DLuders

Good catch. I added the windup motor to the Wikipedia article (since it had the words "Power Functions" in its Bricklink.com part description). However, the light brick and sound brick from the two Power Functions-enabled sets you referenced don't have "Power Functions" included in their Part Descriptions, so I left them out.

I did a search in Bricklink.com's "Catalog" function, and came up with the list of all "Sound Bricks": http://www.bricklink.com/catalogList.asp?q=sound+brick . The one that appears on the very bottom of the list (#55206c01) may be what you want. I just used my copy of Lego Digital Designer (LDD) 3.0 to replicate the steps you gave, and I see what you mean. When you hold your computer mouse over the LDD part, it says "FX SOUND BRICK 2X4X2MOTORCYCLE." Very strange.

Well, I knew that it was "old news" and that my Eurobricks post wasn't going to provide the first "scoop" about the MOC. However, for those like me who don't regularly log onto The Brothers Brick website, the helicopter may interest the Technic fans here. The February 26, 2010 Brothers Brick Story can be found here: http://www.brothers-brick.com/2010/02/26/l...er-from-avatar/ . The "joystick"-type control on the top of the helicopter seems to be able to swivel the two rotors in a smooth fashion. How does "Barman" do that? Maybe the joystick is connected to the Power Functions Remote Control unit (which has its two control levers connected to one central stalk). My son pointed out that there's a joystick on the "Snow Groomer" Set #8263 that could have been modeled in the Avatar helicopter model....

Wikipedia.com is widely regarded as being the best online encyclopedia for various topics. I typed in the words "Lego Technic" on that website, and got this article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lego_Technic . Since I noticed that there were two Power Functions elements not listed in a table, I created an Wikipedia account and, after about 10 minutes, added the missing items. I also added an External Link to Blakbird's Technicopedia (http://www.ericalbrecht.com/technic/ -- thanks, Eric!). If you read the article and see what it includes, are there any MAJOR OMISSIONS? It could be that many Technic "newbies" use Wikipedia to start their internet searches. Be advised that Wikipedia is an ENCYCLOPEDIA and (thus) should be objective in content. What should be added to make this article better?

Check out "Barman's" fantastic Lego Technic helicopter inspired by the battle scene in the blockbuster movie "Avatar". This excellent MOC was submitted as part of the Feb 2010 "Lego Technic Challenge", but a single photograph doesn't do it justice. This has got to be the COOLEST helicopter ever built using Lego parts. Brickshelf folder: http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=420825 . YouTube video: .

Ah, the #5571 Giant Truck ("Black Cat" Muscle Truck) from 1996 has 1,769 pieces . "Grazi" had motorized a Tow Truck based on the #5571: http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=74562 . If you replace the pneumatics with Linear Actuators, it may be possible to motorize the #5571 using Power Functions. It may be possible to adapt the "Basic Three-Axle Chassis Instruction" from the "Hard Truck Contest" website http://www.doublebrick.com/htc ; scroll down to the bottom-center of that page and look at the lines in red text for the link to the instructions. Maybe you could upscale the various components to make a Power Functions chassis, onto which you could build the #5571 Black Cat dump truck.

Well, there was this previous Eurobricks post: http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=39147 . These composite-part wheels don't come with TIRES, though.... TLG does offer a Lego RC Model (the #8675 Outdoor Challenger), but it is not available in the US: http://shop.lego.com/Product/?p=8675 . Does anybody have this model? It was sold in 2006-2007 and has 104 parts. The 3.75"-wide (9.5 mm) tires are HUGE: http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?P=47349c04 and http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItemPic.asp?S=4286025-1 . In the spirit of this (rare) set, Inanimate Reason's Adapter Kit allows you to connect RC wheels/tires to any Technic MOC, and drive it around with Power Functions.

Pablo432, I just e-mailed you 5 different messages (one for each of the four Alternate Models, and a fifth one telling you where to download the original 8448 Super Street Sensation building instructions). Let me know if you didn't get them.

From the webpage http://www.bricklink.com/catalogRelList.asp?relID=3 , one can see that the biggest Lego Technic BALLOON TIRE and wheel combination that fit onto a regular Lego Technc Axle is the 32298 Power Puller tire mounted on the 62mm-diameter #22969 wheel. Alas, sometimes these tires and wheels are NOT BIG ENOUGH for the largest Technic MOCs. If you want to go BIGGER, one could consider using HUGE 5.3 inch (134.6 mm) RC tires mounted on 2.2 inch (55.9 mm) wheels available from your local hobby shop. You can mate these onto Technic axles using a special Adapter Kit: http://www.bricklink.com/store.asp?p=Inani...itemID=16239072 and http://inanimatereason.com/shop/viewitem.p...tem=KIT-HUB12MM . Holy Cow! What do you think of that?

If you want to see the internal workings of the motor, see http://web.archive.org/web/20050316160255/...repair_html.htm . There is a recommendation to give the motor a shock to get it to rotate freely. On Philo's webpage http://philohome.com/motors/motorcomp.htm , 3/4 of the way down, it says: "71427 and 43362 motors are protected from abuses by two devices....Once current limitation is established (for example with a dead short), power dissipation in the driver is very high, and it quickly enters thermal shutdown mode. After that, the output cycles on/off with a period of about 1 second: the driver circuit heats up, stops output, cools down, re-enables output, heats up again and so on." I'm guessing that something is jammed. Like Blakbird suggested, bang them on a table!

