Originally written by bmwzenrider on 11/5/2006 1:20 PM
When I was running my HitchHiker I was seriously considering/designing a linear actuator mechanism to replace the single strut. 12v linear actuators use a worm drive, so the gear train self-locks when not powered to prevent slipping, and you can tune the speed of motion with resistors or a voltage regulator circuit.Done properly with heim joints below you could even lean it into the curves...;)
Vern Goodwin, Lincoln NE builds such a unit. Very impressive. Vern isn't online but if anyone is interested he can be contacted at 402-785-9201.
Originally written by bmwzenrider on 11/5/2006 12:20 PM
Originally written by Mark in Idaho on 11/5/2006 9:42 AM
Maybe something like 2 trailer tongue jacks could be modified for a tilt feature.
When I was running my HitchHiker I was seriously considering/designing a linear actuator mechanism to replace the single strut. 12v linear actuators use a worm drive, so the gear train self-locks when not powered to prevent slipping, and you can tune the speed of motion with resistors or a voltage regulator circuit.
Done properly with heim joints below you could even lean it into the curves...
I just had too many other projects, and now have a girlfriend who is insane enough to enjoy riding with me in the winter months, so I found a nicer chair for her to sit in... 🙂
If it wasn't for her, the HitchHiker would still be in service with me for many more years...btw - Using two linear actuators would not work well because of problems with syncronizing the rate of motion. If they don't move at the same rate they will bind up. AND, most times the struts are not parallel to each other, opening up a whole can-o-worms trying to get everything to move together...
See.... I knew I could get people talking... 😉
.........................................................
BMWZENRIDER,
What you are speaking of is what is a true lean out adjustor. The Terraplanes had this but it was manual. Vern Goodwin was one of the real pioneers of the use or the linear actuator and made it work very well on his 'Good One' sidecars. Other companies utilized similar system. The Hannigans that had them worked exceptionally well and even though it was said not to use them from turn to turn they worked great in that fashion. Problem is that if there was an electrical failure on any of these systems at the wrong time trouble could raise it's head quickly. Electrical things do act up from time to time and in the case of the leanear actuator as the only top mount it could make for a real bad situation. Today, I am pretty sure , like I said in a previous post, that everyone has gone to a system that tilts the whole rig instead of just leaning the bike out away from the sidecar. It still incoprprates a linear actuator but all adjustments are made by lifting the sidecar suspension itself. Making this change also allowed them to go back to a four point mounting system.
