[TC19] Electric scooter

[johncarpenter]

Hello everyone!

This is my build for the TC19 concept, a futuristic scooter.

I have no experience at all with any bikes, so I wanted to keep it simple, and not try to build an existing or convential bike closely. That is also the reason I chose to do a scooter, so it would not be too bad if it looked a bit odd. I have a good selection of white panels, so I was thinking to have the build mainly white and gray, maybe with a bright accent color.

This build has taken quite a few twists and turns, here is the story so far.

I started off with the front wheel and wanted to have something different to a normal fork. I was just experimenting with how the fork could come from the sides of the wheel. Of course, this restricts the possible turning angle of the wheel. After some iteration, I came up with the following solution: The supports that hold the front wheel can slide back and forth slightly using a pivot in the chassis. This solved the small turning angle of the front wheel, and I quite liked the solution.

I put together a very basic lower chassis together with this front wheel. I had the drive to the rear wheel gear driven, but I did not yet know how I would forward this inside the chassis.

At this point, I was wondering if I could also incorporate front suspension into this otherwise simple build. I added a pivot between the front section and the chassis, and tried both the front and rear shock springs horizontal. This gave me the idea to have height adjustable suspension. The springs meet the 3l thin liftarms which are on opposing gears. I wanted to then have a worm gear which would adjust the height of the suspension. I also started on some bodywork.

Unfortunately, I could not figure out a way to package this. Neither could I find a way to place the worm gear for the ride height, but also it was impossible to transmit the power from the rear wheel into the chassis with this configuration. With the goal of getting something finished before the end of the contest, I settled on having only rear suspension and tried to move forward. I pushed forward to complete the bodywork, but it did not work out so well.

Obviously, this was far too low and long, with completely wrong proportions. Working without a blueprint is flexible, but it does make getting the proportions more difficult, as I was quickly learning... My next iteration was still not pretty, but a bit more successful.

The bodywork still needed more, but at this point my main problem was that I could not figure out a way to transmit the motion from the rear wheel into the chassis. As it would be a futuristic scooter, I wanted to have an electric motor and a battery. However, with the front wheel mechanism eating up a lot of the space, this was not possible. Also, the overall scale, given by the wheels that I had on hand, was simple too small. At this point, I decided to order other wheels and start over, with the same ideas but a bigger scale.

I thought that the wheels from the set 8417 would be suitable for a futuristic scooter. Also, they were not as large as some of the other motorcycle wheels, which I preferred.

So, starting off with the larger scale from stratch, I went back to the adjustable ride height to see if that would work.

It still did not seem like I could package everything in. Again, I could not find a good place for the worm gear for the ride height. Also, the spring for the front suspension would interfere with how I wanted to bring the steering linkage up. I think it would have been possible if I went for a look having a lot of mechanicals outside. In that case, maybe the spring could be on the outside edge, leaving space for a motor in the middle. In the end, I decided to abandon the ride height adjustment. I may come back to it for another build in the future, but for now, I decided to go without it.

Next, I built the arm for the rear wheel, including the gear driven drivetrain. As this is a small scooter, I decided to have just a simple transmission without multiple gears. I would have loved to have a small piston engine, but it just did not seem to be futuristic. That's why I decided to go with an "electric motor", with yellow accents. I had to revise this part several times to have gearing down from the motor to the wheel, so that the motor runs faster when the bike is driven.

After this, I continued with the back part of the chassis and hooked up the rear suspension.

This is where I'm at with the build right now. Next up, I'll be looking at how to hook up the steering and to start with the bodywork.

Edited February 7, 2021 by johncarpenter
updated name to Electric Scooter

[2GodBDGlory]

The front steering is an interesting, elegant design! I also like the simulated electric motor.

[MajklSpajkl]

Excellent choice of tires (those are still on my "to-buy" list) and quite inovative steering for a motorbike. Great job so far 

Edited January 17, 2021 by MajklSpajkl

[MinusAndy]

I really like your steering mechanism. You’ve ended up with similar wheels to the ones I’ve used and the way you’ve done the steering is brilliant.

