tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67908153812439392012024-03-04T20:53:10.101-08:00Twike 103Lexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00004402682577798769noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6790815381243939201.post-90041756955795505602014-03-20T19:17:00.001-07:002014-03-20T19:17:38.892-07:00New Shocks for the TwikeMy left rear Koni had seized up. Even jumping up and down on the rear end would not produce any compression in the shock. Apparently this is pretty rare. After 15 years of holding up 100s of lbs of batteries it was time for a new set. Koni bit the dust and changed over to Ikon. Luckily some all night googling landed me here http://www.ikonsuspension.com/v1.0/content/customer-projects.html<br />
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You have to remove the bracket to get the part number. Its four allen wrench metric bolts. Its difficult to get the shock out. I suggest pushing from the eye hole from above where you take off the 19mm nut to free the top eyelet.<br />
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I was able to contact a local distributor in San Francisco;<br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">Recommended Service</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">1064 Revere Ave</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">San Francisco CA 94124 USA</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">P: 415 822 2041</span><br />
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Dave at Recommended Service put me in touch with Geoff the engineer at Ikon and we figured out this is what I needed;<br />
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> 7610-1282SP6 for the front (unless you do not want a new spring in which case it is just 7610-1282) and 7610-1638 for the rear. 7610-1638 normally comes with a spring fitted but if you wanted it made without new springs that could done but needs to be noted accordingly.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Cost wise 7610-1282 is AUD$175.00 while 7610-1282SP6 and 7610-1638 are AUD$210.00 each shock (ie $420.00 a pair). </span></div>
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Its like Christmas getting new shocks! BEAUTIFUL!</div>
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The only difference is that the nubs on the new ones that hold the height setting in place stick out a little more so they don't fit flush into the old fittings. I could have ground them down, but it doesn't seem like it matters.</div>
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The ride on the new shocks is amazing! No more creaky Twike'n! These shocks have 4 settings on them. There is a little # at the top of the eyelet. I don't think you can change it with them installed in the rear. 1 is the loosest, 4 for heavy loads. I kept all mine on 1. </div>
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Lexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00004402682577798769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6790815381243939201.post-19552147231858030962014-03-20T15:13:00.001-07:002014-03-20T18:54:48.393-07:00Death Wobble. I'm out of commission...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Alas, at this time the Twike is completely inoperable due to a strange death wobble that occurs when hitting bumps or steering back and forth suddenly, even at slow speeds the front wheel and corresponding rudder vibrate back and forth (left & right) violently. I have replaced all 3 shocks and inspected for loose fittings and I'm still no where. I'm running out of hope!<br />
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UPDATE! Its fixed! <br />
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It was the bolt that connects the frame to the fork. (Thank you so much Ralph!) There is a nut underneath you can secure with a 19mm socket if you move the splash guard out of the way. The socket can wedge itself against the shock so you can turn from above w/o it spinning.</div>
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An adjustable wrench will get in there, set it to 19mm. I put a lot of pressure on it and got it really tight. It acts as a dampener, after this was tightened the regular dampener is not needed. So if your steering starts developing really light back and forth, meaning there is no resistance / dampening you need to tighten this nut. The nut head had marks on it like this had happened before. Now what else needs tightening?</div>
