Headlights for bicycles!

I purchased and installed the Dyanamo Retro Classic Chrome Headlights last week.  Now cars can see me in the dark and maybe I can see ahead in the dark. $42 plus retail, $29 on sale on amazon.com.  Note that the bracket is installed backwards to fit the curve of the PVC, making it sturdier with no opportunity to shake or vibrate.

Honda Dream Machine Event

FINALLY! I did the first trek to work on the Dreamcycle. Three miles of sidewalk, crosswalks, city streets and residential cut-throughs. It wasn't as hard as I feared and only took twenty to thirty minutes. I entered it into the Honda Dream Machine event, an event for Honda workers to display their custom cars, classics, and anything and everything they have worked on. Those Honda gear heads are really into cars! (and motorcycles). They appreciated the uniqueness and effort involved in the Dreamcycle.

 Off to the races! Er...display circle.

I scraped a wall next to the sidewalk on the way home and broke the connection of the tie rods to the steering wheel. Pushed it back in and went on. It would fall out.... repeat. Only had a half mile to go so I made it. Screwed it back together the next day.
I discovered through this journey, by the excessive tire wear, that the wheels are not aligned straight. The tie rod that I need to adjust seems to be stubborn and I will have to buy a vice grip to turn the tie rod so that it adjusts its length by threading into the end adjust nuts.

Locking Trunq carrier

Built a frame for the trunk floor.

Plastic tie it to the frame and tie locking Trunq wet suit and surfing wax and trivia carrier. Off to the Memorial Day picnic!

Power to the Cycle!

I can't believe it's been so long! It's been hectic, busy, and ridiculously busy. I have been using the Dreamcycle for errands around the neighborhood. Pedaling seemed easier after HIIT classes for some strange reason. (High Intensity Interval Training) I added a bugle horn and strapped a rearview mirror on the driver post. Now back to serious shopping for an electrical assist. I'm going to keep it Federally street legal - cannot exceed 750 watts and 20 mph. If it includes disk brakes, that would be a big plus. I'm not real confident coming down a hill, pressing hard on my flimsy lever brakes and stopping the heavy Dreamcycle. The prices range from $400 to $3500! There's quite a lot to look at in terms of brands and features. My short list:

Greenhornet
Magic Pie
Pegasus Power Systems
Ebike
Ridekick (actually a little trailer that pushes you)
Stokemonkey
Heinzmann

More studying! Back with details and decisions.

Bicycle shop tuneup

I chickened out of pedaling to a reccomended bicycle shop 3.5 miles away. It could break down, it's along busy roads and I don't know yet if I can pedal it 3.5 miles. A neighbor that passed by my garage while I was working on it offered to use her pickup truck to take it to the shop. After coordinating schedules, the bike has been in the shop and professionally tuned! They had to replace the gear cable, saying it was the wrong kind, and replace something in the brake spring. Instead of itemizing parts and labor, they just made it $50.00. Neighbor Dorothy and I rode it around the parking lot for a test. Looking good. Will test it more this weekend. Thanks, Dorothy! Thanks Twins Bike Shop! (1842 Pacific Coast Highway, Lomita, CA 90717 310-257-1350)

Repair broken seat support

Note: Do not use computer furniture particle board for seat supports! I broke one while pedaling around. I bought some hardwood board (maple) to replace the two supports. Next note: drill sufficient pilot holes or you will strip the screw before the screw will turn in the hard wood.

Cut wood to size. Drill pilot holes. Screw into seat crossbars at a distance apart to match the seat bottom attached boards. Cut industrial strength velcro to size. Peel and stick. Attache seat!

Secure outside wheel support

Since the outside support is not glued into the PVC, it came loose as the bike was used. I didn't glue it because you need to be able to remove the wheel in case of flats or wheel changing. So I secured it with a screw that can be unscrewed to remove the wheel.