E2 SFK energy efficient bearings

  • Thread starter Thread starter lemonjelly
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You don't understand Bob.

The classic billy cart comprises of a 2x2 front axle, crudely chopped away at the ends to accomodate a large(ish) ball bearing, secured firmly with a handfull of bent-over 3" nails.  A 4x2 builds the backbone onto which the front axle is "attached" by a rusty 1/2" bolt and nut, along with a couple of large, preferably rusty, washers.  The axle is only attached loosely and a loop of rope/string fixed to either end takes care of the steering.  The rear solid axle also carries a pair of ball bearings attached in a similar mode to the front, only this axle doesn't swivel.  A bit of chip board or masonite affords adequate seating.  All you then need is a steep hill and large enough balls and away you go!  Crikey, how often I hurt myself, and others, with these contraptions is unbelievable.

What you've got there isn't a billy cart, that's the fuckin' Bluebird!! :D

SFC-Bob,

No, nobody from 883 racing, although we did adjust the wheel bearings on the loose side.  The guys doing the Yamaha Cup, first XS400, then 350 YPVS were always investigating how to squeeze another 0.26km/h from their machines.  The bikes were so equal and rider skill usually was enough for the limited performance of the bikes, any outside chance was quickly siezed!

piet
 
2 pairs of pram wheels (with white tyres) and axles nailed to 4 x 2, then one bolt (or nail) to make steering head. Clothes rope as reins to steer. Rear axle nailed to 4 x 2 and that nailed to 4 x 2 central 'chassis'.
 
WHen I was a kid, we (me, my brother and the kid next door) built our cart with proper king-pin and tie rod steering (with the aid of the kid next door's dad, who had a welder). The rest of the cart was still a crappy wooden frame with a box on it. The reason for abandoning the traditional steering with the lump of 4 x 2 on a central pivot was its inherent instability at speed. It used to get out-of-control tank-slappers that often ended up throwing the pilot down the road on his arse. Nobody had any protective clothing in those days so the best way to avoid gravel-rash was to fix the steering.  :D
 
Grant said:
2 pairs of pram wheels (with white tyres) and axles nailed to 4 x 2, then one bolt (or nail) to make steering head. Clothes rope as reins to steer. Rear axle nailed to 4 x 2 and that nailed to 4 x 2 central 'chassis'.
Click to expand...

Sounds like the Mk1 version of POP :D
My bogie was very similar Grant - smaller pram wheels at the front and big 'uns at the back; no brakes, or if panic-mode set in (i..e. "WTF has that bus come from!") either use the heels of your boots as brakes direct on to the tarmac or (risking broken fingers) grab hold of the back wheels.... :o
Fookin good fun though! 8)
 
Found a picture of our kart from 1963 (probably his 3rd birthday) judging by the reg. Pic of my bro on it in HongKong. The old man built it probably as part of his job in the Ordinance Corp. It later got Olive drab paint, full mudguards and a foot brake operating calipers on the rear wheels. Survived until the early 80's before it must have failed MOT on rot.

Kart.jpg
 
Not a bogie as such but a little car I built for kids TV, powered by water and compressed air. Went real well, full welded aluminium chassis with racing wheelchair wheels and hubs, actualy beat the world record for a water powered car by quite a distance but it was never recorded officially. http://youtu.be/ThH9kA31Wdc

  Also one of the few videos in captivity of me running  :D

  Keith.
 
As i live by the 2nd biggest whitefish harbour in Scotland, the main part of the chassis of the many carties i built during my miss-spent 70's youth was a classic wooden fish box with "Property Of" **** Fishselling Co, Scrabster, Caithness proudly stencilled on the sides!
That,  a builders plank & the remains of a Silver cross pram & you were in business!
 
What did you do for motive power Ross? I don't remember there being a lot of hills around the north coast of Caithness. Nice roads though.

Is that 30ft (approx) boat still on the side of the road between Dunnet and John O Groats? It was on a corner right next to a phone box. Looked like someone was living in it.

Cheers,
Cam
 
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