bluegoatwoods
Well-Known Member
Preliminary success, anyway.
I just took a ride. About a half hour long.
conditions; 18 deg F, winds SSW @ 20 mph, gusting to 29.
(I was actually riding through snow drifts in process of formation.)
And I was not uncomfortable. It was fun. My hands, feet and face did get a little chilled. No problem, though. I can bundle up a bit more.
I used my front cargo rack as the frame to build the fairing on. I have two foot wide stips running up from about 2 inches below the front axle up to the cargo platform (about head-set height). The effect is something like those leg guards that you see on old European scooters. But these turn with the front wheel, so it's not quite the same. but it's close.
At this point I have a 7 inch deep by 24 inch wide cargo platform. This is where I put on the duffel bag that carries my spare hats, gloves, rain gear, etc. Duffel bag also acts as a wind brake.
Then the fairing continues upwards to cover handlebars and hands. If you looked at it from the front, you'd see almost a "mickey mouse" profile.
the forehead is a bit below my armpit height and the ears are sticking up and out to cover my hands.
Handling was good. I was afraid, really, that the whole thing would act like a sail and give trouble. But that doesn't seem to be the case; these were windy conditions with bad gusts but everything was fine. Looks as though it's cutting and breaking up the wind.
It's made out of 3/16" plywood. So it's nothing to look at. but now that the principle is established I can start thinking about better looking materials.
Suggestions would be appreciated.
I'm gonna bundle up a bit more and take a more serious ride.
I'll report back if there's anything noteworthy.
I just took a ride. About a half hour long.
conditions; 18 deg F, winds SSW @ 20 mph, gusting to 29.
(I was actually riding through snow drifts in process of formation.)
And I was not uncomfortable. It was fun. My hands, feet and face did get a little chilled. No problem, though. I can bundle up a bit more.
I used my front cargo rack as the frame to build the fairing on. I have two foot wide stips running up from about 2 inches below the front axle up to the cargo platform (about head-set height). The effect is something like those leg guards that you see on old European scooters. But these turn with the front wheel, so it's not quite the same. but it's close.
At this point I have a 7 inch deep by 24 inch wide cargo platform. This is where I put on the duffel bag that carries my spare hats, gloves, rain gear, etc. Duffel bag also acts as a wind brake.
Then the fairing continues upwards to cover handlebars and hands. If you looked at it from the front, you'd see almost a "mickey mouse" profile.
the forehead is a bit below my armpit height and the ears are sticking up and out to cover my hands.
Handling was good. I was afraid, really, that the whole thing would act like a sail and give trouble. But that doesn't seem to be the case; these were windy conditions with bad gusts but everything was fine. Looks as though it's cutting and breaking up the wind.
It's made out of 3/16" plywood. So it's nothing to look at. but now that the principle is established I can start thinking about better looking materials.
Suggestions would be appreciated.
I'm gonna bundle up a bit more and take a more serious ride.
I'll report back if there's anything noteworthy.