Sewing Central!
With a couple of days sitting in front of the "Speed" channel, and watching a few movies I finally finished my finger skirts. The craft requires 68 skirts of 2 different types. The 12 skirts at the back of the craft are designed to avoid scooping water. I made 25 spare skirts which puts the total at 93- Hehehehehehe... I was going from welding to sewing on an almost daily basis!!
93 skirts take up half the seating area!
While working like a maniac on the skirts I was also working on getting the engine and drive train sorted out- a lot of what I call "Engineering On The Fly". I had a pretty good idea about how I wanted things to work, but it still takes time to get things laid out properly and welded. It didn't help that the original frame that I ordered from Nell fabrication came galvanized. If you don't weld, or haven't had the thrill of welding this stuff you really don't know what your missing! Fumes that can make you VERY sick, and a spattering, smoky mess await the unwary.
Some Initial layout work
I initially set the engine and drive train components on a large work table and tried different ideas by simply placing the components in their approximate positions. Once everything worked out as planned I built a framework to hold the motor and welded it to the original frame. Once the engine mount framework was welded the assembly was on the table again. The engine was placed in the framework in the proper position. I then built the engine mounts and tack welded them in place- while attached to the motor. The motor was removed, and the engine mounts were welded to the frame....
Tack welded engine mounts
So it went. Piece by piece was designed, welded, and reassembled until the entire the engine and drive train were complete!
Completed Frame
By looking at the picture above you can see that bearing blocks can be adjusted for chain tension coming from the motorcycle motor. I'm using a 530 Tsubacki "O" ring chain- overkill for this application, but damn strong! If you look closely to the left of the closest sprocket you will see the second chain tensioner that adjusts the chain that attaches to the belt drive. This second tensioner is adjusted from underneath. The power unit is now complete!
Complete power unit... Minus the duct.
I trial fitted the motor into the craft, and made a few minor modifications to allow for proper alignment.
The air cleaner assembly makes the engine look more off center than it actually is. After careful weighing I've found that with my motorcycle battery mounted I will actually be +3 lbs on the right side of the craft.... I think I can live with that ;) The entire power plant (engine, frame, fan assembly, bearings, shafts, sprockets, belts, and chains) weighs in at 181 lbs.
Engine Mounts and modified engine compartment
Good News.... I have FINALLY come across a couple of 6 gallon gas tanks that actually WILL fit under the seats! Will wonders never cease??? So now I must pose a question to the readers....
How do you get two gas tanks like this-
to fit under the front and rear seats without cutting the craft apart????
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