April 9, 2015

            Today was a rollercoaster. Emotions ran low during the morning, sky rocketed during the early afternoon, and then began to head back down later afternoon. Campbell and I ran into a bump last night when we realized that a battery did not come with the kit that we ordered. This is simply because batteries are extremely expensive and would turn any buyer away simply by looking at the price. After spending hours last night researching what battery we needed and how much it would cost, I began to worry about our next move. The first batteries that were suggested ran from 300$ to 500$, which is way out of our budget. However, things turned around as the day began.

            Campbell and I went to Wal-Mart to purchase a bike carrier rack to hold our imaginary battery. We then showed up at Patrick’s with a lot of educated questions about what battery we can use. After calling all his connections, the best answer he could give us was soldering D batteries together until it can retain 48 volts. This would have been very sketchy. Campbell and I drove to Batteries Plus Bulbs in order to get a second opinion, and the man could not have been more helpful. He knew exactly what to do and how to give it to us. Thanks to him, we were able to get four batteries for more than half off along with some extra wires and a sprinkle of great advice. Campbell and I left ecstatic.

            Our next project was mounting the control and the battery. The battery fits perfectly on the stand we bought, but still needs to be secured. Patrick then suggested that we mount the control on the frame. We drove to Home Depot with a grocery list and got all the equipment we thought might work. Trying to secure the battery was a complete failure, and we will have to continue that work tomorrow. Mounting to control was also much harder than we assumed it would be. The strip of metal we bought was not lining up with the controller, and attempting to make modification to it only frustrated me.

            Tomorrow we need to catch up. The electric bike will be finished tomorrow, and we will then start on the gas-powered bike. The project has been a lot harder than I first assumed, but I secretly like it. I enjoy the challenge of figuring out a solution to a problem that is not clear at first. We get to tinker and manipulate objects on and off the bike so everything fits. It is fun. I am excited to finish this bike and move on to the next one.

April 8, 2015

            It has begun. Today Campbell and I made the first large step in our motor bicycle making careers. I loaded up my car with two bicycles and a full gas motor kit and headed down to Auto Repairs by Patrick to meet Campbell. Being the first day of construction, we were very eager to get to work. First, I had to move around equipment, dump the trash, and move cars around for Patrick before we could get started. We brought in the Eddie Bauer bike and electric kit and got to work.

            The first step was taking off the back wheel to replace it with a much cooler electric wheel. Campbell and I rushed to take things apart so we quickly forgot how the chain looked when it was on the bike. Therefore, with the new wheel on, it took quite a lot of time to figure out how the chain went back on. We were able to tighten the back wheel up and move onto the throttle and brake system. We already ran into trouble with the brakes with the back wheel so we decided to save it for when we had to deal with both of them. The throttle was easy to figure out when we were able to find the right tools and fit quite nicely on the handlebars. Things went wrong when we began dealing with the brakes.

            Neither Campbell nor I are experts with bikes so we had a little bit of trouble when it came to fixing the brakes to a new wheel. They were two loose and would not stop us safely enough before we would crash into the nearest building that could shatter all our bones. Therefore, we will fix that problem tomorrow.

            We were also able to notice a few things we are missing until we can ride this bike. Campbell and I need a bike carrier rake to fit on the back for the battery that did not come with the kit. Patrick is going to help us find a battery that will work with the bike and also be within our price range. The rack is cheap and can be purchased at Wal-Mart. I am not going to lie; I am a little nervous now.  The batteries can be very expensive and we are on a timeline with a small budget. However, I have faith that Campbell and I will be able to bring it home for the boys.

April 7, 2015

            We truly experienced the sketchiness of Craigslist by testing its boundaries. Today was fun. Campbell and I actually met on Monday to gather up a list of names and call a few people from Craigslist to see who we could pick the bike up from. We had a lot of names and a lot of contacts. After going back and forth, we decided on a 1973 original. He lives in Dallas GA and that’s when thing began to get a little sketchy. However, the man turned out to be very kind and reasonable, which made the drive out there worth it. The bike is in great shape, except or a little rusting here and there.

            Campbell and I headed back to my house where the other bike had been stored. Comparing the two bikes, and doing a little more research, we were able to decide which bike we will use with electric motor and which we will use with the gas powered motor. One is a little bit heavier than the other, but we can add weight to one if we need to equal the plain field. While we working at my house, the FedEx truck arrived with the gas engine kit. The kit came with a lot more parts than expected, and will take longer to assemble than the electric bike. Tomorrow we are headed out to Patrick’s garage early to plan out and begin working on assembling the bike. Can’t wait to get my hands dirty.

April 2, 2015

            Today Campbell and I spent our day running around trying to purchase a bike. The day started early with a meeting with Mr. Hwang and did not slow down until after three o’clock. We left school and headed to Auto Repairs by Patrick where I introduced Patrick and his son to Campbell. We stayed there for a while; catching him up on our progress and a few details we might need to change. Patrick helped with suggestions such as the type of bike we will need and modifications we might need to make for each bike. H suggested a few pawn stores along with some antique stores that we should go check out.

            Campbell and I left Patrick’s to then scavenge pawn stores, good wills, and more pawn stores for bikes that keep us in our budget range. The pawn stores had a lot to offer, but Campbell found a better deal on Craigslist. We then met with a potential client on the Varsity parking deck. He was very nice and knew what he was talking about. We were able to bring his price down and walk away with a bike.

            Our next prospect seller was not as successful. We headed out to Kennesaw Georgia where we met a stubborn man who refused to bring his price down. The tire was flat and he “didn’t have any air”. Being quite the bargainer I pride myself to be, as stated on my instagram bio, I knew it was going to be a bad deal. He made a rooky mistake by admitting the bike is from Walmart, and even though it was very lightly used, it was not worth the money.

