Chainless Bicycles

CNN has a story up about some new bikes coming to market, which utilize a belt, much like most scooters, instead of the traditional chain...
kind of interesting...

World's Coolest Moped?

Wired is calling the above pictured Chicara Art IV the world's coolest moped.

Perhaps, it is definitely pretty cool... but look at that riding position! It must also be the world's least comfortable moped, and that's saying something.

Steampunk Recumbent Trike

Proving that personal vehicle experimenters are just a hair away from Steampunk mad-scientists is this gorgeous trike, complete with leather trunk. Lots more drool-worthy photos over at Jake Von Slatt's blog.

Man, love those white tires, nothing says turn of the century like skinny white rubber!

More Anachcronistic Scooter Anomalies

Well real-life responsibilities and some difficulties with my flux capacitor prevented my week of exploring the obscure glories of prehistoric scootering with as much depth as I would have liked.
Still, I feel I must share a few of the more interesting examples I've found, in an attempt to put to rest the myth that Vespa invented scooters. Don't get me wrong, I love Vespas, but I cringe a little every time I read one of those news stories about how high gas prices are driving increased scooter sales, and the Vespa invented scooters after WWII is tosssed out there.
Take for instance this lovely Dieselpunky military grade Cushman. 4734 of these Auto Glide Model 53 Cushmans were sold to the US Government, and some were used by Airborne troops after D-Day. Cushmans are probably the most common of the Pre-Vespa scooters, especially in the U.S., and there is a cult following of collectors and restorers to this day.

The above two Cushmans are on display at the Motorcycle History Museum in Sturgis South Dakota. Jes and I stopped there on a lark during our recent cross-county trip, and were very impressed by the place. While we expected merely a shrine to Harleys, they had a lot of cool pieces of two-wheeler history from manufacturers all over the world.

A really scoot which was on display there was the 1922 Ner-a-car.

Now that is one sick old scoot! And as a Scot, I love that the placard brings up one of my favorite arguments for scooters. Real men ride scooters, " 'Cause ya cannae wear a kilt on a motorcycle!"
Like the great-grand-daddy of the Ruckus, it's a cool naked scoot. But of course, customization of two-wheelers didn't start with chopped Harleys...

Built on a Neracar chassis, Mr Lawson built this in 1948 using a 288cc straight 4 from Mr Haythorn. It had outriggers that dropped under gravity and locked in position. They can just be seen hiding in the rear bodywork.

Awesome!

Mr. Lawson's custom ride reminds me stylistically of one my favorite old scooters, also from the twenties, the Unibus.


I haven't been able to scare up much info on these cute little machines, which have such classic and timeless styling. While there are plenty of cool step-through bikes prior to World War II, which definitely should be classified as scooters, the Unibus gets my vote as the real precursor to Vespas as a stylish machine for personal transportation. They also show how early savy advertisement entered into scooter culture. Indeed these antique adverts are about all the info I could scare up on them.

Well, before I sign off, I want to include a couple more cool Steampunk/Dieselpunk scooters I've come across, though again I forget where I found these...

Above is a Lutz Hummel.
And this is a Monet Goyon Velauto. Check out the wicker vent in front of the engine, and the wicker seat, definitely an idea to emulate if you are considering a Steampunk customization on your scoot.

Well, hopefully I'll be able to scare up some time to post some more of these cool old scoots in the next few days.

Thumpin' Bikes or Dance-Dance Pedal Revolutions

The New York Times has an article and slide-show up about the latest trend for Guyanese and Trinidadian youths in Queens, strapping ginormous stereo systems onto bikes, as in bicycles.

The bikes roar, but the booming sound has nothing to do with engines — because there are no engines. They are ordinary bicycles, not motorcycles, although these contraptions look and sound more like rolling D.J. booths. They are outfitted with elaborate stereo systems installed by the youths.

“This one puts out 5,000 watts and cost about $4,000,” said Nick Ragbir, 18, tinkering with his two-wheeled sound system, with its powerful amplifier, two 15-inch bass woofers and four midrange speakers. It plays music from his iPod and is powered by car batteries mounted on a sturdy motocross bike.

