Thirdwigg

I love those little train light parts. You have to do a gearbox, even a simple one. The details of this motorcycle are sooo good that a gearbox would take it to the next level.

After a little time away from this motorcycle, I spent some time moving panels around. Once I have a general idea about where the exterior parts will go, I'll start solidifying the frame, and adding in some details. At some point I'll clean up the colors to make it a consistent Black, Orange, and DBG. The drivetrain is now in and works very well. The shifter works better with each frame improvement (stiffening). The front steering is not flashy but works fine. The front suspension holds the bike, but needs a little more flair so I'll see what I can do about that. I am having some trouble with the fuel tank now. I have a general shape in mind, but so far the perfect panel placement has not yet presented itself. Ugh... The seat is placement and design is mostly set, but I'll need to do rear lights a little more greebling under the seat. Next up exhaust and some more frame locking.

Fun idea. I makes me think of many of the Cargo bicycles I see around my house. I made an electric car using the same idea you used for your electric motor, so it looks good to me. Looking forward to more progress.

Cool idea for the transmission. The stance of the bike is pretty cool too.

I use them all. I am particularly fond of that first part you posted, the Visorak backbone.

We'll see. I set it aside today, so I hope that helps. I resonate very much with both of these ideas. I have not designed a gearbox, so I am thankful for all those who have, and who let me use their ideas. But sometimes finding how to insert a gearbox, and all the support is the main problem. This is the problem in this build. I, also, at least understand these structures more than the gearboxes, but its still not going as smoothly as I would like. I also find taking some time off is helpful. I have built for the last 4 nights after not being able to build for a while, so I'll break tonight. Thanks for the encouragement. I'll get there eventually.

Great job getting the front wheel drive in. It's so hard to do, so well done.

Great job. I love the bloated look of the bodywork. Looks great for this kind of motorcycle. The tire choice is perfect as well.

I am not sure I have been so frustrated, confused, and yet committed to a MOC before. A number of different drafts of the front suspension, and I still don't fully like the way it works. I spent all day yesterday thinking about how to get the gearbox to work the way I wanted. I went through 9 different mocups on paper, and four different builds. Gearboxes are so hard for my brain to wrap around, and then add in the complexity of swingarms, engines, frames, changeovers, all while not being more than 7 studs wide. My head still hurts. Here is where the motorcycles stands now. It's messy, but It's something. Everything works. But the changeover is a little gummy, the front suspension is not braced, and the steering is lame. I'll get there, but I think I need to rest my brain today.

Well done, and I am happy it provided a little stress relief to a disruptive year.

Thanks @I_Igor, I got a lot of ideas from you, and hopefully some of mine will help you. Glad you like this, and my other Unimogs. Yeah, I'm being a little overdramatic as you build and mine were doing different things. As with @I_Igor, the ideas that went back and forth for all these MOGs has been helpful for each others. The center of the chassis as a gear to connect an implement, so a center PTO. This will be what powers the (eventual) salt spreader. Hi @Jundis, I don't have a 1x1 clear tile (I couldn't believe it). They will be on my next part order. Thanks for the nomination. I'll edit the first post. Thanks for your help with the HOF. Thanks for letting me know the YouTube comments are off. I'll change that. I find the 8110 torque tubes to be a little restrictive in this scale. They also got in the way of some of the PTO's and drivetrain. They're kind big at this scale. I also like the Blue the best as well. It sets it apart from all the other Orange ones as well. The white one looks really good on my mantle, but doesn't present as well in the picture.

For the time being, it will be rear wheel drive only. I'll pick it back up if things improve from where the current build stands.

It's been a busy week in Thirdwiggville, so let's keep adding to it. I have a little imposter syndrome going on with this MOC after @MajklSpajkl's excellent U400 from a couple of weeks ago. This is not that kind of build, and either way, I am happy with how it turned out. Thanks to all of you who helped this project along over the last year. First, here is the video of the U500. Here are some final pictures, and you can see the rest here. The MOC finished with these features: Opening Doors Tilting Cab Three Way Tipper Bed Steering Suspension (Live Axle) 4x4 Fake I4 Engine Pneumatic Pump Front/Rear Pneumatic TakeOff Switch Center PTO Front PTO Rear PTO with on/off switch Front Winch (with lock) Tipper Bed Rear: I changed the Tipper Bed knob, so it is now centered and at the top. I did this to have a uniform rear attachment point. I'll show this soon. Right Side I also made a U430 version as well. It's a little shorter, but has most of the same functions. Shown with Fischertechnic 80mm tires. I need to add the bed back on. And in Orange (WIP) with the TLG tires. Hope you enjoyed the final project, and the process of building it. Now time for some attachments.

Trellis frame is awesome. I like the Monster look, and look forward to see where this goes.

I like the scrambler look, and the yellow and brown are great. Hope you can get all the mechanics tied together.

I like how with each iteration the transmission and changeover changes orientation a little bit. So complicated. I’m so impressed.

It’s not yet. I have so much work to do on this. Thanks, I had another idea for the front. We’ll see how it turns out.

I have started so many motorcycles, and have quit nearly as many. I find them difficult to make the lines works, the mechanics function, and the they never are as good as others. We'll see if I keep going on this, or if I move to something a little more simple. I started a draft of the chassis just to get an idea of sizing and placement. I am going to hold off on the AWD for the time being. The wheelbase is set, and the placement of the engine and transmission are generally where they need to go. I spent some time on the front swingarm today, and I'm stuck. Keeping the suspension, steering, and and strength are proving to be a challenge. I'll move to the rear tomorrow, and then back to the transmission. We'll see what comes of this...Or if I move to something a little more simple. Like a Monster or something.

Very nice. I like the parallelogram suspension, and look forward to how you integrate it with the rest of the bike.

@Jurss Actually, the 8640 wheels give me another stud with those wheel hubs. Now it's 13 wide, still too wide but better. I'll set it aside for a little bit an let is simmer while I work on the transmission. I stole @steph77's idea for the time being. I'll keep working on this until it's what I need it to be. I am trying to do the Kickboxer AWD, but maybe I'll end up with the Kickboxer diesel.

Me too, so far... @Jurss, yep, all the changeover parts are missing so far. I need to take some things apart. But I think I need to change it up, the Front steering will be 15 studs wide. Way too wide, so back to the drawing board.

I am having a lot of fun building these days, but I am not spending time on a Motorcycle. I guess I need to spend a little more time here if something is going to happen. We'll see where this goes. So far it has a flat 4 engine and the start of a 4 speed transmission. I'm gonna build the Ducati and see what happens....

I love the coloring of this model, and I love the design. I look forward to more.

@steph77 I am impressed with this build, and I am happy that your ideas are getting traction with others here. You bikes have always had great ideas and builds, and this is another great example. I look forward to the completion of this project. Keep it up.

Thanks for all your work here @Jim. When it's down is when I realize how often I check this form. I guess it's not the worst habit to have....