Author Topic: Magic Pie powered recumbent  (Read 5780 times)

Offline David S

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Magic Pie powered recumbent
« on: October 25, 2012, 08:45:48 PM »
Hi,
I'm sure I'm not really posting this in the right place as I'm new and haven't found my way around the forum, but I've built a LWB recumbent and fitted it with a Golden motor and 48v batteries. I built the bike back in 2000 and two years later fitted a Currie with 24v lead acid batts. A couple of battery replacements, over the years , then an extra 6v lead acid connected in series boosted the top speed from 28kph to 33kph. About three years ago I replaced the Currie with the Golden motor. Very happy and the top speed is now around 46Kph which is dangerously fast, but of course I still ride it flat out most of the time. I love the cruise control.

Offline truly_bent

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Re: Magic Pie powered recumbent
« Reply #1 on: October 27, 2012, 09:34:53 AM »
And I thought I had a long wheel base. Yours looks like the stretch limo version. I'll bet she's great at speed. :)

Have you got a skin to cover that rear fairing frame, and does it improve your mileage? How's the reach to the handle bars? Looks a bit long.

Since I see no evidence of an external controller, you must be using the MP3, with its built in controller. I think the jury's still out on the reliability of those internal controllers. Hope you have good luck with yours.

Happy cruisin'
Jeff
Burley Canto recumbent w/ MP II, Lyen 18FET controller, 48V 20AH LiFeP04, Cycle Analyst, and 4 pounds of zip-ties

Offline David S

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Re: Magic Pie powered recumbent
« Reply #2 on: October 27, 2012, 12:18:16 PM »
Hi Jeff,

Yes the LWB is fantastic at speed, but less manoeuvrability at slow speed, but you get used to it. The internal controller hasn't given me trouble, but the regen braking is starting to make a bit of noise when it grabs on. I used to have a lycra cover over the back fairing frame but after about a year the lycra loses its stretch and is pretty useless. I plan on making a really lightweight carbon fibre cover for front and rear fairings. I normally have a front fairing on but it is removed ATM. It actually gives the bike remarkable stability at speed. You can really feel it working anything over 30Kph. I'm a teacher and the kids at my school call it the time machine. The reach to the bars is perfect, for me. I shall try to post a pic with rider. I sat in a plastic bag of wet concrete and made a plaster mould from that from which I cast a lightweight epoxy GRP seat that fits my arse perfectly. I'm extremely happy with the set up. It is a copy of the famous Tour Easy, but with a lower seat height and higher bottom bracket. I had to have a 56 tooth chainring made to match the high speed this thing does. It's a sweet ride.

Dave
« Last Edit: October 27, 2012, 12:29:26 PM by David S »