Man, I'm all for crazy custom jobs on vehicles that will "freak the mundanes," from custom paint to covering your car in AOL cds, but this one has got me head scratchin'. Still some of these set ups are kinda cool, and definitely the result of a lot of time and effort. Having just had a birthday, I'm going to try and keep seeing it that way... though my knee-jerk reaction is closer to that of my grandparents whenever one of those cars would roll-by with a stereo that registers on the Richter scale.

Sample Steampunk Bike: The 1914 Aerothruster

This isn't what I planned to post next for Steampunk two-wheeler week, but it is just too cool and too weird to hold back. Plus it is too random for me to tax my brain, coming up with some contrived connection with the upcoming group.
The 1914 Aerothruster, a motor-assisted bicycle with a twist: the motor doesn't power the chain drive or wheel. Nope, that would be too obvious. The inventor in stroke of diabolical genius worthy of a comic book super-villain, decided to make the motor power a propeller that sits behind the rider!
Somehow this never took off... or should I say caught on... or well the fact that I can't come up with a ready expression for market acceptance that doesn't immediately invite death-trap puns, explains the obscurity of this contraption.
Still, if there was ever a vehicle designed to evoke quizzical looks, this is certainly it.
The title link will take you to a blog post on the bike with scans from a magazine article on the bike.
Thanks to Lady Vim on the Brass Goggles Forum

Real Steampunk Motorcycle

There's a great thread currently on vintage-looking motorcycles on the Brass Goggles Forum. Forum member rohorn linked to this beauty from Timeless Motor Company.
The 440cc four-stroke is based on the 1910 Harley Davidson Single belt-driven bike. Basically a complete reproduction with some flash touches like a handmade leather seat, and cast bronze muffler.
And if you look at the picture on the timeless site, this puppy has a pedals... so I guess it is in actuality a monster of a Steampunk Moped.
A fully built one runs about $11k and there are kits available as well.

A Kneeslider article about Timeless.

Moped Hip-Hop

Here's a subculture mashup I would have never predicted, Hard Core Moped kids and Hip-Hop. Stupid me, 'cause these folks make it seem natural. It sure don't seem like they're faking the funk on bein' down with ped.

From the YouTube description:

Video for "Throw a Kit" Performed by Hollywood Holt featuring Million Dollar Mano. The video was shot, directed, and edited by Thunder Horse (Taran Allen, Alex Gvojic).

via Bryce on Modern Vespa

Sweet Recycled Messenger Bag

Orin over at Scootin Old Skool recently posted about these messenger bags from Alchemy Goods. I'm going to need a new bag soon, and these have just risen to the top of my list.

I could laundry list the bags' features, but, well heck, the folks at AG have already done it:

Wicked-durable strap made from two RECYCLED seatbelt straps sewn together
100% waterproof exterior constructed from RECYCLED inner tubes
Multiple internal pockets for books, packages and other items
Internal cell phone pocket sits inside the bag, so it’s easy to hear and totally accessible
T-strap stabilizes load while cycling
Zippered front pocket for wallet or MP3 player
High quality reflective tape for added safety
Internal key clip for bike lock keys or house keys
13 x 8 x 11 inches (and expandable)
Priced at $148

That price is about average for a quality messenger bag, and these look to probably be even more durable. One of the first things to go on cheaper bags I've had has been the waterproofing, which kind of flakes and chips away. I imagine a Timbuk 2 or Chrome bag's lining would last longer than that, but this puppy will be waterproof forevah. I'm intrigued.

Tricumbent Hybrid - Part 1 (Apr 2007)

Tricumbent Hybrid - Part 1 (Apr 2007)

Check out this online article, the first part in what looks to be a fairly indepth documentation of one guys project to build an electric assist recumbent trike. Lots of good detail here on the planning and electronics that go into a project like this.
I'm looking forward to the rest of this article.

via the Make Zine Blog

The Most Expensive Bicycle in Portland...

set Intel consultant and sometime Libertarian candidate Mitch Shults back a cool $13k. Somehow I think this might be a case of penny-foolish and pound-wise, though. With an electric assist motor and aerodynamic fairing, this baby will do 35mph on a flat, 25mph uphill on a 7% grade, and has regenerative braking.
I really think this is (one of) the wave(s) of the future...

