BD sporting its new wideloaders and a test drive to Moe’s BBQ in preparation for the inaugural bike mini-tour in Steamboat.
Part two of bike electrification is the BDSS (Big Dummy Sound System).
Components are:
- Speakers: KLH Audio Systems S-PRO4 Satellite Series Speakers (from Radio Shack, Catalog #40-148) (About $50)
- “Cheng Sheng Mini HiFi Stereo Amplifier Amp For Mp3 mp4 Ipod Car” from Ebay. $1.25 + $10.95 S&H from Hong Kong
- 12v SLA Battery
- Female Cigarette Lighter (for other 12v items) w/ inline fuse
- Inline fuse (2Amp)
- Speaker Wire
“Cheng Sheng”… Ask for it by name!!! (Can somebody say Engrish!!!)
The power connector was taken off of an old power supply that I had in a box of junk that happened to have the proper adapter for the amp.
The amp is mounted to the bottom of the snapdeck with double sided mounting tape. I got the “extra heavy duty” tape so the amp will not end up stuck in my rear wheel.
I used an old milk carton for a splash guard, mounted with double sided tape. Since I don’t have a rear fender, this should keep most of the water and mud off of the amp, yet still allow it to breath.
Another view of the splashguard looking from the rear under the snapdeck:
And a view of the amp mounted in place. It is easy to reach back to adjust the volume. Make sure whatever amp you find from ebay has a big volume knob, makes it easy for on the fly adjustments. And of course has a cool brand name like Cheng Sheng.
I used an old Griffin “Wave” iPhone case for the holder. Journey Escape (old school) spinning on the iPhone.
The case is held by a plastic bike pump frame mount bracket (Planet Bike SKU #1009-2). A velcro strap in the middle holds the bracket in place.
Another view of the holder, I drilled through the phone case with two small flathead screws, and into the bracket.
And taped it with electrical tape to hide the sharp points.
Speaker brackets (included) were mounted with nylon zip ties. I placed some adhesive foam insulation tape on the inside of the brackets and then attached with three nylon zip ties for each speaker. I’d like to build a better bracket connection, but that’s all that I’ve got so far.
I passed a coworker who said it made the BD look kind of like a rocket ship.
A few photos of the Christmas Dummy giving rides to my 11 year old daughter and 3 year old niece…
Last night, I took my 11 year old daughter to see the new multi-trillion or so dollar new release Avatar at the local theater. She has her own bicycle, a pink Electra Cruiser, but without adequate snow tires and the yet to be developed winter riding skills, on the back of the BD she was, laughing, having a great time as we played Black Eyed Peas I Gotta Feeling on the bike stereo.
Its pretty safe to say that I’ve got a lot of faith in my homebrewed snow tires, with the most precious cargo on the back, they worked perfectly, even over patches of ice and hardpack.
She reported to me that:
It was the best movie I’ve ever seen, Daddy. Even better than New Moon!
Thanks Xtracycle for the posting of floor reflection on your Xtracycle Art flickr page!
View it here
BD got dressed up as a Santa surfing machine, and we entered the Eagle Christmas Parade.
Here’s the gang that braved the weather to play in the parade
and some shots of the Christmas Bike all decorated…
Those are 110v LED lights from walleyworld, run from a 12v to 110v inverter
and a preview of the Christmasbike in action:
-16 degrees this morning, and quite cold. Snow tires are working well, although I’ve had two flats on the rear tire, as the screw heads are popping through the duct tape and puncturing the tube. I’ve lined it with an old inner tube, and trying again…
Updated on Thursday the 10th… another flat on the front tire, I’m sure its the same issue, so going to line it too with an old inner tube.
I made some snow tires, as a big storm finally hit Eagle Sunday night…
An old set of MTB tires, then I drilled every other knobby from the outside in…
and screwed in the self tapping sheet metal screws…
a closeup of the screw.
And here they are in action:
Just a quick video (with a twist) of the Christmasbike that will be in the town parade tonight.
Fleming’s OK, only the camera fell, not him…
Here is “the plan” for tonight’s parade:
It’s snowing right now, BD does not have snow tires as of yet, so it may make for an interesting time.
what good folks are saying