Plus it will be funny to see all the little kids running around with crooked forks because they didn't install them straight
Product Ideas?
- Thread starter ZenkiGarage
- Start date
Damn with all the ideas you guys have got i could have a full line. the wheels in my head are really turning now.
Shhh, dont tell anyone...Ive had this project running for a little while for DH racing. IE big braking bumps + high speeds = lots to be gained from more braking control.
It is feasible to build a more reactive and lighter front end using this technique, just need to find someone to plunk down the money. We have tech details semi-worked, just need to finish it. Want to make the thing?
Some 6th grader came up with that idea and already has the patents in work....pedals with quick release bodies to facilitate quicker switches from clipless to flats
I expect royalty checks will be delivered shortly:biggrin:
A case or pod for carrying a multi tool, CC/ID, and cash that is designed to attach to a DH bike while staying secure and out of the way during DH runs.
I hate carrying this crap in my pockets (if my dh shorts have pockets that is) when lift access riding or shuttling, and yes..........Backpacks suktor!
I hate carrying this crap in my pockets (if my dh shorts have pockets that is) when lift access riding or shuttling, and yes..........Backpacks suktor!
Yeah, that jerk!!!
People talked a lot about you making a Fox 40 crown that will accept an integrated stem, you should instead make the crown and stem out of one piece of aluminum. No bolts to attach the stem to the crown, less weight, and just about everyone runs a 50mm anyway.
Another benefit is on step desents. less prone to the nose dropping, goin over bars routine.
We are on the same page
Without derailing your thread to much....Another benefit is on step desents. less prone to the nose dropping, goin over bars routine.
We are on the same page
This depends on the design. One of the huge advantages of a linkage fork is the ability to dictate axle path. Many designers thought that a path went backwards and then up would be great for square edged hits. I had a 4" girvin vector with this J-shaped axle path. You could run straight into a curb and the fork never flinched. Pretty good for a 4" fork.
The problem came on steep stuff. The fork would dive under and the rebound, catapulting the rider over tha bars. Fun times....
I agree that linkage forks offer huge promise. Everytime I see a newer BMW motorcycle I think how awesome it would be to build a fork based around a highend rear shock.
Yes, you're correct, it definatly depends on the design.
The fork i have designed and will someday finish, is based off of using a rear air shock like the dhx air.
I third that suggestion.What he said. all of it!
Find a good prototype shop. Almost any plastic can be machined just like metal. It will be more expensive per part than molding, but it if far cheaper for 100 parts. (ie, no $80k molds)
You might have to source your stuff to a few different shops. Maybe have your parts machined and then have them welded at a good high-end weld shop. Around here there are some really good FAA certified weld shops that charge a bundle but do increadible TIG welding.
I think you will have a hard time finding a turn-key shop unless you pay out the nose.
You might also try e-machine shop. I've heard of several people getting decent parts from there but I have no personal experience.
For 20 to 100 plastic parts, the best option would be:
1) Create an SLA (rapid prototype made by a laser shooting into a box of liquid plastic.
2) take the SLA and make a poured urethane mold around it.
3) cast urethane into the mold to make the parts. There are various urethanes that closely match almost every plastics available.
You can get pretty good detail with this process. I'd have to see the finest detail of the design to know for sure. Do you have a cad model or a machined prototype?
Anyway, if your interested, I can direct you to the shop that I use to for prototype plastic parts made this way. They're not cheap but are less expensive typically than machining out of blocks of plastic.
Whatever you do, get a non-disclosure agreement signed with anyone that you show the design to. It's important to do that for your patent.
A guard that can be put on a hub to stop the chain from dropping between the spokes and cassette, would have to sacrifice a cog to make room.
Cleats for Eggbeaters made out of a harder material that won't wear out so fast.
Cleats for Eggbeaters made out of a harder material that won't wear out so fast.
I worked at a prototype shop that used to do everything with injected urathane. According to the owner, they basically invented the process.
Anyways, we bought a couple of Mori Seiki 5 axis machines and 3 seats of mastercam. We soon learned that we could machine almost anything faster than we could mold it. Most of our parts were made from very specific materials so they couldn't be molded anyways.
I second the motion!
