eHub's electric flex. Easy mods and now Blue Bamboo has a disc braked rear wheel to compliment the front wheel's drum brake.
Another Electric Bike enthusiast posted on another forum.
By a fellow in Lahore, Pakistan.
Tom
By a fellow in Lahore, Pakistan.
Still awaiting delivery of my wheel trueing jig. Way past estimated delivery date, so I guess postal delays due to Covid 19 are kicking in. Haven't really experienced any shipping delays till now. Understandable.
Pete my postal deliveries have also slowed. One tiny purchase from the UK is over thirty days in route... shows shipped. China orders not far behind and even a couple of domestic deliveries that are normally 5 to 7 day shipping are showing up to 45 days of delay. All envelop size & insignificant weight. While some domestic orders are coming in three to five days. Tracking wasn't provided on any of these.
I'm holding off on ordering items of significant value unless I have positive phone confirmation and tracking information.
You're correct in stating it's understandable and I'd add that patience is a virtue during trying times.
Rick C.
I'm holding off on ordering items of significant value unless I have positive phone confirmation and tracking information.
You're correct in stating it's understandable and I'd add that patience is a virtue during trying times.
Rick C.
Still managing to crack on with adding a few more details on Blue Bamboo.
Battery support, fabbed from square steel tube, is a snug fit between frame members. The void under this will house the controller. All electricals will eventually be sheeted over with alloy panels.
New pedals fitted, the left one of which incorporates a fold down sidestand. Stand is secured via strong magnets in the retracted position. Had some custom vinyl 'Blue Bamboo' script decals made for the tank sides. Bamboo clad tank and decals are now protected under ten coats of clear lacquer.
Rear disc brake caliper now fitted and operating. This is my first try out for disc brakes - and I'm already a fan.
Battery support, fabbed from square steel tube, is a snug fit between frame members. The void under this will house the controller. All electricals will eventually be sheeted over with alloy panels.
New pedals fitted, the left one of which incorporates a fold down sidestand. Stand is secured via strong magnets in the retracted position. Had some custom vinyl 'Blue Bamboo' script decals made for the tank sides. Bamboo clad tank and decals are now protected under ten coats of clear lacquer.
Rear disc brake caliper now fitted and operating. This is my first try out for disc brakes - and I'm already a fan.
Looking sweet Pete, rear disc brake is good. Front duals, better to control the weight of Blue Bamboo.
Tom
Tom
Wheel trueing jig finally arrived in yesterday's mail. Very handy and easy to use tool, which enabled me to correctly tension the blackened stainless spokes on Blue Bamboo's replacement front wheel. New wheel now matches the rear, so all's good. Love the effect the addition of blue Rimblades has on these wheels.
In keeping with the blacked-out theme, I also swapped out the bike's original chrome chainwheel and cranks. for black ones. Took the opportunity to add one of the Rimblade offcuts to the chainwheel's freshly painted chainguard.
There's a load of wiring on this e-build that's causing me headaches when it comes to figuring out how best to conceal as much of it as I can. Would really like to run it through the frame tubes - but I'm not a fan of drilling large holes in the frame. Best idea I've come up with to date is to maybe add a detachable curved tube under the wood 'tank', inside which much of the wiring would run.
Struggling to find anyone open for business who can sell me the sheet aluminium I need for the bike's bodysides. I'll keep looking....
In keeping with the blacked-out theme, I also swapped out the bike's original chrome chainwheel and cranks. for black ones. Took the opportunity to add one of the Rimblade offcuts to the chainwheel's freshly painted chainguard.
There's a load of wiring on this e-build that's causing me headaches when it comes to figuring out how best to conceal as much of it as I can. Would really like to run it through the frame tubes - but I'm not a fan of drilling large holes in the frame. Best idea I've come up with to date is to maybe add a detachable curved tube under the wood 'tank', inside which much of the wiring would run.
Struggling to find anyone open for business who can sell me the sheet aluminium I need for the bike's bodysides. I'll keep looking....