Rudivdk

I always stick to an already proven gearbox design, I've never (succesfully) created my own. It's indeed to complex. Just make sure you follow the gearbox collection thread and you can always find something there to suit your needs. Saves you a lot of headache. Well, then all components still need to be connected and braced, but at least that is stuff I understand... I found over the past months that I am totally unable to build for more than 2 nights in a row. Whether it is the current situation in the world around us, or just my age starting to play up I don't know... Resting the brain (or at least time away from LEGO) does wonders and usually gives me some fresh ideas as well.

I'll tag @Jim and @Milan, that should get you an answer...

Great MOC indeed! I'm not a Unimog expert, so the difference between different Mog versions is lost on me, but I can still recognize a good build. The HoF nomination is noted.

This is a really smart solution, it looks so obvious and simple, but I bet it cost you quite a headache... I really like how you used two different rotational axis of that u-joint for steering movement and for suspension movement, very elegant and clever. Love it! I hope indeed the rest will be easier for you now, best of luck!

Yep, that's the one. @steph77 took this design and perfected it in his motorbike builds, and now I'm using it as well.

Thanx! I use 2 of these mounted upside down for exhausts.

Thanx, I'll do that! In the current setup everything works smooth, but I guess when the gearbox/shifter is attached, every little bit matters...

This is really cool! I haven't built studfull in ages, it almost seems alien to me now, but you're sure rockin' it. Nice touch with the gearbox as well, it doesn't look out of place there. Indeed the current setup seems more balanced aesthetically. Looking forward for more

Wow, that makes for a pretty dramatic (positive) difference! Still not convincing enough to buy this anytime soon (for current prices that is), so I won't be contributing for now...

It's an interesting concept (but it hurts my purist nature of building 'in grid'). I've seen a similar layout long ago, using the v-engine support blocks as holders for the axles arranging them around a sliding center axle. The sliding axle made it possible to engage different gears and thus different speeds. I think it had 6 speeds as well, but the gear change mechanism was totally different and way bigger... It looks like a 'standard' 90 degree sequential stepper will not give you the correct gear changes in your design, correct?

Thanks to some help from @steph77 I now have a very compact and seemingly reliable stepper mechanism/shift pedal, with a 4<->1 block:

1. My bad, I see it now... 2. Thanx, I'll try it out myself and see if I can get it working. Looks like just what I need for my bike...

@MinusAndy Can you use two flex cables, 1 on either side, so there is always 'pull' when activating the steering? Might save you loads of headache... Edit: That radial engine is indeed fantastic, with your permission I can see myself using this design in the future somehow

Very nice and compact, marvelous engineering! Few questions: 1. It's a 2speed gearbox right? I'm trying to fit a 4speed in my bike, that limits alot of the possible routes towards the axle rotating the orange wave selector... 2. Is that stepper strong/reliable enough to actually shift the gears? I've seen it on YT ('TechnicMastery' if I recall correctly) but it appears so flimsy... Maybe I just have to build it myself to check it out...

Thanx all! Will be shifting my focus to the core chassis and sequential stepper mechanism for now, and I still need an engine too...

I've been working a bit on the panelling and created something resembling a snake head with opened mouth and extended tongue: Added a long tail too:

Yes we're back! Maybe some remote server or OS update or something like that clashed with the Technic theme somehow. Good luck in figuring it out, unfortunately I'm not technical enough to be of any valuable assistance...

Let's continue any replies on the technic forum issue in below topic, so it'll all be in one place:

Same for me. @Jim, @Milan or any other staff, please have a look into the technic subforum. Every page there (subforum itself, but also individual topics visited directly from cached links) are a big white space...

My approach (just a personal preference, not science!) is to do a rough sketch in some 3d lego cad software with floating panels first, and work my way inwards from the panels to the chassis to create the mounting points in the correct angles (or at least as close as possible to the sketch). Then build those connections irl to see if it is all formlocked and if the 'flow' is correct . For me it saves a lot of time this way. Using connectors, balljoints or self built angles depends on what is needed and the room available. Usually I combine all of those techniques.

You can use this topic:

Here's another one for inspiration: set 8857. Has a simple but really effective suspension setup with only very common parts. Can easily be converted to full studless as well.

First (very WIP, very rough!!) impression of overall shape and 'special' function: I was inspired by all the ninjago stuff from my kids. Those ninjas have all kinds of crazy vehicles that can change their shape depending on operating mode, I wanted to do a similar thing. So I'm aiming for a low chopper/caferacer type of bike, that can transform towards more of an enduro type machine. Combined with the snake thing the low stance will be depicting a fast moving snake, the high stance an attacking snake with opened mouth, fangs exposed, neck widened (like a cobra) etc. Dunno if I can pull it all off, but it's a nice challenge...

Those Rivian and Defender bikes are pretty awesome...

Worked on the bike some more, managed to squeeze a sequential 4-speed gearbox with rotary catch in, located under the seat and rear spring mounting point. Can't remember who's gearbox design it was, I think @Didumos69 came up with (something like) this: It's gonna be quite tricky to get it all properly braced, add the stepper and shifting pedal, route the drive towards the engine and keep the total width acceptable, but it looks doable...