Velocar Number 3

Although there's still something to do on Number2, 

I have completed the wheels for the next project.

I changed the wheel size again, back to 24 inch,
as on velocar No.1

This time all wheels will be one side attached, for easier tire/tube changing.

Because the rear wheels are now at the very sides of the vehicle, there's also more space in the back of the car.
The cargo trunk behind the drivers will be 75cm wide at the floorboard, 90cm at the uppermost edge, 40cm deep and 100cm long (less with a shorter rear end) .

Here are some crude renderings, just serving rather as help for imagination, than as accurate drawings.

I will build the swingarms for suspension within the next weeks.

Stay tuned!

Cargobike Berlin

As several times before, we had an bicycle event in Berlin.

This time it was the Cargobike Berlin, first of its kind here and exclusively dedicated to human powered cargo haulers.

Beside many manufacturers and self builders we met and talk to, the staff included the yearly cargo bike race.
It was rather a fun race instead of a sporty competition, so we had no problem only reacheing last place ( of four) in our multitrack division.
My first prototype, the blue one which I sold last year, was also in the race.
Outfitted with two biomechanical engines ( aka. humans) and two kids as additional payload they had comparable chances to win.
I was leading in lap 1, but a bit slow at the cargo loading stop after, so they started earlier for lap 2 and held the lead for the rest of this short race.

Near the entrance of the exhibition I found this gorgeous little Triumph and shot a few photos.

Sunny weather photos

Just a short post.

Nothing dramatic happened so far.

Just finally good weather, to take a few photos of the velocar.

More Progress

Here are the recent sub-projects:

At first my wifes drivetrain is in the works.

Stoker bottom bracket mount

New rear lights and fairings

in the same style as the headlights.

Video shooting with local TV channel

Some months ago I wrote an E- mail to a TV show about my hobby.
Now I got an answer.
We decided for beginning February, hoping for good weather.
I completed a new paint scheme just in time.
But when the day came, the sky was grey, temperatures below zero and high probability for snow.
So we changed scenery from park to a nearby small airport.
Not only provides a hanger superb shelter from the elements, the parked airplanes give an excellent background for video shooting.
After some videos were taken inside, we got out to the runway, which was poured over with frozen rain.
Damn, was that cold !!!
I wish, i had built my windshield yet.
Nevertheless it was great fun to ride over the ice, great opportunity to try some sliding.
After two hours at the airport, we recorded some more videos on public street, to show the velocar in normal traffic.
All in all, 3 hours of work will result in a 4 minute report and will be broadcasted  in mid March.

And here finally the clip in TV

Small repairs

Some time ago, I damaged the velocar at the rear.

A small impact has punctured the plywood, which I want to replace now.

I removed the damaged part of the rear panel with handsaw and angle grinder, 

then created a scarf joint to glue old and new part together.

Tomorrow I will add some reinforcements inside.