daneellard

Engineering porn!

Pete; I simply love my e-bike. Got it from http://e-motionevc.co.uk/store/ who are very helpful and really know their stuff. I have had 2 bikes from them; a Battery Bike, Diamond now replaced by a KTM Macina Nu-Vinci. I know that they have previously helped people with mobility problems. As for myself I say it is a matter of more scenery per calorie! The technology is improving all the time. The KTM has double the range of the old Battery Bike with 4 levels of assistance and 'infinitely' variable, step-less gearing. It has an 'automatic' mode whereby you set your preferred pedaling rate (cadence) and it smoothly varies the gearing to suit. Just did 25 miles on it today, very good fun.

Pete, I wish you all the best and speedy and full recovery.

New starter received from Parajet today; fitted and all is OK again. Does anyone have recommendation about lubricating the Bendix and or the starter ring?

Will do. Thanks.

Blimey! Bailey, rightly or wrongly are taking a knock to their reputation. Not good for business. I'm going to jump in on this one and I will probably regret it. Here goes: I am a customer for many things, (not yet PJ or Bailey) and good service is what I want and what will keep me as a loyal customer. If I phone a manufacturer who is not able to provide a customer response let alone service (for whatever reason) I would expect to be directed by, say a recorded message on the unanswered line, to direct me to, say a web site where I can find my nearest dealer. I might find this redirection a tad irritating but I'd be happy to get to the appropriate source of customer service. What would piss me off no end would be being left high and dry without any response even if I 'should' have rung a dealer and not the manufacturer. We punters are fickle and impulsive creatures perhaps phoning the first number we think of. We might need guiding to the right contact, in real time. Bailey might not have the capacity to provide excellent customer service themselves but they need their customers to experience it. This need not be a problem generating, as it does, negative noise on the interweb, undermining a reputation. They should not rely on punters phoning the best number for service. A simple phone message and effective web site is all that is required.

Yes. Thanks for the advice. It's PJ for me and the duff item will sit in the garage just in case . . . . like almost everything in there!

No clues in the sky. Imagine meeting this when launching / flying! http://www.kptv.com/story/27740548/dust-devil-rips-up-tents-sends-people-scurrying-at-rose-bowl

Um!? Now I am not so sure about a refurb'. At the beginning of this whole episode the starter pawl failed to disengage and fly back after releasing the start button, (the motor had not fired, just stopped up against compression). On removal from the motor the the starter seemed to be jammed but rotated freely after a bit of a prod and the Bendix then could easily be run up and down the helix. I don't want to spend the quoted £100 for a refurb' if the Bendix is going jam or cause the same electrical problem. I could easily end up spending more than a new one would cost and even if it worked I would not have confidence in it. I need to get on the phone to Burghfield methinks.

Thanks. I emailed Burghfield and StarterMotorMan yesterday. I am not expecting any replies today! But, I have decided to get a new starter from Parajet, (they are back in stock now after some supply problems it seems). I am still looking for someone to refurbish the duff one to keep as a spare so long as it is not stupid money.

A huge thank you to Andy T for skillfully narrowing down my mystery problem to a F****d starter motor . Although I am happy to clean it up in the hope that it will return to life, I will never have 100% confidence in it now. So; I am looking for a competent / professional refurbisher or a supplier for an FIEM MG 14556 motor (There is a US firm but I'd prefer somewhere nearer home). I can always call Parajet but I just wonder what other options there might be. Anyone out there got one for sale?

George has done a great job of recording and reporting on his first flight.

Hi, Swindon (SN3) based trainee here. Hope to see you up there next suitable day. John.

Gone home leaving Simon with a collection of soggy wings.

5,000ft init?