If you want to get replacement parts, you should try Bricklink.com . It has a "Catalog" function with which you can search for "Parts" on the dropdown menu ( http://www.bricklink.com/catalog.asp ). It's easy to get replacement "Technic Gears", "Technic Pins" and "Plates" to replace the bad parts you photographed. Try it -- you'll like it! Replacement 24-tooth Technic Gear (New Style with Single Axle Hole, not the weaker "old style" with the 3 axle holes which you pictured): http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?P=3648 . Pick a color and shop worldwide! Replacement Technic Pin: http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?P=4459 . These are really inexpensive; get at least 100. Replacement 2 x 6 Plate (click on the "White" color in the "Price Guide Info" column to see hundreds of NEW and USED plates available): http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?P=3795 .

I respectfully disagree, for the following reasons. Instead of having a mere "Hand of God" (HoG) knob on the model to turn the steering, one can actually DRIVE the same model using Power Functions, have races with friends, etc. Turning a HoG knob may be interesting for about 30 seconds to see "functionality", but then the model sits on a shelf instead of being ENJOYED for minutes and perhaps hours. Instead of just pushing the model along the floor with your hand (which is OK for those less than 10 years old), having PF motors allows for fun "smash-ups" and hand-eye coordination. The kit could be taken apart to make other "free-style", driveable MOCs. Again, if folks don't like/want motors in their sets, then one doesn't have to use them. If one has the money to motorize them, the SAME KIT could be easily modified. Many teenagers don't search the web to find instructions on how to motorize the kits -- the standard Lego kit instructions could show them.

Hey Pablo432, I only got e-mails from zmanlane and Marjan _____ , so if you're not one of these fellows, I didn't get your message. Please retransmit.

As you already pointed out, Blakbird's Technicopedia reviews all 24 of the Technic Universal Sets ( http://www.ericalbrecht.com/technic/universal.html ). I agree with you, "Where have all the Universal Sets gone?" I don't want to sound cynical, but it could be that The Lego Group doesn't want to create such sets anymore, because they "use up" many future set ideas that they can sell. In the Technic theme, they only issue a certain number of sets per year, and (thus) keep the demand high for more. If they issue more "Universal Sets", TLG may reduce overall demand because folks may just by it and nothing more. Although the Universal Set building instructions are not available on the Lego Customer Service website http://us.service.lego.com/en-US/BuildingI...ns/default.aspx , they (along with many more) are available from BrickFactory at http://www.brickfactory.info/set/index.html . It could be that you already have all of the necessary parts to build other sets, without having to hunt for the sets on Bricklink.com or on eBay.

A fellow named "ZED" posted pictures of his modified #8048 set on Brickshelf: http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=416557 . ZED wrote "LEGO 8048 is a nice set, but with PF in is much better. It is very easy to build. 2 M-motors for drive 1 M-motor for steer 1 PF-lights, Self-retern steering system." My question is, if The Lego Group offered the #8048 set modified with Power Functions (PF) components, would you buy one? From the Lego.com website http://shop.lego.com/ByTheme/Product.aspx?...;cn=57&d=70 , you start off with the US$40 Buggy Set #8048. Then from the website http://shop.lego.com/ByTheme/Leaf.aspx?cn=...p;d=70&va=1 , you add in these PF components: 3 ea. #8883 PF Medium motors @ ~US$7.50 ea. = ~$22.50. 1 ea. PF battery box (I know that ZED used the expensive RECHARGABLE battery box, but if one could find a way of using the less-expensive #8881 box, the cost would be held down) -- ~US$7 1 ea. #8870 PF lights = ~US$6.50. 1 ea. #8884 PF receiver (assuming that you can get one; they're backordered) = ~US$15. 1 ea. #8885 PF remote control = ~US$9.50 GRAND TOTAL = ~US$100.50 (equivalent to ~73.64 Euros today) I know that the model could be simplified by using 1 ea. ~US$15 PF XL motor instead of the 2 ea. PF Medium motors, but the question is WOULD YOU BUY ONE if TLG issued this as an official set? The set could be built as-is (as a standard #8048 set) WITH AN OPTION OF UPGRADING IT to a PF-enabled set. Those Lego fans without a lot of money could buy the ~US$40 set, and those with more money could afford the ~US$60 upgrade? Would the set be enjoyable for both teenagers and AFOLs? Please indicate "why" or "why not". What changes should be made?

I have all four of the #8448 Alternate Model instructions on my computer. If you send me an e-mail (LudersDG@MSN.com), I'll be glad to send them all to you. Each PDF file is just over 3 MB in size.