            Campbell and I were very happy to have walked away with something, but definitely wish we were able to find two bikes. The frames as the Pawn stores are perfect, but the rest of the bike is just not in good enough shape to be used. This day was exciting. We got ourselves out of the coffee shop and were conversing with more people. I can’t wait to build the bike. I expect it to be harder than we first believed, but have faith that we will be successful.

April 1, 2015

           The past few days have started out exactly the same. I think it is time we switch up the scenery. I woke up and joined Campbell early morning at Caribou Coffee so we could begin our research. With the kits on their way, Campbell and I immediately began looking at bikes we can put them on. The selection out there is endless.  To prepare for our commercial week, we also completed research on marketing tactics that businesses use to attract their costumers. During this time, we were also able to develop a rough schedule for our commercial week.

           Campbell and I discovered a lot while researching the type of bike we need. The motor takes up a lot of space. We were able to find the dimensions that we need to even fit the motor on the bike. This eliminated a lot of options.  We want enough room on the bike for a motor as well as for all the other parts. The sprocket and extra chain also take up a lot of room. With all the facts on the table, Campbell and I realized that we are most likely going to have to make modifications on the bike we get no mater what. Therefore, we are simply looking for a bike that can fit a motor on it.

           After lunch Campbell and I decided to go to Atlanta Cycling to get some expert advice on bikes. The trip was more than useful. Most of our information about modifications we may need to make on the bike along with the type of frame (diamond) and material (aluminum) that would work best for this project all came from the people at this store. We are now looking for a hybrid bike, a mix between a cruiser and mountain bike that will provide for the most stability and efficiency. The man at the store even showed us a back room where they could give away bikes. After taking one out of being polite, Campbell and I quickly placed it back as he turned around, for no motor could fit on it.

           Mixing things up by visiting the bike shop spiced things up for today. I am very excited to visit the garage tomorrow. Campbell and I will soon be choosing a bike as well. The project is well on its way, and I really can’t wait to start assembling the bike. There is always something to look forward to. I am excited.

May 31, 2015           

          Campbell and I have been able to experience what life is like during school outside of school. Apparently coffee rush hour at Caribou lasts from early morning to past 10, Blue Ridge grill is a causal business lunch spot, and people are terrible at parking in and out of school. We woke up and set up a tent and some lawn chairs to camp out at the coffee shop for hours. Our priority was to buy both kits in the morning so that they may arrive at the proper time next week. With some last minute research on other websites, we were able to finalize our decision. We decided to stick with the 2 stroke engine and the 48v electric kit. Dr. Dunkle and his Green Team crew were very generous and agreed to donate 250$ to the creation of the electric bike. With the addition of this money, we were able to afford the electric engine kit we needed.

           I spent most of the morning researching information about carbon emissions, discovering what they are and how they can be applied to our project. Campbell and I were able to label all emissions released from a motor so that we will know what we are looking for when testing the bikes. After learning about the damage some of these gasses can cause, we easily saw why an electric bike is simply the right choice over a gas motor. Campbell and I are going to try to visit an emissions tester who may tell us more about the subject and hopefully test our bike.

           After researching emissions, we were able to put together a schedule for our emissions week, where we test and compare the bikes. We decided which days we will test the bikes for speed, efficiency, emissions, etc. Campbell and I did not have enough time to visit the bike shop to ask questions about what kind of bike we need so we will hopefully be able to stop by tomorrow. I was very excited to have ordered the kits and can’t wait until their arrival. I forgot my headphones today so I was not able to check out the new ILoveMakonnen mixtape. However, even that was not able to bring my day down. Tomorrow will hopefully be just as good.

May 30, 2015

          The first day of my senior project was a productive one. Campbell and I started off the day with second period class, and then moved our work to the library. It still felt like a school day, just with a sprinkle of freedom. We began working immediately by researching the different kits we can purchase. Since shipping may take some time and we wish to begin building the bikes next week, Campbell and I need to find the kits and order them as soon as possible. Looking at the fine details of parts of our project we ran into some bumps, but were able to get over all of them.

          Campbell and I then began researching questions we needed to answer in order to make an educated decision on the kit. We distinguished the difference between a 2 stroke engine and a 4 stroke engine for the gas powered bike, and began researching what value wattage has on the electric bike. Looking at pros and cons of the 2 stroke vs. the 4 stroke, we decided that the 2 stroke engine best fits our needs. It is cheaper, more powerful, and more fun than the 4 stroke. It is light weight and, with less parts, easier to assemble and tinker with. We also were able to choose the 48v 1000w electric powered bike so that Campbell and I are able to build a bike powerful enough to compare to the gas powered motor.

          We immediately realized that money was an issue. Getting in contact with Mrs. Switzer, we discovered that money did not have to be a problem. The equipment is expensive, but will be worth it in the end. The price for the kits alone ends up costing around 450$-500$. Campbell and I whipped up a proposal for Mrs. Switzer, who quickly responded saying that she does not think that will be a problem.

Looking into the details of each kit, we realized that the kits might not come with all parts that we need for the assembly process. Some kits specifically say that it comes with everything needed to mount to a bike. However, even with this assurance we are not positive that it will fit perfectly onto a bike we are able to get our hands on. We will make adjustments to the bike or kit when we receive all the parts.

            Overall, Campbell and I were able to do a lot of research on motorized bicycles. We now know how they work and what to look for in the kits and motors. We also have a better idea of how the project will go and what we need to do to make that happen. Hopefully, we will be able to visit some bike shops that will give us some professional information about the kind of bike we can use for this project. We plan to further research kits to make sure we are putting our money in the right place. I am excited to continue this project and learn more about the construction process of the bicycles. Tomorrow we will be looking into emissions. It should be a blast.