"What I think I'm demonstrating here," he says, "is that the notion of a human-electric hybrid vehicle is really a practical alternative to an automobile for most of what I need to do in an urban setting."
So, is he doing it to save the earth?
"If this were to become widespread, it would go a long way toward addressing our global-warming issues, gasoline prices, and most importantly, healthcare issues, because people would have to get some exercise in order to get around."
The same person who designed the Smart Car designed Mitch's bike, but he says the similarities end there. "A Smart Car really isn't that smart in the sense that it still burns gas," he says. "I'm burning bacon and eggs, croissants...and a few electrons...and getting some exercise in the process."

Mitch's bike is a Velomobile.

Art for Engineers

Heather from Cabinet of Wonders sent me a link to Max Chen's site Oily Cog. What a smorgasboard of loveliness! Take this great kinetic sculpture above, titled "Eclipse." In case you are unsure what it does...
It eclipses!

OK, I thought it was cool.

Alright, well how about this, "Astrolab"?

Front side has map of San Francisco. Only the bicycle lanes are shown (no Bay Bridge crossing). Back side has various components. Perimeter has a little prayer.

If this post seems to be very graphics heavy, and text light, well, that's because Oily Cog is that way. (Well, and I'm still fighting a head cold.) Max's stuff is one part steampunk, one part bikepunk, and one part mad tinkerer trying to physically transcend the limits between art, science, and engineering. Sheer genius, and my rantings would only diminish the simple elegance of this stuff.

OK, one more image to try and convince to check this site:

The sidecar leans with the bike, so it rides almost normally. I have carried over 200 pounds with it, and it has accompanied me on three Burningman Festivals. ... The urge to build a sidecar originated from a trip to mainland China as a boy. I saw a very young child riding inside a bamboo bicycle sidecar. Then I found and took home a really nice single sided hub from Cornell HEV. The rest is history.

Sweet Folding Concept Bike

Thomas Owen's prototype One Bike is sure pretty to look at, and I can easily understand how it all might collapse down, but my non-engineer brain can't quite puzzle out how the pedals are connected to the wheel. If this ever made it into production, I could see it becoming the ipod for urban bikers... easy to take on a bus or train, when you get to work, you just stuff it under your desk. When you get home, cram it under the coffee table.

via TreeHugger

Cyclecide: Heavy Pedal Rodeo

Just found this site, via a link on the MAKE blog.
Cyclecide seems to be a lot of things, a collective of bikepunk craftspeople and performance artists, a DIY-aesthetic traveling circus, and of course, a bike rodeo.
Their site doesn't reature any real blow-by-blow tutorials, but it has a lot of pictures that are fun and inspiring. Worth a looksee for those non-motorized gearheads out there.

Pictured above is the Chubacabra, an (obviously) flame-breathing bike. Cool stuff.

The fabulous CHUPACABRA, flagship of the Slouch fleet is a versatile vehicle. Its flailing arms, biting mouth, blinking eyes, & flamethrower make it the perfect ride for urban assault missions or just freaking out some small town locals.

Sweet.

BugE EV

The BugE PEV is a new forward trike kit design. Capable of a maximum speed of 50mph and a range of 40 miles on a charge, this electric trike looks pretty promising. Of course like all electric vehicles, your range decreases as your speed increases, but this puppy sounds like it has just a slight step up in speed and range categories than most electric bikes and scooters out there. The kit is supposed to run around $3K.

I'm really taken by this design, simple and sleek, there is a trunk in the front, and a creative mind could come up with all sorts of ways manage more cargo behind the seat. Designed in Oregon, that fairing really looks like it would perform well against the constant drizzle we see up here in the Pacific NW.

There is a video of the BugE in action here.

Thanks to Treehugger

PacNW Biodiesel Passenger Shuttle

PacNW Biodiesel Passenger Shuttle

Not much more to say than the title. SharedRoute has started a biodiesel fueled passenger shuttle that runs from Portland to Oly to Seattle and back on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Portland to Seattle costs $30, and the shuttles have spaces for four bikes. I have a feeling Olympia riders, being the middle might find the bike slots filled when they get on, though you can make reservations, maybe you can make reservations for your bike? Probably not, since the bikes ride for free. Anyway this is a great idea, click the title link to find out more about schedules and fares.

DIY Steampunk, Ratbike Belt

DIY Steampunk, Ratbike Belt

Here's another sweet little instructable, making a belt out of old bike parts. I'm not really a bike-punk, though those hardcore DIY bike-hacking kids do really inspire me.

