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Post by preston on Jun 27, 2011 20:40:11 GMT -5
send one to Westminster , while your at it.
Preston
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Post by stinson on Jun 27, 2011 21:12:34 GMT -5
Wow, great tech thanks for posting this in detail. I would buy one too if i don't get one made first.
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Post by xsleo on Jul 17, 2011 11:53:33 GMT -5
I think this is a good idea, I'd like one too. I think this needs a sticky.
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Post by dogbunny on Jul 17, 2011 13:18:45 GMT -5
I am placing my initial order for correct-length thermometers tomorrow (Monday). The thermometers are made in the USA. It will take about 2 weeks until I receive the initial release, and I should begin shipping the first units about a week after that. I tested a few different thermometers, and the original one that I used is the best. I only have a few hundred miles on mine, but it seems to be quite rugged. Although the gauge is not liquid-filled, the helix bi-metal strip is silicone-dampened, and there is almost no needle vibration. The finished product will be completely made from new parts. I have solved the problem of the probe rubbing against the transmission gear. The unit will have an articulated (similar to knurled) gripping surface. I am going to sell the first 25-40 units for about $40-45 plus about $5 shipping. After the beta test, I foresee the price being about $50-55 plus about $5 shipping. I appreciate all of the interest and encouragement. Rather than replying to this post, I would appreciate it if you would respond to william@handspiral.com and I will put you on a wait list, filling orders in the order that I receive them. In the beginning, I will only be able to make about two or three units a day. Again, the first 25-40 units will be at a reduced price. Thanks a lot. william@handspiral.com |
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Post by ShakerNorm on Jul 17, 2011 13:40:55 GMT -5
Got my order in!
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Post by pamcopete on Jul 17, 2011 18:24:00 GMT -5
dogbunny,
I just sent you $50 for mine via PayPal.
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Post by dogbunny on Jul 17, 2011 18:44:40 GMT -5
ShakerNorm and pamcopete, thank you very much for your votes of confidence, and thank you for the payment, I really appreciate it. I'm not really expecting or requesting payment yet, I just want to give this particular forum first shot at my first units, so I am making a wait list. And, I hate to clog the "30 most recent posts" feature with my enterprise. So, any one else, please just email me at william@handspiral.com with your request, and then I will have your email so that I can contact you when I am ready to ship. I will keep this thread updated with my progress. Thanks again! |
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Post by Decker on Jul 18, 2011 12:49:07 GMT -5
emailed!
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Post by teamsd46 on Jul 19, 2011 21:09:02 GMT -5
dogbunny,
Let's put this mod to the test. Team: Slightly Dangerous #s46 races P2 Vintage Sidecar on race courses across the Midwest, East and South. I will be at Mid-Ohio this weekend with other Yamaha powered rigs and see if they also would be interested in your product.
Thanks for your time and effort,
Dale Lavender
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Post by dogbunny on Aug 3, 2011 18:48:10 GMT -5
I just received the initial shipment of the correct-length custom thermometers.
Yesterday I recieved the mold-making silicone and supplies.
By Friday, I should receive the high-temperature casting resin.
It will take a day or two to make the master model, then a couple of more days to make and cure the initial mold, and then a couple of more days to cast the first finished ThermoDipStick. It might even take a little longer -- there is not a tremendous amount of work to do, but there is a lot of slow, controlled curing involved, and a lot of slow, back-and-forth corresponding with a master modeler-molder-caster who I am consulting with.
In any case, the end is in sight, and hopefully, I will have the first unit in a week or so if I don't hit any snags. I will post updates.
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Post by pamcopete on Aug 4, 2011 7:06:02 GMT -5
dogbunny,
Thanks for the update. Looking forward to getting mine while it is still hot out there!
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Post by ShakerNorm on Aug 5, 2011 18:26:41 GMT -5
You're gonna make a lot of XS's happy bikes, Dog....
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Post by dogbunny on Aug 10, 2011 10:20:22 GMT -5
 Here is the first finished XS650 ThemoDipStick. I'll be ready to ship units in just a few more days.  I was even able to reproduce the little recessed area with the tiny raised lip where the gasket goes.    This is the vacuum chamber I built for degassing the mold rubber and the high-temperature casting resin. Degassing is a fancy term that means getting rid of the air bubbles that you get when you mix part A with part B. The vacuum chamber was interesting. I found a thick, heavy, glass candle holder at Goodwill for $2.99. I also got a thick cast aluminum cook pot at Goodwill for $3.99 -- I only used the lid. The lid gasket was made from a piece of inner tube. All the fittings were $21. The vacuum gauge was $14 on eBay. The only thing left was the vacuum pump. I had a small one from another project, but it only drew -16 h.i.g. mercury. For degassing, you need -29 h.i.g. mercury, which is a tremendous amount of vacuum -- each number is an exponential increase. The harbor freight pump shown cost $80 after using a 20% off coupon. All told, the vacuum chamber cost me about $122 plus some tax. I just finished casting a second mold and the next finished unit. |
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Post by pamcopete on Aug 10, 2011 12:20:48 GMT -5
dogbunny,
Looking good!
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Post by 5twins on Aug 10, 2011 15:03:23 GMT -5
In anticipation of getting my new temp dip stick, I've been doing some price checking on the gasket. MikesXS wants $5 for one. The Yamaha retail is only $2.90 !!!!!!!!! Obviously, I won't be buying one from Mike's, lol.
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