Dirtsurf - Mount and protect using innertubes and tires

Hello there, so this is my first ible, not very good at it, but  I am going to do my best.

I am a 27,brazilian applied mathematician ( no i am not a teacher, i am specialized in animal health...long story )  and for a while i have been wanting  to post a ible, and buy a dirtsurf.
Well the problem is that here we did not have dirtsruf, and importing one is was out of question, finally i came across a  guy selling a really good "generic" one in a different state and at a very reasonable price (around ($375 including shipping fee). Of course it is not the same quality (its made out of steel not aluminum), wood shape, so its way heavier but the overall quality is pretty good, 20" wheels, disc brake and all the stuff. 

So i took the guts and bought it. The main reason why i wanted one besides the fun it promised is that i am planning on transforming it to electric using a regular bike kit (crystalite or something similar) and using it to commute to work.

Being the way i am i had to upgrade it somehow!, so this ible is about how i managed to assemble it and give it a few upgrades (more to come)

Disclaimer: sorry for the bad english, its not my main lenguage, and sorry once again for the bad pics, only had my cell camera!

Step 1: Assemble

Here i dont have much to say, its a really cimple process, easier than a common bike, just put everything together  the way tis is supposed to. This model i think they call flexideck.

1 - assemble tires (inner tube, tires, rim)

2 - attach tires to  sub chassis ( there are 2 one to front and one to back) - pay attention to propperly align the rear wheel so the disc brake is somewhat alligned, we will fine tune it later

3 - join the 2 chassis usind the deck/shape, just simple screw it together, it will only fit one way!

4 - the brake adjustments is a little bit pain, cause its besically a trial and error, but what you have to do is thigthen or lose the screws that support  the brake so its propperly alligned, a good tip is to keep the wheel turnig whilist doing it.

5 - ajust the brake lever, not fancy about it just follow the cable and losen the bolt, pull the cable to de desire length and then screw it back! (tip for first lessons try to keep it really  close so it activates the brake fast, trust me its easier this way)

sorry for few pictures, i was so excited about my new toy that i just rushed into putting everything together!

Comments

[Marcaine Art]

I'm curious how the steering works? I know how it works on a regular skateboard but with only two wheels this must be very different.

[lordvellos]

Actualy you just have to lean over, the same as a regular skate. It as a pivoting arm that works similar to a gyroscop . The heavier the guy and the faster you go the easier and more stable it gets. This one is a bit heavy, i AM planning on building onde using aluminum with a few tweaks

[marsianka1991]

We also have these on the http://velobags.com.ua

[lordvellos]

sorry couldnt even figure how to translate it lol.. could you please help me? i didnt find the product there!

[caugusto1]

Cara vc é brasileiro tbm...isso é raro por aqui rs eu estava pensando em converter uma bike normal em um dirtsurfer,você acha que isso é possível?

[lordvellos]

Possivel é sim, inclusive antes de encontrar esse cara parceiro la do sul tb tava com esboços de fazer isso, mas sinceramente desisti pois nao achei que valeria a pena, veja bem a não ser que vc seja muito bom em solda, tenha os equipamentos e saiba fazer com precisão o negocio nao dá certo.

Os custos se mostraram pouco diferente do modelo basico para o que eu queria fazer, esse que comprei já é mais top!.. para se ter ideia eu iria gastar R$300 de soldador, fora a bicicleta doadora, outros R$150 e os outros materiais como freios a disco, shape tubos para alongar, etc.

sem falar que as medidas e angulos são determinantes no processo de fabricação para o bom funcionamento, um angulo errado e o dirt se torna incontrolavel!

Com a parceria que fiz com o cara consigo trazer/enviar os modelos mais basicos por cerca de R$600 e esse modelo mais top por volta dosR$800.

Se tiver interesse me avisa por mp

So uma dica, pergunte em ingles tb, sua duvida tb pode ser a de outros e ajudar!

Yes it is possible, before finding this guy in the south i made sketches to do this, but honestly i gave up because I thought it wouldnt be worth it, you see unless you are very good at soldering, have the equipment and to know accurately do the business it does not work out.

The costs proved little different from the basic model for what I wanted to do, the one I bought is a more top model! .. to get an idea I would spend R$ 300 welder, the bike donor, other R$ 150 and other materials such as disc brakes, shape tubes to stretch the frame, etc..

Not to mention that the measurements and angles are crucial in the manufacturing process for the proper functioning, a wrong angle and the dirt becomes uncontrollable!

With the partnership with the guy I can now bring / send the more basic models for about R$ 600 and more top models around R$ 800.

If you are interested let me know by pm

just a tip, also ask questions in english, it may help others too!

thanks!

[The nerdling]

i have been wanting to make one of those for ages and now i know the name, so that will help:):):):)):):):)):):):):):):):):):):):)

[lordvellos]

Cool i could help, you know the original one is patent rigth? But i was able to get the patent requirement with all the info and specs, maybe i could send it to you. I am not in any kind recommending anyone to copy it for profit use, i only have it because it was impossible for me to buy one and i needed the spec to properly see if my project was feasonable. If you need anything let me know

[The nerdling]

ok, how did you get the patent?

[lordvellos]

Actually i dont remember i have it for over an year, but i think i just google it. it was a downloadeable pdf! it has all the main info and measures!

if you want i think i could send it over e-mail.

[The nerdling]

ok, that would be good

[The nerdling]

just pm me ind il give you my email

[lordvellos]

just did that! thanks

[The nerdling]

:)

[mstyle183]

i been looking in ways to make my own dirt surfer.. and convert it into an electric one.. can you put and instructable in how you made it electric?

[lordvellos]

At least for now it is not electric yet, i am testing the specs of the plain board and its usability for day to day use and of course learning to ride it. I am taking notes for further improvements of the board and trying to buy an electric kit (way to expensive in brazil). The protection was the first part, brakes, speedometer(bike pc) ,mudguards, footstraps, carry bag and all the electric mods are to come. The final version will be electric, day to day use friendly, ligthweigth (probably aircraft graded alumminum), easy to pack and fast. I am waiting some parts to arrive as well as the protection for my body.. This thing is fast downhill ! As soon as i have more news i will post them. If yo uh need anything just ask!