I just went to my basement and connected a Lego Technic Power Functions (PF) setup to the #2868b 9V Train Speed Regulator unit you referenced in your original post. There is no modification necessary, but you will need an "Electric, Power Functions Extension Wire with one Light Bluish Gray End" Part #60656 ( http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?P=60656 ) to connect between the 9V Train Speed Regulator unit and the PF receiver. There is a transformer that plugs into a wall socket to step down the voltage from 120V to 12V (in the USA), and the transformer plugs into the 9V Train Speed Regulator unit. The Light Bluish Gray end of the PF Extension Wire plugs onto the yellow, 2x2 electric plate at the top-center of the photo you referenced ( http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItemPic.asp?P=2868b ), and the Dark Bluish Gray end of the wire plugs onto the PF receiver. The yellow knob on the 9V Train Speed Regulator Regulator unit can operate the motors in one direction when turned clockwise from its central "Off" position, and in the other direction when the knob is turned counterclockwise. The speed control is very precise. The only drawback to this setup is that your MOC is "tethered" to the 9V Train Speed Regulator unit via wires. To go "wireless", you could consider using the same PF Extension Wire between the old 9V (non-PF) battery box and the PF receiver's wire, then using this #8879 PF Remote Control unit WITH SPEED CONTROL: http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?S=8879-1 . It accomplishes the same thing as the older unit, but this PF remote controller is wireless and can provide INDEPENDENT speed and direction to two motors. It came with the Emerald Night train set #10194. You can get one for US$13 directly from TLG for less than you can find one on Bricklink: http://shop.lego.com/product/?p=8879&L...7&ShipTo=US . For a good overview about Power Functions, be sure to see Philo's "Power Functions Presentation" from http://philohome.com/tech.htm .

Your 4x4 Tipper Truck (modelled after a Mercedes Axor 1833AK) is a fine MOC. I'd love to create an offroad truck with its capabilities someday. Zblj's awesome Lynx is featured on the Brick Truck Trial webpage http://www.bricktrucktrial.com/article.php3?id_article=147 . He has built many other offroad MOCs too that are very advanced.

I like the "Blue Falcon" 4x4 a lot! The rare "Technic Power" power-puller wheels really sets it off. For those who like the old studded Technic bricks, this MOC really fits the bill.

The March 2010 Lego TECHNIC Challenge is to build an "Offroader" ( http://technic.lego.com/en-us/competition/default.aspx ). I know, I know, the competition is really for young people but if you submit a picture of your MOC, maybe The Lego Group will know what AFOLs like. Maybe they'll even make a special set (an "Off Roader 3"?) if they see some great creativity. Even if you don't build something NEW, you may have an existing Offroader MOC that you could quickly submit (one photo allowed with a short description). "Take the Technic Challenge - Offroader! This is the LEGO® Technic Challenge competition! - here you have a chance at showing the LEGO Technic designers your designs and your abilities with the Technic elements. "The competition is very simple 1. Build a model out of primarily LEGO Technic elements. 2. Take a picture of the model 3. Press the button below [on the webpage referenced above] to Enter the competition 4. Enter your contact information 5. Upload your image "What to build? This month (March) the competition is all about Offroading - build a model that can handle going offroad, a master of the terrain that can handle the hardest conditions! Sand, snow and outdoor environments can be hard on your LEGO® Technic elements, your model does not need to be pictured outside, but must fit into the Off-Road theme. "How does it work? Right now you can submit models - On the 15th of March - a panel of judges consisting of designers, marketing managers, building instruction artists and more will pick out (of all submissions) 10 finalists that will then be put up for voting here on the site. Considerations for the Nominees will be based on Model, Design, build to theme and age. "The winner will receive a prize and also continue to the Big Finale in October." I'm going to submit a TANK (even though TLG won't ever create such a set) -- it goes Offroad where no other vehicles can go and it's wicked. What are YOU going to enter?

On the website http://www.technicbricks.blogspot.com/ , there's a link to download TLG's "The Brick" Annual Magazine for 2009 (look in the article about the #8258 Crane Truck). The report is a 13.2 MB file. On pages 44-47 in the magazine, there's a 4-page article on Hero Factory with several pictures.

There's quite a bit of discussion about this at https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=26...mp;isPopup=true (from the recent TechncBricks post on http://www.technicbricks.blogspot.com/ ).

Did "The Chase" vehicles use the "Basic 2-axle Chassis Instructions" from the Hard Truck Contest website http://www.doublebrick.com/htc ? (NOTE: You'll have to scroll down to the bottom of that webpage to see the instruction link in the bottom-center of that web page). If your designs are a bit different that the truck chassis design, do you have some instructions for young people to build their own Power Functions racing cars?

What fun! Making small Power Functions vehicles can allow for fender-to-fender, bump-and-go racing! Do any of the vehicles ue te #8183 Track Turbo RC or #8184 Lego Racers RC platforms ( http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?P=bb396c01 )? I like the picture of your car in front of your city skyline at sunset. What city are we seeing?

If you use one of the #8879 Power Functions remote control units with SPEED CONTROL ( http://www.bricklink.com/search.asp?q=speed+control ), you can slowly start your MOC's motors (just as railroaders do for the Lego "Emerald Night" train set). You can order it directly from TLG for US$13 at http://shop.lego.com/product/?p=8879&L...7&ShipTo=US .