ProjectVF - July 23, 2007

I tried several times with no success steering the Test Mule using the rope-based system (the counter-steering made it tough), so I reluctantly added a handlebar with a drag link connected to the front fork. The connecting arm is aligned with the forks, so the steering is still 1:1. Click on the pic at left for a larger version.

I also had no success with the cheap rope connecting the pedal with the rear brake. I swapped the rope for a steel cable and now the brake actually works.

I bought a fabric measuring tape and measureed the circumference of the chopper tires, enabling me to calibrate the speedometer.

It's the little things that'll drive ya' nuts.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here's a perfect example of the "little things." At first I used a grocery bag to carry my helmet and pads up the hill. Eventually I needed to bring more stuff and the bag just wasn't working. I took a copier paper box and turned it inside-out (no free advertising here), and with a couple of staples and a little hot glue I made this goofy box which works incredibly well. It was worth the ten minutes of time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Back to the Construction Sequence page

 

 

 

 

 

With the frame extension assembled it's time to design the front suspension, which means a return to the Test Mule. After a few days of test-revise-test, here's how the rig evolved. Click on the picture below to see a larger version.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here's another "little thing." Somewhere along the way I lost the original jam nut for the gooseneck. The first one I built (left) worked OK in the mockup stage but failed to hold during testing. I built a second one (right) with big wedges and it worked, but meant more cutting and welding and grinding. I like creating things like this, especially if I can do it cheaply. The nut, wedges and washer were all scrap items. The only real expense was my time.
Pushing the test mule up the hill is easy with a snap-on handle like this. It's just a scrap piece of pine with a few little blocks for wedges. I can use both hands to push and balance and guide, plus it doubles as a kickstand.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

With the revisons complete, it was time to learn how to ride the Test Mule on a gentle hill at the end of my street.

At left is the mad scientist decked out for summer adventure with knee and elbow pads, plus helmet and gloves. The iPod was just as important as the safety gear, helping relieve the boredom of walking uphill numerous. A few of the neighbors and kids asked questions, but otherwise they ignored me which is what I really wanted

At right you can see the Test Mule parked next to the hydrant as I made one of many adjustments.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here are the test course stats. It's 600 feet long with a 3% grade that enabled a top speed of just 14 mph. It's close to home, lightly traveled and in the morning there's plenty of shade.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Watch out, citizens. There's a nut out on the street riding a...?

The photo shows an easy pass for the assembled press with the Test Mule under perfect control. With a little practice I was able to ride it as well as any other bicycle.

I started with an easy combination of steering geometry, then moved on to others. It was amazing to see how much difference a small change could make, and with the indexer and link plates it was easy to switch to any setting.

The setup at right is 40 degrees of rake with 3.5 inches of trail and was actually very steerable. Other combinations were not so good and others did not turn out as expected. Such is the product of trial-and-error research and well worth the time and effort.