Crazy Arms

[al_lieffring]

I know that the idea of having crank arms on a Coker that are adjustable
in length isn't anything new. But here is my take on the idea.
I made up a set of cranks that adjust by a quick release lever on each
crank so that an arm at the end of the crank can rotate to different
length settings. Because the main crank arm is concentric, and the
adjuster arm is excenteric (crazy) the 1956 C&W song "Crazy Arms" is
stuck in my head now.
'Crazy Arms Video' (http://tinyurl.com/rw2m7)
I rode about 25 miles with them on Friday, they realy make hill
climbing a breeze when set at the max length 165mm and then I can realy
cruise along on the flats with them set at around 120mm and on rolling
terrain set at around 145mm.

Al :O)


--
al_lieffring

sola rota Ya'll
Al Lieffring :O)
'Al's Unicycling Club'
(http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/alsunicyclingclub/)
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[James_Potter]

That is a very interesting idea, and I think it would work really well.
The only possible negative side is if the quick release comes loose
while you're riding...that might turn out badly. But still, I like it!
Also, it would be cool if there was some way to do it while you're
riding, but I don't see how that could work....


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James_Potter

i still believe that all you need is love...john
lennon
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[Brian MacKenzie]

that's beautiful!

has the quick release ever quickly released? i think i simple rubber
ring type to hold it to the crankdealy would act as a safety device (is
a safety device even needed?)

do you plan on mass producing these?

or semi-mass producing them?

or taking orders?


--
Brian MacKenzie

Justonewheel: 'Just put the new uni together in the driveway stopped to
move the car and ran over the uni.'


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[madmattunipro]

Can we see some pictures?


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madmattunipro

><>Unicycle For Christ<><
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[bmemike]

madmattunipro wrote:
> Can we see some pictures?



There's a video linked in Al's post.


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bmemike

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[maestro8]

Supremely AWESOME design! I'm eager to hear how this develops over time
and how it holds up after an extended period of riding.

I don't believe an accidental quick release would be too catastrophic
on this thing... I mean, the pedals aren't going to just fall off, or
will they?

The one drawback I see to this is... those quick-release levers look
HUNGRY for a shoelace or something else to snag...


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maestro8

Those are my principles. If you don't like those, I have others. --
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[harper]

What a cool looking setup, Al. Are the joints serrated so that they can
be indexed and locked somewhat or do you just eyeball the settings to
get the left and right crank length equal?


--
harper

-Greg Harper

B L U E S H I F T

*jc is the only main man. there can be no other.*

This is still my nth post....*AWESOME!!!*

><>UNICYCLING FOR A FISH<><
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[madmattunipro]

Oops, maybe I should take a look at that. Ha ha.


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madmattunipro

><>Unicycle For Christ<><
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[underdog]

So... have you tried riding with one side at 120 and the other at 165
yet?:p


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underdog

'I tell you, we are here on Earth to fart around, and don't let anybody
tell you different' - Kurt Vonnegut
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[Brian MacKenzie]

underdog wrote:
> So... have you tried riding with one side at 120 and the other at 165
> yet?:p




i rode a coker with 110 on the right and 175 on the left, it's actually
pretty easy


--
Brian MacKenzie

Justonewheel: 'Just put the new uni together in the driveway stopped to
move the car and ran over the uni.'


DVD now available: 'Training Wheel Not Required'
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[al_lieffring]

harper wrote:
> What a cool looking setup, Al. Are the joints serrated?



The joint is a hex shaft that inserts into a 13/16" 12 point socket.
There are 7 settings 115,120, 130,145, 160 & 165mm. The length
incriments are not evenly spaced because the crazy arm rotates in
30deg. incriments.

I have the release levers laying back so if they snag they will be
pulled closed, not open. A big fat rubber band would'nt be a bad idea
though.
I have intentionaly ridden with the levers partialy loostened to see it
they would walk out. They squeaked like crazy but after 2 1/4 miles
were still fully inserted. So there would be plenty of warning before a
catastrophic pedal detachment would happen.

As for production, I have given up on the Idea that I can make my
fortune welding together unicycles. After the 30 mile Tour de Cure ride
Ill post how they are holding up. And if there is some interest I may
batch up a couple of sets.


--
al_lieffring

sola rota Ya'll
Al Lieffring :O)
'Al's Unicycling Club'
(http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/alsunicyclingclub/)
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[harper]

al_lieffring wrote:
> The joint is a hex shaft that inserts into a 13/16" 12 point socket.
> There are 7 settings 115,120, 130,145, 160 & 165mm. The length
> incriments are not evenly spaced because the crazy arm rotates in
> 30deg. incriments.
>
> I have the release levers laying back so if they snag they will be
> pulled closed, not open. A big fat rubber band would'nt be a bad idea
> though.
> I have intentionaly ridden with the levers partialy loostened to see it
> they would walk out. They squeaked like crazy but after 2 1/4 miles
> were still fully inserted. So there would be plenty of warning before a
> catastrophic pedal detachment would happen.
>



That's even stronger than serrated faces and certainly more clever.


--
harper

-Greg Harper

B L U E S H I F T

*jc is the only main man. there can be no other.*

This is still my nth post....*AWESOME!!!*

><>UNICYCLING FOR A FISH<><
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[s7ev0]

Ingenious! Simple and effective - what good design is all about in my
book!


--
s7ev0

DARWIN LOVES YOU

The best things in life aren't things

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[manon1wheel]

sweet dude! ypu made them yourself? thats awsome! i wanna learn to
fabricate stuff someday.

good luck!
Riley


--
manon1wheel

Riley
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James_Potter-
I fall with my upper body travelling backwards and my lower body
travelling forwards from 5' up and hit the concrete with my tailbone
and right elbow. It hurt, but I found it quite funny.
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[manon1wheel]

by the way... you should get it a copyright on that!


--
manon1wheel

Riley
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James_Potter-
I fall with my upper body travelling backwards and my lower body
travelling forwards from 5' up and hit the concrete with my tailbone
and right elbow. It hurt, but I found it quite funny.
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[Unitik908]

those are a really cool idea, i definately buy some

Chase


--
Unitik908

All hail the exhaulted Sigpoose, for he is forever king...
R.I.P Unibiker
R.I.P Gazzaloddi
R.I.P Paul Hester
R.I.P James Doohan
R.I.P Mitch Hedberg
R.I.P Peter Jennings
R.I.P Pope John Paul II
R.I.P James_Potters_Cat
YAMS

-last edited by the dave and sigpoose on 2005-09-05 at 08:56 pm -
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