King Blackfoot Wheelie bar?????

[Sammy]

Hi,

After various searching through the forums, there is NO mention of whellie bar for the KBF!

There is no official Tamiya part (that's a suprise!) and there's no GPM ones or anything to see....

Has anyone made one from scratch?

This thing wheelies like mad, and I'm gonna knacker my pristine bodyshell... let me know what I can do..

Sam

[ZenMoto]

I made one on our FDM machine at work, though I need to get some piano-wire to finish the outriggers. The first outrigger I made with an aircraft pushrod and it was to bendy, just got all bent up. I'm sure with spring steel it would be perfect. I use foam aircraft landing gear wheels on the wire and it's perfect ...the thing wheelies and then rides it out on the wheels with no problems. The beauty is, with the wire and the foam wheels it has built in suspension so it doesn't "bounce" the truck back down.

If you want pics I'll try to take some later, the thing works great; it just snaps on over the diff-case and doesn't go anywhere! I might be able to make you one (the bracket, you'll have to bend your own wire and provide your won wheels. Let me know and I'll see if ICan get some time on the FDM. ...what color do you like? Red, blue, white, or black? lol

[Sammy]

Hi ZenMoto,

Are you based in the uK?

That would be great if you could get me some pictures - either post them to the forum, or I can PM you my email address... it's up to you.

If you could make me one, it would be great, as I really don't want to wreck my pristine bodyshell... How much would you need?

Let me know,

Sam

[ZenMoto]

I'm in the uS, but they don't weigh anything so I could ship it overseas. Let me get with our engineering head to see when I can get some time on the FDM, I need to make an extra one anyway ...is black ok? If shipping is preety cheap, I'll just send it out no charge. ...if it's over $10 I might ask you for a PayPal or something, but I doubt it will be that much. I'll get some pics as soon as I can.

[Sammy]

Thanks ZenMoto.

That would be great! Black's fine

If you need some money, let me know...

Pictures would be great... but whenever is possible.

Sam

[ZenMoto]

I'm out of the office today, but back tomorrow (I keep all my toys there). I'll try to get some pics tomorrow. I already have the go-shead to make a couple (you can fit two on the platter so I'm making a spare). The thing is, the FDM machine uses ABS plastic, so the thing is indestructible when it's done. I think you'll be pleased!

I'll post up some pics Friday!

[Sammy]

Thanks ZenMoto!

That sounds great.

Let me know if you need a contribution,

Sam

P.S. I have emailed you my address.

[ZenMoto]

Ok man, the FDM is mine over the weekend so I'm going to make myself a new one, and one for you. Here are some pics of my first prototype which works awesome! Note that I didn't use music wire/spring steel because I didn't have any. This is a push-rod control bar for an airplane (soft metal) which is why it's all bent. If you go to your LHS and get foam wheels and a pack of wheel stoppers (I don't know what they're called, the little metal spacers with a set screw in them to keep the wheels from moving laterally on the rod) you can bend the shape you want and drill the holes out to the size of your wire. ...you shouldn't even need to glue the wire in if you do it right!

Here is a shot of my well used and bent up part. Note that this one was made in two pieces because someone paused the FDM machine and removed the part before it was done. The new ones will be one solid piece.

My KB ...love the broken rear shock tower eh? []

Attach it by fitting the bottom of the part into the nook made between the diff case and the rear skid-plate.

Then line up the groove on the inside with the rib that runs along the back edge of the diff case.

Once it is centered on that lip, you just need to start pressing it over the bumps where the screws hold the diff case together.

When it snaps on it will *SNAP* on!

A look from below.

Even with the **** wire and the wheels bent at odd angles, with the foam wheels it still settled into a nice wheelie and tracked straight ahead.

I'll let you knnow when it goes in the mail.

-Z

[Sammy]

That looks GREAT!

Thank's Zen.

Any ideas what size wheels I need?

Sam

[ZenMoto]

I threw out the package, but they are maybe 3cm diameter. Basically go to the hobby shop to get the wire and browse their selection of landing gear wheels ...you'll want the foam type like the ones I used, just find ones that fit the diamater of the wire, the size of the tire isn't that important so long as you don't get something too big! lol The holes in the part I'm making are pretty small, and I drill them out to the size of the wire which leavis a nice, snug fit for the wire. This is important because you don't want them falling out, but you also don't want to have to glue the wire in place, in case you want/need to change something about the wheelie bar.

-Dale

[Sammy]

Thanks Dale,

I'll wait for the package, then I'll be able to get the right stuff.

Can't wait for it to arrive,

Keep wheeliing,

Sam

[ZenMoto]

Just an update, I started the new parts on the machine last night (Friday) before leaving the office. They will be done monday when I get back and I'll ship it out then. ...it takes $22 worh of ABS material to make these things! lol (I don't pay for the matarial so don't sweat it).

I've improved the design slightly, making them a little wider to allow more material around the holes where the were goes into the part. Also, I've added a hole to the rear-spar so you can run a second wire through and bend it down and around the main wire as a secondary brace if needed.

I'll let you know Monday when I actually get the piece out in the mail.

Cheers,

-Z

[Sammy]

Great, cheers Dale.

Sounds great. Are you sure you don't want a contribution?

With the secondary brace, it'll be super sturdy [8)]

Can't wait for it to arrive,

Sam

[ZenMoto]

Hey Sam,

I left your address at home, but the part is done and looks great! Can you re-send me your address to my work email?

dwagler@line6.com

Thanks,

Dale