Diamonite Electrathon America Racer

[Functional Artist]

Now, let's work on the steering wheel/shaft/pitman arm assembly (just mocked up...for now)

Steering wheel settin' on the workbench
...with the pitman arm at the other end

Double checkin' "she" is all squared up

Another view

Inside/under dash view of the installation

* Notice the excess FG cloth
...from bondin' the hood to the monocoque
...hangin' down along the front edge?

Overall view

Overall view w/steering wheel "flipped" up

Under the "nose" view of lower steering shaft/bushing/pitman arm area

 

[Functional Artist]

Measurements
Side to side (~21")

Steering wheel center to floor (~14")

 

[Functional Artist]

"Next up" the, swing arm

Today we are workin' on
...the motor mountin' plate
...& sprocket alignment

The front (drive) sprocket & rear (driven) sprocket have to (MUST) be pretty well aligned...or you WILL have issues

The easiest "way" that I have found to do this is to
..."clip" a straight edge to the rear sprocket
...& then, bring the motor/sprocket "into alignment"

Lookin' from the other direction
...makin' sure everything "looks good"
View attachment 163162
Did some markin' (where the motor mounting bolts "go")
...& then, "cut" some "slots" (for chain adjustability)

 

[Grizzlymi]

Man, when do find time to work on anything else?!?! Keep up the good work and should be finished in no time.

 

[Functional Artist]

Man, when do find time to work on anything else?!?! Keep up the good work and should be finished in no time.

Hey Grizz,

Thanks my friend
I'ma hopin' ta do at least a first test ride by the fourth of July
...yea...in (4) days

Yesterday I only towed (2) cars (summer is always the "slow season" for towing)
...a 1968 T-Bird, that broke down
...& a Equinox, from the Toledo Police Impound lot

In between (while "on call") my brother helped me remove the cabs
...off of (2) old Isuzu NPR parts trucks, for scrappin' purposes

We also, cut the longest frame, of the (2), in half
...& then, stacked 'em up for scrappin' on another "load"

&
I also, welded the motor mountin' plate on the swing arm for the racer

Before: (patient all prepped for the procedure)

After: (good-n-solid)

But, then, I took the rest of the day off (~8:00 until bed time)
...& just layed on the couch
...in the AC

"cause it's been soooooooo hot
...yesterday was 93* & had a feels like of ~105*
...& today was ~95* with a feels like of ~107*
...&/so, I'ma pretty much "done for the day" today too

Have ya ever looked thru this old thread?
...it may be interestin' to ya

https://www.diygokarts.com/community/threads/fresh-truck.40745/

 

[Whitetrashrocker]

Lol.
Welcome to my world you northerners.



Been like this for a month and we still got at least 2 more.

 

[Functional Artist]

Hey WTR,

Well...this is the Mid-west/Great Lakes region
...& we just ain't used to it
&
I don't like
...as it'sa "beatin' me up"
...& it'sa holdin' up progress

 

[Whitetrashrocker]

Sí señor.
I lived in Chicago for 20 years. I dont miss the humidity.
Sounds like you need some outdoor shop lights so you can work when it gets cool in the evenings.

Did you have all your electrical stuff sorted for this?

 

[Functional Artist]

Hey WTR,

Yup, I think so

I gots a 48V 1,000 MY-1020 motor (~1.2HP)
...a 48V 30A Speed Controller
...a 48V 50A Circuit Breaker
...a PZEM-051 power meter
...& a few different 48V Lithium battery packs, ta choose from (& gonna make some more/of my own...too)

So, we should be "good to go"
...just gotta get 'em mounted on the racer
...&/then, connected up

* Many pics & lots of info...soon to come...on the electronics part(s)

 

[Functional Artist]

I wasa able to (in between cooldown breaks)
...pretty much finish up the swing arm (mainly made up a chain for it)

Checked for "functionality"

Then, even got the "bright idea" to weigh it (for scientifical purposes)

This entire swing arm assembly looks ta weigh ~32 lbs.

* WOW!
IIRC
...that's about as much as, the entire monocoque weighed

 

[Edwin Spangler]

I lived in Chicago for 20 years. I dont miss the humidity.

Lol cant imagine why youd leave...

 

[Functional Artist]

Tidyin' little things up

Like tacking the front axle to the side mounts
...ta "lock" 'em in place
...for good weldin'
...when back on the workbench

Got the patient, all prepped for the procedure (ta protect the FG)

Before

After

I used a rag ta help kool 'em down
...after the procedure (also, ta protect the FG)

 

[Grizzlymi]

I keep forgetting about your tow service. lol. And yeah, this heat and humidity is my nemesis! The temp here today is 99! My plant felt like 200! lol. In side my garage a cool 92 with a few floor fans blowing. My wife has been in the house working from home this week in the chilly 70's. I'm a garage guy, so I handle the heat, but can't wait for the 80's. And I hate anything above 75. Bonus is, we are on shut down next week so work for me!!!!! Well, I'm redoing our bathroom and painting the new 10 interior doors I installed over the winter. I'll work in A/C any day!!! And the wife will be happy.

Post a link to that first test ride.

 

[Grizzlymi]

Lol.
Welcome to my world you northerners.

View attachment 163184

Been like this for a month and we still got at least 2 more.

We never get the dry heat here, it's 99 in Detroit and humid. I need a beer............

 

[Denny]

We never get the dry heat here, it's 99 in Detroit and humid. I need a beer............

And a bullet proof vest.

 

[Grizzlymi]

And a bullet proof vest.

I have 2. Seriously. lol.

I work in the city, but live in the burbs. Company has a policy, no weapons or firearms on company property. Can't even keep them in our vehicles. Who's going to check the vehicles? Decades so far and no checks.