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Lexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00004402682577798769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6790815381243939201.post-83851216556337691642011-06-04T23:26:00.000-07:002011-06-04T23:27:40.495-07:00Motorcycle Parking has its advantagesSo technically in the state of California, the Twike is a Motorcycle, but being that it is enclosed and has seat belts one does not need a motorcycle license to pilot the vehicle. I finally took advantage of this a few days ago by parking FOR FREE in the motorcycle parking in Santa Monica parking garage. The Twike fits right through the barriers allowing me to leave with the rest of the under four wheel crowd.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Nd7_sKbFmYqv9WqDoypaTs0yuofi36VUknTJoHEfnXKNXAOi6WnN3_QRL7fV2z6yxe_JeWMijaXas8PaJHOPFbLcCEr_WOZD2AKgUAXC-lHtQ2bbeC6CyNwvtsfNmepOXm8u5jyBdw5y/s1600/2011-05-29_12-20-02_444.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Nd7_sKbFmYqv9WqDoypaTs0yuofi36VUknTJoHEfnXKNXAOi6WnN3_QRL7fV2z6yxe_JeWMijaXas8PaJHOPFbLcCEr_WOZD2AKgUAXC-lHtQ2bbeC6CyNwvtsfNmepOXm8u5jyBdw5y/s400/2011-05-29_12-20-02_444.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Lexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00004402682577798769noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6790815381243939201.post-7145912490309282422011-03-20T15:09:00.001-07:002011-03-20T15:09:59.862-07:00Battery reviving<div><p>So the twike is back from its long rest in storage for a few months...  the batteries didn't like it and have developed a memory and im working to train them back to their full capacity.  <br>
My first run was under a mile, but after a few hard uphill climbs and recharges they are shrining back into shape.<br>
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<br/><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzpLViomfB8uX5vx3YQzvuaHA4BXov5y3j638GdLEWb3aY2x2Cni50b_jPyiaqJHGEtZpoHzjUMHf_mHwM5NCY9tVcd5qs9T67OPqr7qz4377OiHibc2_FkGxGjWbBSF8cISXkVo7J_Xlf/' /></div>Lexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00004402682577798769noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6790815381243939201.post-36663274335926444782010-12-23T06:23:00.000-08:002010-12-23T06:23:53.465-08:00Xmas Card From Twike<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I got this great Xmas card from Twike today. Poor translation and everything! Safe journeys :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_n-pEGcIPxv6rtN6eMH5oUdpUwnDjT7jQ7P0NeGsvNpJL7Jvo6ENM99gYfJ-0myu_e2ZsuPPzreLXMAi6cE652GgBNvE69TZ5sEpeMtkk0mh1YF6AwYLoHGBLxuSd8uCPSaoFQtSTZH2R/s1600/weihnachtskarte_en-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_n-pEGcIPxv6rtN6eMH5oUdpUwnDjT7jQ7P0NeGsvNpJL7Jvo6ENM99gYfJ-0myu_e2ZsuPPzreLXMAi6cE652GgBNvE69TZ5sEpeMtkk0mh1YF6AwYLoHGBLxuSd8uCPSaoFQtSTZH2R/s640/weihnachtskarte_en-1.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>Lexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00004402682577798769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6790815381243939201.post-9486524507429666062010-07-29T23:05:00.000-07:002010-07-29T23:05:17.556-07:00Running out of juice!Tonight I couldn't make it up the hill! I charged for about an hour and was hitting 400v running my regen down the hill on the way to the grocery store. When I take my finger off the regen it dropped down to 380, still a respectably charge to get around town. Unfortunately, I still have a lot to learn because the range indicator only showed 7 miles, when it usually shows 16. The battery light went on at the bottom of the hill, which I now know is a death warrant. We were peddling like hell, but as we approached our turn I pulled to the side and lightened my load. I had Kristin hop out and take the groceries while I let the batteries rest. The Voltages climbed up to about 320 and I gunned it and made it over the last hill and rolled home beating Kristin who was on foot with the groceries. <br />
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Morals of the story<br />
#1. Know where you need to be beyond when the battery light goes on to make it home.<br />
#2. Pulling over and letting the batteries rest gives you another jolt<br />
#3. One person peddling up a hill is easier for the Twike than two, due to weight.<br />
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I took this opportunity to run the batteries to empty. When you hit bottom the computer shows a batteries empty message and restarts. I decided to just plug it in and let it trickle charge for two days.<br />