I agree with Chris King, rapid prototype is the way, saving both money and time, try www.cadcam4u.com seemingly good prices, i got the parts done at approx 1/2 the price i could have got them done locally (although the pound to dollar exchange rate did help that) and they had my parts done in 3 days.
with regards to a confidentiality agreement you can PM me and ill email you a template.
your product sounds interesting, and i hope it works out for you.
38mm top crown & direct mount stem for new 888.
Netwelle - where are you located? Would probably be best to work with someone close during the prototype build, at least in my experience.
mfg.com has been a pretty good service for me having sourced parts from around the country. I currently have stuff being machined in Illinois and Michigan I wouldn't have found local sources for otherwise. You'll get a lot of quotes if it's relatively simple work. firstcut.com might be worth a try for proto plastic pieces.
Zenki - if your company isn't on mfg.com it's worth a try. From the suppliers I've talked with they win about 1 in 10 jobs they bid so if you have an efficient bid team you can get a lot of work. Not sure on the cost for suppliers, it's free for buyers. If I was on the supply side I'd aggressively bid the jobs that fell into my "specialty" and work to build up the relationship. I have one shop I deal with that specializes in turning/screw machine work that obviously low bid the first thing they quoted for me but they've gotten a lot of work out of it at a fair price since.
mfg.com has been a pretty good service for me having sourced parts from around the country. I currently have stuff being machined in Illinois and Michigan I wouldn't have found local sources for otherwise. You'll get a lot of quotes if it's relatively simple work. firstcut.com might be worth a try for proto plastic pieces.
Zenki - if your company isn't on mfg.com it's worth a try. From the suppliers I've talked with they win about 1 in 10 jobs they bid so if you have an efficient bid team you can get a lot of work. Not sure on the cost for suppliers, it's free for buyers. If I was on the supply side I'd aggressively bid the jobs that fell into my "specialty" and work to build up the relationship. I have one shop I deal with that specializes in turning/screw machine work that obviously low bid the first thing they quoted for me but they've gotten a lot of work out of it at a fair price since.
just curious, what is the provisional patent number or description? I'd like to see the claims to see why it is better than the plastic disc that comes on walmart bikes and does basically the same thing.or not! check out this brilliant invention i'm developing (patent pending! stay away!):
Also, you do understand that if you havn't filed for the provisional patent yet that you just made a public disclosure and under EU patent law you are not able to be granted a patent. You could still recieve a patent in the US if you apply within 1 year of disclosure. That's the reason NDAs (non-disclosure agreements) are important since it documents that anyone that you have one with is not the public and keeps your time frame window open. BTW: this was more of a PSA for everyone else here since I really don't want to see anyone getting ripped off.
With regards to Chinese prototyping, is it really a good idea to proto the whole product in one shop in China? Personally, I wouldn't do it for no other reason than information control. Heck, the US government doesn't even make all the parts for military weapons at one company within the US for the same reason.
Netwelle,
Check your PMs...
Check your PMs...
@ZenkiGarageYou know, ive actually had one designed for a few years now. Im actually a big fan of linkage and lever forks. The one i have designed for bicycles is a spin off of Valentino Ribi's design. The problem with linkage systems is people are always a weary of a new design and dont like to stray away from the norm. Like the Ribi system was by far much better than a telescopic fork. I cant remeber who but one of Hondas riders loved it so much they talked honda into buying the design from Ribi. they ran it on their works bikes for 2 years. it never reached production because of expense and because people were afraid of it. A properly designed linkage fork can almost totally eliminate fork dive which I dont think people realize but oh well, i wont rant about that lol.
Here is a picture of the ribi fork on a works '80 CR250.
*note: this was also the year of the twin cylinder CR that got banned before it even came to the states lol. Lets just say it was violently fast!
Any news with your Valentino RIBI spin-off linkage fork project? Do you prefer the newer single-shock version or the twin-shock variant? Did you built one? Could you post some pics of your design?
Wilhelm
Is this a bicycle forum or a motorcycle forum?
We all know if people ride bikes it's just because they can't afford motorbikes, so I don't see the problem.Is this a bicycle forum or a motorcycle forum?
There's a thread going on about those forks too...
That and colors. Always colors. People love colors. Bright, loud, lots of variety.
... and if people can´t afford even bikes, they usually stick with running shoes ...We all know if people ride bikes it's just because they can't afford motorbikes, so I don't see the problem.
There's a thread going on about those forks too ... this one