The Speed of Life

Weeeell.....this year is certainly getting away from me!

Moving to part time work 2 days a week from Dec 17th 2013 has had a dramatic effect on life in general, but especially on just how fast the weeks fly by. I really didn't expect the massive change in my perception of time. When I was full time, my whole life seemed to be revolving around my job and that made me quiet unhappy I think in hindsight, because I really don't enjoy my job. But now those 2 days at work seem to be so much easier than before and work has become the distraction from my life instead of the opposite. With so much to do at home, work is really an inconvenience that's rather annoying. I guess this really means that I should look for some-other kind of work that perhaps is more appealing to me, but that's harder than you think. When you get into your forties and find that your current profession is unpalatable for one reason or another, it's difficult to make any major changes. You start to find that you are about 15 years older than most other people making major job changes and that you could begin to be the older person in most interviews. The interviewers will inevitably ask you why you are changing jobs at your age, especially if you're changing professions. This leads me at least to doubt myself and wonder why indeed would you hire me and not some much younger go-getter! Maybe I'm just worn out but I really wouldn't want to go through that again. With three days at home, I could possibly find something other than fixing caravans that would pay better.....we shall have to see.

Anyways

Slippery out!

Motorised Bicycle - Part 2 The Fine Tuning

Well, got the beast going! A little learning curve involved, however once going it's not tooo bad... For the advertised 80cc, it's way below the power I anticipated... Not sure if that's just because the engine is so agriculturally made with little development behind it when compared to a motorcycle from Honda for example, or just because it's not yet run in....(documentation says about 500km), hmmmmm not sure if the whole thing will last that far :) Anyways, with the mindset that it is a "motor assisted" bicycle and not a motorcycle, I have found it to be great! With a little pedaling it screams along. Feels quiet unsafe at speed. Think the bicycle front end is pretty crap...may have to change the forks... Pics sure to follow soon :) Slippery Out!

Received the engine kit via Aus Post. Unpacked and fitted rear wheel sprocket to bike wheel. Began to fit engine to bike frame, hmmmm had to make up a front engine mount as the bike I am using has a large Alloy frame that the standard engine mount cannot fit. Worked out a mount, now can continue fitting.... Pics to follow...stay tuned..

New Project - Motorized Bicycle

Ok, so the lowcost project is officially dead! Way too much money required and not to mention time :) Now on to better things...like a 80cc petrol motor on my bike :)...for getting to work of course.... So far the motor has been ordered on Ebay, so more to come...stay tuned

Permission Granted!!

I received back from DOT my permission to build letter, and it seems to be the "normal" one and not the dreaded new version that I heard about at the last meeting of the "Sports Cars Builders of WA" club. So next thing to do is find a sympathetic engineer and sound him out about my plans for my build.

Slippery Out!

Added another diff to the locost project collection!

Managed to score another diff out of an old Cortina MK2 from a friend of a friend :)

Dont think I can use the axle but the diff centre seems to fit the Timken Escort Axel I already have, and it is a welded one....not sure if thats any good but is interesting all the same...

Slippery Out!

Permission to Build Letter

I have written my "build" letter to the DPI, and will post tomorrow, after hearing that the process for permission and build construction is changing and the sooner I submit my letter the better.

Slippery Out!

I finally joined the "Sports Car Builders Club of WA"

Yes I finally did it, joined the club and bought the manual they have published. It seemed like a great bunch of like minded guys, all obsesed with building a clubbie! I had a good time mostly listening to all the information that came from the discussions that went around. There were about 5 clubbies there and some were really nice. I hope to go back and attend meetings when ever I can. The manual is full of useful information about the whole process, and seems to be very good.

Thats it for now...

Slippery Out!

Trying out my kde blogging client

The Locust Project has begun!

Yes I am finally seriously beginning to collect the various parts from donor cars for my locost build "Locust" or lotus 7 type of sports car. I will post pics of parts as I gather them...

So far I have a couple of questionable axle / diffs both escort / cortina, an escort steering rack, radiator, mag wheels, one piece tail shaft, 2 diff centers. All for a total of $50....trying to keep the costs down to keep to the locost theme of my build. I also found one slightly damaged front wheel guard.

I plan to attend this months meeting of the wa sports car builders club this coming thursday, to join the club and get a copy of their book on how to get a clubbie / locost registered in WA. They do good work and I would be silly not to take advantage of their knowledge and experience in Perth. I will post re my experience at the club.

Thats it for now.....

Slippery Out!