Much has been done in less than a week [07/10 – 07/14] and more since my 06/30 return from Ashford, Connecticut [quad disassembly and & shipment of the rear-end to Ashley Guy, UTC].
Daily Archives: July 14, 2010
Fargo ~ Mods & Tweaks ~ 07/14 Update 9
Since my return from Ashford, Connecticut I have completed several tasks, with the goal being system weight reduction and efficiency. If you have missed an article, follow the links below:
- July 14, 2010 Fargo ~ Mods & Tweaks ~ Hydration
- July 14, 2010 Fargo ~ Mods & Tweaks ~ Power—from Box to Bag
- July 13, 2010 Fargo ~ Mods & Tweaks ~ Power, AOK
- July 13, 2010 Fargo ~ Mods & Tweaks ~ Power Box
- July 12, 2010 Fargo ~ Mods & Tweaks ~ solar panels
- July 12, 2010 Fargo ~ Mods & Tweaks ~ the handlebars
- July 12, 2010 Fargo ~ Mods & Tweaks ~ Next up—the horn
- July 11, 2010 Fargo ~ Mods & Tweaks [Lighting 3]
- July 10, 2010 Fargo ~ Mods & Tweaks [Lighting 2]
- July 10, 2010 Fargo ~ Mods & Tweaks [Lighting 1]
At this point, I do not have a specific project that is “up next.” These are on my list. Some will be completed before the end of the month.
- Receive and setup the additional DiNotte lights for stop and turn signals/hazard warning.
- Order Schwalbe Kojak tires as a lighter weight , faster replacement tires for the Schwalbe Marathon Supremes.
- Receive and install the Utah Trike modified rear-end [ride as a naked quad].
- Ship the cage to Ashley for modification.
- Continue my work with Michele Poehler on the use of fabric in place of the Lexan, except for the windshield. Find a way to integrate the Andy Styner Graphic.
- Continue exploration of a misting system for evaporative cooling.
- Consider, and maybe test, a lighter weight [less amp-hour SLA battery]. I know my current system works and works well. Now I’ll run the iPhone from it. Plus my Garmin Nuvi 760. These are key systems for traveling in unknown territory and were key to my navigating in the northeast. The greatest challenge, again was lodging information from the POI list. Distance and time work for automobiles and not for relatively slow HPVs.
Fargo ~ Mods & Tweaks ~ Hydration 2
Very minor weight savings here. I began the tour with the Sip-Stream Hydration System in my Arkel Catrike Bags [one of which now has my solar setup]. Using the system within the bags presented 2 problems—albeit not a stopper: 1) I would only get 2/3 of the liquid out at the angle the bottle rested in the bags; and, 2) I get some spillage in the bag as I placed refilled bottles in the bags. The minor weight savings is the removal of the PVC tubing that I used to stabilize the system. Of course, I discarded those early on in the tour. I was discarding ounces. It seemed to not matter.
![Outside mounting [I should have used my clean bottles]](http://northcarolinacyclist.files.wordpress.com/2010/07/crw_1511-crw_.jpg "Outside mounting [I should have used my clean bottles]")
Now, the Sip-Stream Hydration System is mounted on the quad’s wheel stays. First, I must say, I distain white plastic bottles on cycles. It is just a “me” thing. But, I need the bottles as vertical as possible and prefer to have them on the quad, even when the cage is not attached. This setup facilitates that. I just have to ride to see how well they empty and to determine if there are other issues. Once the cage and rear-quarter panel is in place the “white plastic bottles” should be masked my the panels. Then the question will be ease of access in placing a refilled bottle into the Sip-Stream Cage. We shall see…
