Yesterday at Chris' he welded up the modifications to the Flyer's steering assembly. The mods were made to tighten up the play in the steering shaft, and to allow the fitment of a standard round steering wheel. Thanks Chris for all the work you put in aon these parts!
Today I re-installed the modified steering assembly and reconnected the steering cable. I had added two additional steering pulleys wich greatly reduced the effort rquired to turn the wheels. I also added threaded turnbuckles attached to the front axle with carabiners also in an attempt to eliminate looseness in the steering system. Lastly I installed spring loaded idler pulleys to take up the slop when steering direction is reversed. Static testing of the steering showed it to be easier to turn the wheels, and the slack that was once present between the pulleys and steering shaft when direction was reversed is now nonexistant.
After I finished up the steering I rewired the horns to the new rear battery location. I relocated the on/off toggle switch to a position on the floorboard just ahead of the seat cushion. I mounted the horn button on the left side of the cockpit at approximately arm level with my hands on the steering wheel. Mounted there I can activate the horns with my forearm without taking my hands off the steering wheel.
Next it was time to put her on the scales. My total weight estimate from the previous addition of cement and lead was 274.5 lbs. I figure the scales to be about + - 5 lbs. The scales showed the Flyer to now be 176 lbs. front, and 98 lbs. rear, for a total weight of 274. With the prior weight of the car measured at 225 lbs. that is a net gain of almost 50 lbs. The original weight bias was 60% front to 40% rear. At 274 the bias is now 64% front to 35% rear. I figure if I add the final 23 to 26 lbs. right behind the seat the bias should end up around 59% front to 41% rear at 300 lbs total weight.
So all in all I feel I have accomplished my goals for the Flyer. I completed the work to tighten up the steering and make it more sensitive to input. I installed the additional rear brake system. I increased the overall weight of the car without upsetting the original front to rear weight bias. And I even made the car a little more comfortable (well at least for me!). Next up is a couple quick test runs, after which the Flyer goes back up to Dennis Hart's shop for bodywork and paint.