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Now to rest my legs!Lexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00004402682577798769noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6790815381243939201.post-64354093483824711602010-07-25T12:57:00.000-07:002010-07-25T12:57:39.099-07:00California License Plates!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWHUZlkFNJe2jvxAdn90sTOMHbjF0WwyjNRnTvak5mVDYLp8fMtfJnWmUYLtAbnTQly9qzqiC2_aiXZ883dUXGuwT0DP-Mbo74WA6jW8Z6r0R4atAKHHYCg6NyVk1Nczv_fIsZHEB69iTJ/s1600/IMG00588-20100722-1141.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWHUZlkFNJe2jvxAdn90sTOMHbjF0WwyjNRnTvak5mVDYLp8fMtfJnWmUYLtAbnTQly9qzqiC2_aiXZ883dUXGuwT0DP-Mbo74WA6jW8Z6r0R4atAKHHYCg6NyVk1Nczv_fIsZHEB69iTJ/s400/IMG00588-20100722-1141.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>After my long awaiting appointment at the Santa Monica DMV I left with a shiny new motorcycle plate for the Twike. I whited out my license plate #, just incase someone would want to find and steel me! j/k Notice the red plate fragment behind the new Cali plate. The holes in the Twike are for a standard Automotive License plate so that is an old Arkansas fragment with holes in it to accommodate the motorcycle plate done by the previous owner. <br />
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I'm fully street legal now! I just need to fish a passenger seat belt out of an old mercedes (REPA Seat belts were used in the Twike) or other german car that fits so my passengers feel safe. With motorcycle plates do they need to be wearing one, though?Lexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00004402682577798769noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6790815381243939201.post-61454421509767354522010-07-07T16:09:00.000-07:002010-07-07T16:15:19.290-07:00Trip to the CHP! I passed!So today was very stressful because I had to take the Twike on a 20+ mile round trip. The way there was fairly easy, all downhill. I wasn't smart and started off with only 379V, but I haven't seen the 420 charge since my initial trickle charge and the other day at 401V starting out I caused an "Overcharge Fault" by using the regenerative breaks in the driveway! (just causes the system to restart - lock you out of being able to use the throttle for 10 seconds*)<br />
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Back to my journey! So the DMV couldn't find the engine # so they referred me to the Highway Patrol. Unfortunately, the nearest office is 10 miles from my house and I didn't plug in early enough so I had an estimated 17.5 mile range! I set out anyways peddling like crazy! Google maps now shows bike lanes so I planned my trip using those and keeping my top speed around 25mph to cut down on energy use. The officer was really helpful and even printed off some internet references so the DMV could complete my application. <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So heading home I knew it'd be a close call (I had 355V leaving the CHP) so I pulled into a Whole Foods parking lot and found a nice empty plug behind a soda machine. I had to park in the Fire Lane since I couldn't get the Twike up on the curb. No one seemed to mind and of course people were taking pics and asking lots of questions. Luckily, I have been getting great advice from another USA Twike owner <a href="http://web.mac.com/mattchildress/Twike/About_Me.html">Matt</a>. He let me know about the soda machine trick and also about hitting the JOG button to fast forward directly to the charge cycle and bump it up to 10Amps. So I put in about 30Vs while eating some grains, fueled both of us up!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I figured before I attracted too much more attention it was time to split! I made it safely home and the battery light went on as I was powering up the hill. I think I could have just about made it w/o the stop at Whole Foods, but it was a lot less stressful. Next post should be my license plates!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilxt-Dx8puFtRLZCob3PiQKwR8GLF9QQC8JHzVeQM1l8sTa8Lek9RleBInE5Q7fRDMQK6K9EOA74qUV_o4i4WikkwqvpfIA1yE9HEDF2PBvwkI6rsL1ic6kIrlNj1WIeOxUvU4scNTyNSG/s1600/IMG00578-20100707-1454.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilxt-Dx8puFtRLZCob3PiQKwR8GLF9QQC8JHzVeQM1l8sTa8Lek9RleBInE5Q7fRDMQK6K9EOA74qUV_o4i4WikkwqvpfIA1yE9HEDF2PBvwkI6rsL1ic6kIrlNj1WIeOxUvU4scNTyNSG/s320/IMG00578-20100707-1454.jpg" /></a>Lexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00004402682577798769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6790815381243939201.post-50996474344264535952010-06-20T19:27:00.000-07:002010-06-20T19:27:07.277-07:0011 Mile loop today<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Range testing. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Today we took the Twike on a Sunday drive. I hadn't realized I tripped the breaker on the garage socket where I've been charging up. (due to a bum plug on the twike I need to replace) We started the journey with about 375V and ended with 354. We went all the way to the ocean and stopped at Whole Foods on Montana before climbing back up the mountain.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifMYfUqerao0WzIDfIR_HMrDM_dQMmAbvsbzE3bG89my5j6Nc0s3RRpInAWQf_u5FyVvaGjCoAn3ltChPOB6w87C4M66IjPEmhLUSFW_-uFUtIHg8WLOWTYz7OvPVBgczzqR0canGLmqLa/s1600/Picture+7.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="555" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifMYfUqerao0WzIDfIR_HMrDM_dQMmAbvsbzE3bG89my5j6Nc0s3RRpInAWQf_u5FyVvaGjCoAn3ltChPOB6w87C4M66IjPEmhLUSFW_-uFUtIHg8WLOWTYz7OvPVBgczzqR0canGLmqLa/s640/Picture+7.png" width="640" /></a></div><br />
