Diamonite Electrathon America Racer

[Functional Artist]

Gotta make us some DIY swing arm bushings

First a quick cleanin' of the bushin' holder(s)

Then stuck a section of some Hi-Performance 1/2" rubber fuel hose (the kool red kind)
...thru the bushin' holder

* Fits in the bushin' holder quite nicely

Nice-n-clean trimmin'

Kinda like this

Then, inserted a section of 1/2" steel tube

Like this

After trimmin'
...looked like this

* Seems ta be a "right pro-fessional lookin' (3/8" ID x 1" OD x 3" long) bushin"...if I do say so myself

 

[Functional Artist]

Next, we needed some swing arm mounting brackets

* Just a piece of 1/8" x 1" steel
...bent in ta a U-shaped bracket
...with a nice-n-flat area for boltin' to the racer

QC inspector Ducky watchin' a test fit

Theys look & mount, ta the trailing arm/bushings about like this

 

[Functional Artist]

I'm kinda leary about just drillin' a bunch of holes in the FG monocoque...just yet
...so, I'ma gonna do most of the aligning on the "hump" of the mold

Another view

I noticed a couple of issues:

1.) There needs ta be more clearance on (1) side of the wheel, due to the sprocket
...so, the swing arm needs ta be off set to keep the wheel in the middle of the racer

2.) The swing arm may be a bit too long ta "fit" under/inside of the rear of the monocoque

 

[Functional Artist]

Made sure the "hump" wasa level

Then, made sure the swing arm wasa level
...& at the proper height

Then, established the center of the monocoque

Used a string, to "project" the center line down & across the rear wheel

Kinda like this

* Notice the offset?

 

[Functional Artist]

Workin' on gettin' the swing arm mounting brackets mounted

Aligned & (temp) mounted with (1) screw (on each side)

* Notice the indicator markings, on each bracket
...& the corresponding marks on the backin' plate?

They are to help maintain the orientation
...& so, the brackets don't get "mixed up" (left & right)

Then, test fit the swing arm
...just ta be sure

After double checkin'
...I installed the other screw
...'cause "this is where they gonna be"

 

[Grizzlymi]

I love the homemade bushing idea!

 

[Functional Artist]

I love the homemade bushing idea!

Thanks...my friend

Seems better & a bit more professional than just a bolt thru a coupla steel holes
...& the rubber insert, even gives the "junction" a bit of a cushion-ing-effect

 

[Functional Artist]

Flipped 'er over for a quick looksie

Another view

* Anyone notice the suspension pad
...is suspendin' the racer

 

[Whitetrashrocker]

I must admit thats the coolest wheelbarrow jacuzzi I've ever seen.


Looking good

 

[Grizzlymi]

You def make the best use of your time. Coming along great, looking forward to seeing this idea you have completed.

 

[Whitetrashrocker]

You def make the best use of your time. Coming along great, looking forward to seeing this idea you have completed.

His username definitely checks out.

 

[Grizzlymi]

His username definitely checks out.

Indeed it does.

 

[Edwin Spangler]

I probably missed it as I miss everything but what are you going to use between the foam and upper metal area of the swingarm where it meets the foam. Wasnt there talk about a 'load spreader'? <- See I dont miss everything....

Also wondering if angling the 'load spreader' slightly so its not perfectly parrellel with the foam. I bet that would give it the smallest amount of extra cushion. Think: angle the 'load spreader' towards 90 degree/up-down (not actually 90 but in that direction) so the top of the spreader meets the foam at an angle. I think it would provide a little more cusion as I said but also a bit of a progressive dampening feeling depending on how well the foam compresses.

 

[ezcome-ezgo]

Are you going to "spring load" the fasteners so they don't rattle around under compression?

 

[Functional Artist]

I must admit thats the coolest wheelbarrow jacuzzi I've ever seen.


Looking good

Hey WTR,

Wait til ya see it "flyin' down the road"
...& thank you, my friend

 

[Functional Artist]

His username definitely checks out.

Functional Artist is my name
...& makin' kool lookin' stuff
...that also, does something is my game

 

[Functional Artist]

I probably missed it as I miss everything but what are you going to use between the foam and upper metal area of the swingarm where it meets the foam. Wasnt there talk about a 'load spreader'? <- See I dont miss everything....

Also wondering if angling the 'load spreader' slightly so its not perfectly parrellel with the foam. I bet that would give it the smallest amount of extra cushion. Think: angle the 'load spreader' towards 90 degree/up-down (not actually 90 but in that direction) so the top of the spreader meets the foam at an angle. I think it would provide a little more cusion as I said but also a bit of a progressive dampening feeling depending on how well the foam compresses.

Hey ES,

A suspension pad mount (not yet made &/or shown) will bolt to the swing arm via them upper ride height adjustment bolts

I did a quick "push down test"
...& the suspension pad actually provides some cushioning

I'ma gonna have ta make a video
...ta show you guys, how it performs "in action"

* Just goin' parallel...for now
...but, maybe do some testing...in the future

 

[Functional Artist]

Are you going to "spring load" the fasteners so they don't rattle around under compression?

Hey EZ,

Well, wasa definately gonna use Loc-Nuts
...& even thought about maybe installing some kinda "pad" (saddle blanket) under the "saddles" (on both sides)
But
Please explain...more about "spring loaded(ing)" the fasteners

 

[Functional Artist]

Swing arm length test
...& it looks ta be ~21" from the bottom of the "hump" to the back edge of the wheel

FG monocoque (rear area) length test
...& it looks ta be ~19" from the bottom of the "hump" to the back edge of the wheel

Well...Heck??

 

[Master Hack]

You need to talk to Terry about leaning how to weld improperly.

took T's $0.99 welding master class
...should I ask for my moneys back?

little slow here....
The $1.99 class covers blindfolded welding in detail!
you were just too cheap!