Did some work on the drivetrain, trying to get closer to testing the motor, chains, sprockets, jackshafts, bearings, gearing, rear hub, etc. I made the front jackshaft, which has the big sprocket driven by the motor, then turns a small sprocket which then drives the sprocket on the rear jackshaft. This front jackshaft is made from a 3/4 bolt, which I had to grind a groove into for the keyway, for the sprocket keys. It’s ready to install.

I also made one final spacer (black UHMW) for the rear hub, which helps holds the wheel bearing/race together. I greased the bearing, and assembled the rear hub. It’s finally ready for install into the rear frame tube, so I can cut that rear chain to length etc.

I’ve had the classic Brakes Blues. I like making stuff move, not making it stop! Anyways, got a few things done, or at least planned.

First off, I needed a way to keep the rear hub and sprocket centered inside the rear frame tube, so I had to go to the big guns. A friend of mine, Keith, from way back in school is now a machinist. I got a wheel bearing to go around the 1″ shaft of the hub, and had him make me a nylon sleeve to match the outside of the bearing race, and the inside of the rear frame tube (thanks Keith!!). Here it is sorta layed out:

Next I am workin on the rear brakes. The wheel is so small, it’s hard to get a caliper inside of it. So I’m making a sort of hub to go on the other side of the wheel, which will hold the brake rotor. In this pic, a bike sprocket is showing where the brake rotor will be.
Gonna weld the big washers to the piece of tube, have it bolt to the wheel with the same bolts that hold the hub on the other side.

I made the mount to support the front of the engine cover so it’s in its final position. I layed some wax paper on the engine cover, put body filler on the bottom of the front half of the seat, and smashed it on to create the curve of the engine cover.

After 2 more applications of some body filler and a little sanding it’s lookin pretty good, ready for some final sanding and small area filling.

I got a little tired of the raw steel look of the frame, so I sanded the light surface rust and sprayed a coat of primer to see what areas need some clean up before paint. And just cause it looks cool.

I cut the access hole in the back of the frame, to where I can put the chain on the rear sprocket. The hub ended up the perfect length, with the sprocket centered as seen, and the wheel also centered on the frame. Need to make a few wheel spacers and get the bearings installed where the hub goes into the frame tube.

Next up I need to cut the chain to length to go around those sprockets.

Got a little more done on the seat, doing some sanding, shaping, some body filler and set everything up to see how it’s looking.

Here you can see the seat compared to the real one I’m using as a reference.

Fitting the seat:

And here’s how it’s looking, which can also be seen on the Current State page.

Started making the seat out of wood, to then make a silicon mold out of, and then be able to cast the seat in hard rubber.

Also, still getting the engine cover smoother and smoother, ever so gradually..

I also cut the hub shaft to length, and left a piece on the end to act as a keyway, in addition to the setscrew and probably another small keyway with standard removeable key

While doing random small stuff like centering shafts in the center of tubes, I’ve been working more on the body lines and smoothing of the engine cover. First thickened epoxy, sanding, some primer to see the low spots, then starting the body filler..

Engine cover is still getting body filler and sanded. I drilled the holes in the back for it to attach to the seat post. Next need to figure out some more mounting locations. You can also see where the pull starter will be sorta hidden, yet still in a good spot to pull it.

I also started mocking up the seat with foam.  Going to be more refined and made of rubber later, but getting an idea of how big I want it.

eE48v on Steering test