Continuing Wonderful Rides

40 mile, 50 mile. Countrysides, rivers ... very enjoyable.

Yesterday I lost my clutch ball. Dennis at Golden Eagle Bike Engines said they had replacements for around $2.50. Today I will try the hardware shop to see if they have them. Many mowers use the little feller. It's size is 'quarter inch twenty'.

Dennis said they have a good stock of most of the motors. One motor is backordered and another is being EPA upgraded.

I still need to get the seat shock. I'll follow the link on GEBE's site they recommended: http://www.nashbar.com

List of Federal Rules I found

Here are the federal DOT (Department of Transportation) rules for exemption.

1. The engine system may not exceed 30 MPH on the flat, no wind.
2. The engine system may not exceed 2 BHP.
3. The engine system may not exceed 50 cc.
4. The engine system may not interfere with normal pedaling.
5. The engine system must not require shifting.
6. The engine system must be a fully independent power source.

Good Fun : Berries Rain and Deer

Just got in from some berry pickin. Got caught in a big rain. First time in a longgg time I've walked in the rain with Puppydog enjoying it.

Had two great rides the past couple days. The one had a deer, doe, running beside me down a gravel road in the heart of the woods in the depths of the country.

Later I passed a house. I was going downhill so the motor was off. Suddenly I saw it coming ... BIG Dog. He crossed the creek and came up the bank thicket just behind me. As I peddled profuciously (made up word? that sounds good), I reached back with the left hand flipping the clutch in gear, then reached back with the right hand and gave the engine cord a yank. Subaru Zoombaru! "Goodbye Dog!" ... Thankfully.

Gratitudes to Golden Eagle Bike Engines and a motor kit well designed.

On another route there are two dogs that love to play chase the trek. The first pass caught them off guard. Yesterday, they heard me coming and got a bit closer. This one is uphill so leg power is also most useful. The third time I come they may be waiting with their decoy doggy disguised lemonade stand. I'll take the sip but skip the nip.

.

Happy 07.07.07 07:07:07

Early morning screen shot of this highly exciting event from http://www.time.gov/timezone.cgi?Eastern/d/-5/java
Actually it was a highly bit sleepy event.

Today is the SOS Save The Earth day. All the promos show bicycles without engine/motors. But I guess we are doing our part. My 39cc is much less a threat than my 12 cylinder Ferrari. Just kidding about owning one of those. ... It's actually a 35cc. :)

Pays To Pray II : First Rain

Got in my first rain! A very nice 48 mile ride. It would have been shorter but I missed a turn and ended up much further west. I poured in my reserve gas. Upon backtracking it began to rain. I saw a nice big tree to get under. I pulled up and looked over on the porch of the house and there sat someone I knew!

So under the porch the bike and I went. He gave me a big water and we had some nice porch sitting.

It was nearly sunset and I had a ways to go, approx 16 miles. The rain had stopped so zooming I went. The engine sputtered just as I arrived houseward.

I got to try out my 9 LED front light a little.
Also, my rigged mirror worked just fine. 97 cent rig.

The mirror wedges in the little hole of the hand grip. I used a big nail attached to the mirror.
The flashlight is simply wrapped with a small bungee cord.


Ride #7 : A+++

Car Rack :: Front Light :: Mirror :: Lock

Yesterday I zoomed down to see a bit of the July 4th parade. Much easier to get in and out on bicycle.

Today I figured how to attach it to the car rack. Because of the engine, the bike is weighted less uniform. I decided to take the front wheel off because it hung just above the exhaust pipe and the heat could damage the tire.

This made the weight quite lopsided. I put the rack under the bicycle back-frame-V'ee instead of the middle cross bar. I also added an extra nylon rope that loops around the trunk for support and in case a strap were to break.

I'll have to come up with some type of motor cover. Originally I had the motor facing forward but two points made me reverse this and put the motor to the rear:
1. The back tire in front of the exhaust pipe was not good.
2. By reversing, (putting the back tire to the driver's side), the wind and yuk will blow at the protected side of the engine.

When I lock the bike to the car, I loop the cable through the Engine Drive Ring as well as the bicycle frame. The cable is secured to the car frame.

I'll try the 9 LED flashlight that easily bungees to the handlebar at night. Still pondering the best light system.

I got a $1.00 mirror from the car accessories section. Secured a big nail to it and poked it in the hole of my handlebar grips. It wedges. It is small and lightweight. We'll see...

Pays to Pray :: 40 mile trip

Had a great 40 mile trip. Roads I've never been on.

First, I went to a local bicycle shop to look around. When I came out, I had a FLAT BACK tire. I looked and found the end of an ink pen stuck in the tire. So in the shop I went and purchased some quick-stick patches. Soon I was on my way thanking the Lord for letting this flat tire happen at a bicycle shop!

I went across the street and treated myself to a chocolate covered cake donut. Went outside and squeezed my 9 year old water bottle and crack! it broke. I drank all I could quickly. Kind of funny actually.

Onward to ride by the river, then visit a friend, and then the backroads 24 miles back to the homestead.

Great day. Ride #6 A+++ Yesterday Ride #5 To the Lake A++