BMW Classics

I found a couple of my favorite BMW vehicles.  The BMW R50 motorcycle and 3/15 car.  

Re-purposed old electronics: Way better than an ipod docking station!

So my Son is way creative and wanted a very specific look for his I-pod docking station.  So we re-purposed an old Emerson color TV and old Sony boom box.  We still have the back of it to finish up but it works great.  The old button to turn the TV on is the volume and the old VHF/UHF button is now the on, am/fm/aux button.  So cool.  My wife helped with the project by sewing some cool material over some door screen material.  We then attached it to the tv frame.  The speakers are behind the magic curtain.   It sounds really great.  I love hanging with my family and doing fun stuff.  Thanks Son!

Rough Shape:

Rough Shape cut into the nose.  Now I will shape and sand and then do the first layer of fiberglass.

The Pine Wood Derby

After Race.  Super fun.  The Blue Whale was best of show.

Nose Job

 Just starting the nose of the Trike.  You gotta love foam.

 This is a shot after adding some more foam.  This will fill in the gaps.  Next step to shape the foam.

 The side profile I was hoping to accomplish.

The pine wood derby car.  My son loves fish and really wanted a whale so he sketched it and I cut it out and fiberglassed the shape.  He will do the paint job.  I'll post another picture of it after painting is complete.  Just Whaling around.

Front Nose

 It has been a long time coming:  Here is the beginings of what will be the front of the body.

The strips will be placed to create the front hood of the cycle car.

Merry Christmas!

 The gift that was the perfect way to finish Christmas.  Talking to our missionary.  Your are awesome son!

 New wheel looking good.

 New wheel with body in the background.

New wheels and driveline.  I will need the extra driveline to make a longer driveline and include the reverse gear in the driveline.

Front Shocks

I finally got the progressive 412 shocks for the front suspension.  Now I can make the shock mounts and finish up the front suspension.  

Upper A-Arm

The hardware came in to mount the uppar a-arm.  I set the camber at 0 deg.  I had to adjust the mounting postition to get the camber at zero.  I will now do this on the passenger side.  

Disc Brakes

Disc brakes for the front wheels.  Just cleaned them up.  More coming for September.

Finally have the engine remounted.  Also rack and pinion steering mounted.  Radiator position determined.  I need to order my coil over shocks and wheels and tires.  Then start all the small details:  wiring harness, steering column, brake master cylinder, brake pedal, clutch pedal and gas pedal.  It is fun having it come together.

Updated Engine and front suspension modifications

So after measuring 5 times or so I started welding the front suspension parts together.  I only have the front engine mount supports left to do and the Engine is mounted.  Then I need to weld the front coil over shock mounts to the A-arm mounts.  Fun!

update:

Cut out 3" in the right tube section.  This will allow for the Faux floor to be flat. or slightly tapered from one end.  Waiting for steel parts to update the front suspension.  I have found some shocks that I want on e-bay and drive-line parts. 

New Tubing and Suspension and Engine Mounts

Ok.  So it has been a while since I made an update.  I ordered the steel tubing from http://www.aircraftspruce.com/ and received it (leaning on the frame).  I picked up the .187 thick steel plate for the suspension mounts and it is being cut.  So hopefully early July we will be back to welding the engine mounts and shock mounts.

Under side lay-up

Here is the lay-up on the bottom side.  It is so amazing how when you glass in the foam it becomes so strong.  So I have finished the cad work for updating my front suspension.  I just need to pick up the steel and then get the parts cut out and then I can redo the front suspension mounts...   It will be more rigid and i will now have a direct shot from the engine to the rear swing arm.  Lowering the engine 3-4 inches.  It will probably help handling.

Munich Germany!

I thought this was funny.  Literal translation thank you and good trip approx.

The Beer House in Munich.  It was fun!

I forget what it was called but it looked yummy.  Really just different types of sausages on Kraut.  I like to experience local foods.

This is where coke kissed orange.  I liked it.  A common drink in Germany

Isetta 300!  I love this micro car.

Micro!  Awesome.  One of my favorite things about the trip to Germany

Early BMW Motorcycle.  Built right after WW1

BMW 700:  Awesome.  It has a bmw motorcycle engine in the back like the bmw Isetta Limo.

BMW made a pressed steel frame for a while for added strength.  I like the look!

BMW 1930 3/15PS.  Awesome.

Frame modification phase 1

Showing Engine fit after frame modification. Next will be to redo engine mounts upper a-arm mounts and front shock mounts.  I have it all drawn in cad and will get the new pieces cut soon and then back to work.  I have been swamped and almost did not get any work done on the cycle car this month. 

Close up of frame modification.

Frame modification phase 1 completed.  So I cut the main frame rail tubes and moved them out an inch on each side.  This will allow for the engine to move down 3 inches from the original mount and will allow for a better drive-line from engine to rear wheel.

Frame Mods and body prep for lay-up

The Body frame rail tunnels will be fiber-glassed next.

This is the frame after the removal of the engine and upper suspension mounts.                                                                      

 Frame with engine mounts:  I decided to lower the engine 3 inches.  So I am cutting out most of the front frame supports.  This will allow me to lower the engine 3 inches and box in the front frame to stiffen it. 

Inside Frame Rail layup finished

Frame Rail layup done on the inside of the body.  Now I will flip the body over and finish the underside layups.  Then I will finish the layup to isolate the engine.  Making progress. 

Frame Rail Layup

 Doing a bit of a layup.  Still have a lot left to do.  Once the frame rail layups are done on the top I will finish the underside and then on to mounting the shocks.

Need to do the layup where the blue foam is showing.  I have to move it down so I can reach it much easier.  I have done the sanding so that the new layup will bond to the existing fiberglass.

Rear Suspension Shock Mount

 The steel fabricated shock mount.  I wanted to get something done in December.

A cardboard fabrication of what was wanted for a shock mount.  I also worked on the head light mold.  And am prepping the body for the lay up where the frame rail will sit.  I also finished some welding on the frame supports.  I also got the shock mount kit for Christmas and have some additonal work before those can be mounted.