1/19/10 - This is about
where we are as shown at left. We haven't installed the legs yet
because we have to turn it over again to weld the bottom.
We have no idea if it's going to work. It could collapse.
The anticipation is tremendous. The guys in the shop are constantly
asking us about it, "What are you building again? A walking
bicycle? Why? Oh, nevermind."
That's
me hard at work on Harriet. Actually, that's Ben, 3.5 years old.
The
two rear wheels, assuming the bike works, could be replaced with
two more sets of legs for a total of twelve. To bad nine won't
work now (It'll tip over), unless we turn the seats around and
face backwards.
Saturday, 1/30/10, We hooked up both pedals and tried to walk,
but the axle of the right side slips. It seems to be in two parts
and the parts slip. I suppose this is not a problem when you have
spokes, but I welded the drive gear on the side opposite the cassette
and that's not working. I imagine welding the axle will destroy
it. I will try that today.
3/1/10 - Quick Update. During
February, Robert Best came up from Fremont twice with his computer
to model the bike with Solid Works. He is planning on building
a walking vehicle. His ideas are original and creative. His model
in the computer was really beautiful right down to the welds in
the joints, however the program didn't really find the errors
causing poor walking. But it did confirm that the frame needed
to be tilted forward.
Most of the dimensions of the parts were within
a 1/16" of being the same. The connecting rods had some large
differences. Plus the 1" schedule 80 aluminum looked too
small. It seemed to be bending under the weight. We switched the
connecting rods around until we found a combination that made
the right side not fall so badly. I remade one of the connecting
rods with a different design and 1 1/2" schedule 40. It looks
so much better, I am going to remake them all just for looks.
However now the decision must be made as to
weather we change the geometry to a slightly better step pattern.
This would be the time to do it.
In March 2010 We rebuilt many of the parts and Harriot still
did not walk very well. It a rough ride and strenuous to pedal.
I'm sure we could motorize it but the wow factor doesn't seem
to be there. Or maybe it's the reqard feedback loop isn't working
properly. We seem to be punished by Harriot for rebuilding her.
So we loaded it up on the trailer and took it home to the back
yard. We brought the big couch down to the shop. The big couch
more fun. We will either try Harriot out again some day or we
will cut it up and make a weight rack out of it. We rode her down
the street one time for about fifty feet or so before another
part broke. But it wasn't fun to ride. We don't feel like it will
ever be fun. That's the story, just in case anyone ever reads
this.My other friend also gave up on his walking vehicle. But
Matt Sponer is still hard at it, last I heard.
