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?

What Stevie & ScoobySnacks said . . . I knew before reading them anyway . . . . . honest . . . . believe me I am a ???

Excellent! Bloody well done.

O.K. so the weather and my poor (but improving)fitness level are conspiring to minimise my wing in the air time and what I need now is practice, practice, practice. Knowledge is one thing but flying the wing is essentially a physical skill that needs repetition to get the right muscles and synapses working in harmony. (Steady on there!) To date my commitment, apart from the course fee, has amounted to no more than buying some chinagraph pencils, gloves, a helmet and a map! BUT NOW..... . . . . . . . . . I've gone and bought a motor! A 2nd hand Parajet, Titanium Compact! I know that 'wing first' makes more sense but an opportunity came along and I couldn't (didn't want to) resist. I am not flying yet but this feels like a significant milestone along the way, even if it is a purchase and not an achievement. My enthusiasm has been stoked!

Missed some good days recently by being away in Edinburgh. Wednesday a nice day except for the thermals; usual wind from nine to nil (whatever) and wobbling through 90 degrees. RAF Simon tried the air above the field and did not like it! Getting it and keeping it there for longer than before. Control inputs verging on automatic. Next objective is to be facing forward with the wing above me, (running?!?) i.e. reverse and twist and/or forward launch. Getting lighter and fitter and I am very sure that this helps enormously. Day 6.5

Best part of a full day; much better than the 1/2 days I've been having. I felt that I was learning. i.e stuff going from conscious efforts to muscle memory whatever. As ever the wind was playing silly buggers. Backing & veering through 90 degrees and strength changing more rapidly than I have experienced; e.g. wing launched lustily in a good breeze and settling overhead only to drop out of a still sky. All part of the learning process but it can conspire to annoy. Oh for a full day, (not too hot), with a steady, light wind. Then I think I could really progress. Day 6

10 mins per litre! Really? That's only 100 mins on a full (legal) 10 litre tank. Limits the XC possibilities somewhat. It isn't really that bad is it?

I am wearing out Google Translate

Bloody hell; Android is THAT popular!

Managed to grab 1/2 a day of OK'ish wind. Otherwise it's been way too windy & gusty of late; I've been getting withdrawal symptoms. Kept with non-clipped in ground handling (as advised by Simon). Actually managed to keep the wing aloft for a (for me) considerable time, several times. As ever of late the wind was building and come midday was becoming too problematical ........ & I was shagged out. So just the 1/2 day again. Felt I'd achieved something though. Day 5

Thanks Simon. Here's one Android user! Eaten that fish yet?