The thing I have to get used to about the Twike is that when you're accelerating the Voltage drops by about 20 to 30V and I get scared wondering how much it'll pop back up when I take my finger off the accelerator & if I'll take it into the red (battery light) during the push. Once I'm at a constant speed and not conquering any hills the Twike ticks away in cruise control barely using any Volts.<br />
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I'm not very confident in the regenerative breaking. It can take the Volts up to 400 (at which I let off), but then drops to back where you started maybe gaining 1V. I need to do some more downhill tests to really understand.Lexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00004402682577798769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6790815381243939201.post-85260420990793115642010-06-14T16:37:00.000-07:002010-06-14T16:37:25.473-07:00Trip to the DMV<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Well the trip to the DMV was not smooth, but in the end I have my temp tags and an appointment with the California Highway Patrol for a Vin Verification next month. It took about an hour for the manager of the Santa Monica DMV to come up with a plan. They had to contact the State. If you can find your Engine Block # in advance that would be helpful. It was also an expensive visit! Taxes here are crazy and my little 12 year old Twike cost me $1600 in taxes and fees...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioIq9O68Sy3qIMIzwVOTPvv6VkDza2QojU6PQL5bDRe5OLS7w_juDZjGx99Er9BDJEvtM4hEckTcEaRXT8vkoe_GZbhd2pYyOJeFn6yNxB5ScCi2YZ7Hi-OXZ0PzqQ1iV99Imz27zSaIUZ/s1600/IMG00522-20100614-1555.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioIq9O68Sy3qIMIzwVOTPvv6VkDza2QojU6PQL5bDRe5OLS7w_juDZjGx99Er9BDJEvtM4hEckTcEaRXT8vkoe_GZbhd2pYyOJeFn6yNxB5ScCi2YZ7Hi-OXZ0PzqQ1iV99Imz27zSaIUZ/s640/IMG00522-20100614-1555.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div>On the up side. This was my first long distance trip. I purchased AAA coverage because they have DMV service, but after wasting an hour there they sent me down to the regular DMV. I was smart and scheduled a back up appointment there!!! saving HOURS. I literally COASTED and peddled the Twike all the way there using only 1 V of energy for 5 miles. My range estimator LIT up when I turner it on to journey home. I think it got as high as 50+ miles. I started with around 378V and ended the trip home with 350 (all uphill). So 10 miles and I think I could make that trip two more times! Pretty amazing! I had no trouble in traffic and actually people let you in because they want to stare longer!</div><div><br />
</div>Lexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00004402682577798769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6790815381243939201.post-63240103607079553682010-05-22T22:20:00.000-07:002010-05-22T22:35:36.356-07:00Twike 103Is there anybody out there? Hi, I'm Twike 103. I was built in Switzerland and was imported to the USA and ended up in Oregon where I sat for some time until I was resurrected by a gentlemen in Arkansas. My limited range of 20 miles prevented me from being too useful in most of the sprawling areas of the USA.<br />
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I now reside in Los Angeles. A city of millions of people trapped in their cars.<br />
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My mission is freedom. The freedom to move your feet, not ever visit a gas station, not to subsidize wars, not to pollute the air, not to pollute the Gulf of Mexico. I'm the most efficient form of powered transportation ever mass produced. I don't know how many brothers and sisters I have, but hopefully they'll find me though this blog. <br />
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We need to be visible and viable as an intelligent means of transportation. New, I was too expensive. Being 10 years old allowed a nice well intentioned man, obviously in over his head, to purchase me for a more reasonable amount.<br />
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This blog is my story.Lexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00004402682577798769noreply@blogger.com2