The Amphibious Bike Worked! For a Brief Moment.

"Vicente Esteve" (vicente-esteve)
06/04/2014 at 21:24 • Filed to: Amphibious Bike

Me and my friends !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! for a school project which invloved using recycled materials to create something excellent. We did this.

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The debut of the unnamed bike was in my schools lagoon. It was sunny, the water was fresh, there was a soft breeze, and birds sang at a distance. As you will see, the bike did float. For now, that was the only thing I wanted it to do. Propulsion and Direction were going to be added later on.

Note my "I am the Stig" Shirt.

When I first got in the water, the bike had to pass through the mud and go deep enough so the water tanks would come to play. I used the pedals, then felt as the wheels lost tracion and the thing sank some centimeters. As I kept my weight in the water tanks, the water obviously started overflowing and it could barely keep afloat. Then, I inevitably felt on the lake and took the bike out to have another go.

The next try, I concentrated on putting all my weight at the front axle, and this worked for more time. Right until the rear water tank clipped off and all was a mess. Me and my friends returned the bike to the shore and took all the tanks off to rethink the design, and make modifications.

So, was this a success or a failure? Both. Yes, it was able to float, but no, it isnt ideal. Some extra water tanks, and a way of accelerating and turning will be added later. Enjoy the videos!

DISCUSSION (23)

Drakkon- Most Glorious and Upright Person of Genius > Vicente Esteve
06/04/2014 at 21:31

fill the whole volume of the tanks with great stuff foam so the water cannot seep in?

Vicente Esteve > Drakkon- Most Glorious and Upright Person of Genius
06/04/2014 at 21:33

Thanks! Considered

Otto-the-Croatian-'Whoops my Volvo is a sedan' > Vicente Esteve
06/04/2014 at 21:40

I don't believe this I just watched the amphibious cars Top Gear episode.
Good effort man.

Drakkon- Most Glorious and Upright Person of Genius > Vicente Esteve
06/04/2014 at 21:42

it looks like you are using water bottles so low risk but here is a warning. Start with the regular great stuff but only fill it half way at the most. The stuff expands with such force it could split the bottle. If it's too much expansion use the'window and door' version. It expands less aggressively.

Vicente Esteve > Otto-the-Croatian-'Whoops my Volvo is a sedan'
06/04/2014 at 21:51

Hahah! I love that episode, thanks!

Vicente Esteve > Drakkon- Most Glorious and Upright Person of Genius
06/04/2014 at 21:52

I dont really want to use protection in this thing, thanks!

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > Vicente Esteve
06/04/2014 at 21:57

That was awesome, you had more success than I today.

nFamousCJ - Keeper of Stringbean, Gengars and a Deezul > Vicente Esteve
06/04/2014 at 22:03

lop of tire and use the added gap to attach some fins to the rear rim and you'll be making progress easy. The other guys seem to have your buoyancy issue figured out.

Vicente Esteve > Vince-The Roadside Mechanic
06/04/2014 at 22:13

What happened?

Vicente Esteve > nFamousCJ - Keeper of Stringbean, Gengars and a Deezul
06/04/2014 at 22:14

Thanks a lot! I will really consider it.

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > Vicente Esteve
06/04/2014 at 22:24

The burnout failed but I made this new blog. http://pull-start-my-heart.kinja.com/welcome-to-pul…

Vicente Esteve > Vince-The Roadside Mechanic
06/04/2014 at 22:26

Awesomee!

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > Vicente Esteve
06/04/2014 at 22:29

Haha thanks, want authorship?

Vicente Esteve > Vince-The Roadside Mechanic
06/04/2014 at 22:31

Thanks a lot, but I really dont know much about mechanics! I appreciate it though.

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > Vicente Esteve
06/04/2014 at 22:33

It is also a learning blog and are you gonna make the drift lawn mower your dad suggested?

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Vicente Esteve
06/04/2014 at 22:48

In reality, it was a valiant effort, and could work with a few tweaks. Still, I couldn't pass up an opportunity to post this:

Kinja'd!!!

Vicente Esteve > Vince-The Roadside Mechanic
06/04/2014 at 22:49

haha someday man. And your blog is the first place to go.

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > Vicente Esteve
06/04/2014 at 22:50

Sweet, Are you getting that bug?

Vicente Esteve > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
06/04/2014 at 22:50

Haha, I thought of that exactly as the water was devouering the rear tanks. I was all:" thats not gone well..."

Vicente Esteve > Vince-The Roadside Mechanic
06/04/2014 at 22:51

Im probably getting another VW. A 20 year old one around. I plan on restoring it like APiDA only WAY less cool, and trying to make a profit. My father agreed, as he will fund me with my first buy. For now, I have found some candidates, and if I get enough money, the buisness will keep on!

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > Vicente Esteve
06/04/2014 at 22:52

Scirocco????

Mattbob > Vicente Esteve
06/05/2014 at 10:03

may I suggest taking a bit of an engineering approach, and determine the buoyancy of your jugs, and try to determine how much you will need at each corner. A little pencil and paper work makes things like this go a lot smoother. For reference density of water is 1,000 kg/m^3 gravity is 9.8 m/s^2 and Force=Mass x acceleration. This should get you started. You can into engineer. also this http://wiki.ubc.ca/Buoyancy,_Pres…

Vicente Esteve > Mattbob
06/05/2014 at 10:42

thanks a lot! Appreciate