Here's another take on the same idea.

so i was sitting around today waiting for a meeting to start and after sweeping the floor in the shop and reading a book about defensive cycling i decided my pants were too loose and i needed a belt...and that one needed to be made immediately...so i went around the shop looking for things to use for a belt and with some insight from other people we came up with what seems to be a damned good belt.

So whether you are an elegant top-hat and tails Steampunk, or a greasy, crusty and patched Bikepunk, here's a sweet little project to add some custom bling to your wardrobe.

E-bikes in China

E-bikes in China

Just found this interesting post on how big electric bicycles are becoming in China. Some interesting observations to be found here.

It’s kind of like when you sit down on the sidewalk in summertime and start staring at the ground, first you see one ant… then a couple more… then you realize the whole ground is swarming with bugs. That’s how electric bikes are in China. Once I started noticing them, I noticed that they’re everywhere and the numbers are growing fast. In 2000, 330,000 were sold in all of China. By 2005, they were selling 10 million a year.Being a graduate student researcher, it’s my job to ask questions that will keep me in school a little while longer (joke^_^), so I starting inquiring into WHY this is such a big phenomenon in China, while in the rest of the developed world, the car is the mode of choice. Well the first obvious reason is that these bikes and the fuel they consumer are dirt cheap. You can buy one for the price of an average cell phone here ($100-$250 USD), and to charge the battery for a month's worth of commuting (3-40 km/day) is a whopping $1.25. Another big reason is that cities have started banning gas powered scooters and motorcycles in some city centers to reduce air pollution. Ebikes came in to fill the void. Another reason is the strong history of bicycle use in China. China has an estimated 450 million bicycles, and most people (besides the extremely poor) have at some point in there life used a bike to go to work or school.

Steampunk Bike

Steampunk Bike

Check out that headlamp! This is easily the coolest thing I've seen this week. And the creator went out in style, riding one of the sweetest custom vehicles of all time, without hurting it or anybody else...

The Boston Daily Globe reported the tragic events that followed:
“The machine was cutting out a lively pace on the back stretch when the men seated near the training quarters noticed the bicycle was unsteady,” the paper said. “The forward wheel wobbled, and then suddenly, the cycle was deflected from its course and plunged off the track into the sand, throwing the rider and overturning.
“All rushed to the assistance of the inventor, who lay motionless beneath his wheel, but as soon as they touched him they perceived that life was extinct,” the paper added. “Dr. Welcott was summoned and after an examination gave the opinion that Mr. Roper was dead before the machine left the track.”
It was later determined that a heart attack killed Roper, who left behind a legacy of steam motorcycles that dated back nearly three decades. His first, on display at the Smithsonian Institution, was built in 1869, nearly 20 years before Gottlieb Daimler created the first internal-combustion motorcycle. About 10 other steam-powered vehicles followed, culminating in this machine, now owned by Robert Boudeman of Richland, Michigan, and on display at the Motorcycle Hall of Fame museum.
In this final design, Roper’s engine consisted of a small boiler over a coal firebox that was good for about 7 miles on each stoking. As the inventor liked to say, “It would climb any hill and outrun any horse.”

via bOINGbOING

Diesel Mopeds?

Diesel Mopeds?

A blogger named Eric Rucker has this thread on his site, speculating on the creation of an open-source design for an 18cc diesel engine for motorizing bicycles that would provide 200-400 miles per gallon and could possibly be run off of vegetable oil. The thread is getting a little stale, but as the comment below shows, has some definite upsides, were it to be worked out. Most of the commentary and links here are too technical me, not being an engine... um, engineer, but I'd sure like to encourage anyone who has the skills for this type of thing to take a look.

- As to the potential market, it could be huge. I can see the millions of peasants and lowly paid city dwellers around the world with mild to temperate weather, who make minimum wage and who must commute long distances by human pedaling bykes or worst, in public buses, with fares eating deeply into their meager salaries and taking a lot of commuting time. For these people, a very high mpg, high torque at low rpm (less wear, safer speeds) micro diesel, purchaseable thru low interest micro-credits, could make a huge difference in quality of life (more time for family or own micro businesses (micro-taxis, small cargo deliveries, etc), with increased safety (flywheel solid state generator for lights/radio). I for one, would just enjoy puttering along on leasurely drives at 200-300 mpg- And then there is the possibility of using bio-diesels. Oh boy. Just love the thought of it. Anonymous commentor