[johncarpenter]

Thanks a lot for the feedback!

I tried out some bodywork with some older panels, still don't have a good idea what fits better.

I'm still undecided on the back. Also tried out another white panel, but it looks like the rear is the easier part to style, so I went back to working on the front. First, I hooked up the steering using two cv joints that can telescope. I need that because the axle moves up and down with the suspension, and I don't want the handlebars to move. Also, the angle changes when the front suspension arm swings up and down. With the two joints, it works fine. It looks a bit funny because the whole joint moves back a lot, but this is the best solution I can think of at the moment. I also added some panels at the front. I like this nose so far, but it feels unfinished. I also need to think about where the headlight(s) can go.

Next, I will try to complete the bodywork at the front, and add some stiffening to the transition from the middle to the front.

I feel like the white fairing #4 (first picture) looks really fitting for a futuristic scooter. Unfortunately, I have only this single one, not a matching pair... At the front, I think I need to continue the panels up a bit more, will experiment to see how it could be done.

 

[johncarpenter]

Here is the next update on this build:

I revised the front panels and after several iterations, came up with this:

I think it looks a lot better than before. The orange middle section is there to try it out, I'm not sure that I will keep it.

Next, I rebuilt the center section of the chassis to be more stiff.

I worked on the rear side panels, trying out many different combinations. The main issue was clearance, both with the rear wheel, but also with the brackets holding the springs on the arms hitting the panels. After a lot of back and forth, I settled on this solution, which looks good and has no clearance issues. I also added a simple seat in the meantime. The gray panels are just placeholders, the seat will be black.

With the rear panels finalized, I tried out some rear lights. I think I will go with the round ones.

Next up, I need to figure out some kind of stand. Then finish up the front, put on the handlebars, tidy up some details, and that should be it.

[johnnym]

Gets better and better! for using older panels! I would have gone for the bionicle teeth as rear lights as I think they more fit the scooter theme. Maybe also as front lights? But maybe too dangerous .

[johncarpenter]

On 1/27/2021 at 11:41 PM, johnnym said:

Gets better and better! for using older panels! I would have gone for the bionicle teeth as rear lights as I think they more fit the scooter theme. Maybe also as front lights? But maybe too dangerous .

Thanks! I tried a lot of at the front to use the bionicle teeth, but I did not come up with anything that looked good. So I stuck with a classic round headlight and taillights as well.

Anyway, after getting the panels in the correct panels, and adding a stand and a removable battery, the futuristic scooter is pretty much done.

To be honest, it is not as futuristic as I imagined at the beginning, but I like it a lot! Well, here is the finished model.

I'll add a video and then make my entry post for the contest...

[1980SomethingSpaceGuy]

Very smooth, nice job ! I thought I was going to be the only one to use these rims, but there's quite a few in the end. Fun ! 

[Man with beard]

7 hours ago, johncarpenter said:

I tried a lot of at the front to use the bionicle teeth, but I did not come up with anything that looked good. So I stuck with a classic round headlight and taillights as well.

I hate to come in with a suggestion after you're pretty much finished, but maybe some different transparent colors could add that futuristic touch?

As it is, it looks great. My thoughts when I saw the pictures were that it is sleek and modern, and looks like fun to ride around a town. I agree with the other commenters that the steering mechanism is really interesting and stands out. I also really enjoy the shape made with those angled panels on the back. Thanks for sharing your creation and your design process!

[johncarpenter]

Thanks everyone for the feedback!

I've decided to rename the build to Electric Scooter, which I think fits the end result better. Perhaps I will do a more futuristic one in the future, who knows.

Finally, here is the video:

 

[Rudivdk]

This is a lovely build, very elegant and clean. I really like the front steering and suspension setup, quite unique, works well and looks great too! It's a little sober functionwise when it comes to the drive train, but the little details like the electric motor and battery pack make up for it. Well done, good luck! 

[BrickBuildingFox]

I am not really a fan of scooters... but when I saw the "fake" electric motor (with its yellow coils) rotating in the video I was very amazed. It's a well executed creative Idea!