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Post by Bluefront on Oct 1, 2010 5:39:41 GMT -5
I made one for my Xingyue......no pictures yet and no tests yet, but the prototype is on there, and ready to go. I've been working on some cold-weather stuff, and thought this would be a good project. Mine is made of water-proof materials, so it's good in the rain also......and it's not as big as this one on a Vespa/Bajaj-type scooter. I'm mostly interested in keeping the cold wind and rain off my legs, rather than using the lap blanket to stay warm, and as a partial scooter cover. And I wanted the blanket to stay attached when not in use, and not get in the way. Looks like it'll work......stay tuned for photos/results. Anybody with experience with lap blankets? Here's another type that doesn't attach to the scooter..... I don't much care for this one........ but it's an option.
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Post by Bluefront on Oct 1, 2010 8:03:05 GMT -5
Here's the first photo, with the lap cover folded in the down position. There are four weights on the lower edge, which should keep it from flapping around, and hold it securely when it's in the "up" position, resting on your lap. Bet you never saw anything like this before.......
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Post by Bluefront on Oct 3, 2010 5:37:19 GMT -5
It's in the testing phase now....got about 100 miles on it, using it in the rain and at temperatures in the low 50s. It works great. My jeans hardly got a drop on them in a pretty good rainfall......and the difference it made to my knees was dramatic. All you need do is let down the cover while riding along (easy), and feel your knees start to get cold. It does take some getting-used-to. You need to pull up the cover before you start moving....and you need to balance on your left leg when stopped. Once you start moving, you pull back the cover slightly on the left side......the right side stays in place when stopped. I added some weights along the edges, to hold down any cover movement when moving along. My testing was mostly around 50mph.....no problems at that speed. With the cover in the down-position, you'll have no problem at any speed. I'm designing this thing to be used in cold, maybe rainy weather.....when most people don't ride very fast anyway. Version #2 is in the works. It needs to be about 2" longer, and a few minor adjustments. More on this invention coming....... Oh...in case anybody is wondering how this device attaches, it uses the same Velcro attachment as this knee bag. You simply pull off the lap-cover and replace the knee/belt bag. The attachment Velcro is mostly invisible.
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Post by Bluefront on Oct 3, 2010 11:19:40 GMT -5
Here are a few more photos of the prototype......still being tweaked. Here it is in the raised position, with me just holding it up. It looks about the same when I'm sitting under it. The red lines are where the weights are located (on the inside so you really can't see them very well). In order for this thing to work well, and still be safe riding with it.....Your legs should not be obstructed should you need to put your legs down, say at a stop on a questionable surface. Those two different lap covers in the first post don't look very safe to me.....
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Post by keetarider on Oct 3, 2010 17:42:54 GMT -5
As usual...nice mod Blue. Even in the proto stage yours is the one I'd want to ride with. I'm watching this closely. Already gonna have to have one.
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Post by puddle jumper on Oct 3, 2010 18:08:52 GMT -5
I'll take one
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Post by Bluefront on Oct 3, 2010 18:55:20 GMT -5
Uhh.....no. You'll make one, if you want one. It's going to be rather easy, depending on how fancy you want it.
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Post by keetarider on Oct 3, 2010 20:30:46 GMT -5
What type of material is that, as in where do i get me some! I like this design much better than any of the "skirts" I've seen around, and I was already contemplating long underwear before running to the store today
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Post by als01seville on Oct 3, 2010 22:15:51 GMT -5
Why bother with something like that, I would think if you get into trouble it would get in the way and cause more trouble than its worth. Why not just get a good Pair of SKI pants, thats what I use. They are water proof and not a bit of cold gets through them. They also have Overalls which will also cover your chest area and back if your jacket is not doing its job. Alleyoop
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Post by Bluefront on Oct 4, 2010 5:04:17 GMT -5
Right now the whole design is "patent-pending" . When I get this to version #2, I'll give the full particulars. The materials are easily attainable......come in one piece, and require no stitching. Here's the deal about these things......in theory you could wear any pants you wanted under the cover, even thin dress pants in cool temperatures. A set of thin thermal underwear and standard jeans should do it in colder temperatures. This thing would be perfect for somebody just riding to work, who doesn't want to change clothes after he gets there. Now in really freezing temperatures, for longer rides.......something more drastic is called-for, like heavy snowmobile pants. Not very many scooter people ride in such conditions however, particularly for long distances. Basically....this is made for people who want to extend their riding season, without resorting to big, bulky, winter clothing. My main complaint when I rode cycles in the winter.....cold knees. There are leg gaiters, and other leg/knee protectors available, but they are awkward to use. This thing just hangs there, self-storing.....ready to use in a flash if your knees/legs start to get uncomfortable, or if it starts raining. If there is anything else quite like it out there for a scooter, I haven't seen it. If you DIY, all the materials necessary should cost around $25.
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Post by Bluefront on Oct 4, 2010 7:12:38 GMT -5
Ok.....since it's already cold in many places, and the cover itself is now on sale, Here it is. The magnets are the weights that rest on your lap.......and actually hold the sides together when the thing is folded. The folds should be obvious when you hold it up on your scooter. The overall length can be adjusted with staples....other things. There are countless options available to you when you put this thing together. I did this first one in about two hours.....including all the measuring and marking. Stuff used.....Industrial-strength Velcro, lead weights, staples, vinyl Gorilla tape, some snaps, and a strip of soft plastic to strengthen the edge that attaches to the scoot.
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Post by keetarider on Oct 4, 2010 22:57:25 GMT -5
Thanks Blue. That's what I thought it looked like.
Looks a lot more handy than having to find a place to cram that full snow suit, and lose all the trunk space, once it stops raining on me.
I already have a nice pair of carhart bibs, but they aren't water repellent any longer, just warm. I like having options, and this is a good and a reasonably priced one. Thanks again for the tip.
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Post by Bluefront on Oct 7, 2010 17:48:35 GMT -5
On to version #2.....using a new fender cover. This one will be about 1 1/2" longer than the first version, when resting on my lap. It's about as long as possible to still hang straight on this scoot, without bunching up on the floor-board. Start out with the plastic strip, a piece of plastic lawn edge molding 10" long. It's attached to the cover using chrome snaps. (this is the step where you adjust the overall length of the cover) Flap the edge over.....add more snaps, and Velcro strips. These are inside views of the folds....first fold. And the final fold.....and this is the final shape when attached in a folded position, hanging on the scoot. (you can see the magnet/weights in this view, resting against each other. This is what holds the cover lower edge together, when in the folded position. And you can see some Velcro squares which hold the lower edge securely to the scoot.) I haven't added the edge weights yet, and I think I might install a felt liner to the inside, making it a little warmer with the insulation liner resting on my lap. This version looks a little less "busy" when hanging on the scoot. More tweaking to come.... Another feature I forgot to mention. when parked, you can lock-up your helmet, sitting on the floorboard (using the chrome helmet lock visible in some of these photos)......then use this lap cover to keep rain/snow off the helmet. It could also be used to cover up packages, or whatever. And one view I haven't shown yet......off-scooter storage. This version folds up completely flat......about 1/3 the size of when it's hanging on the scooter.
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Post by Bluefront on Oct 10, 2010 17:18:45 GMT -5
Version #2 is about finished.......Here's the back-side now. The red outline......added side weights (cut off version #1 and held on with snaps). The yellow outline....about 5oz of lead strip weights on each side, inside the edge (these are strip wheel balance weights used on cars, with self-stick backing. Green outline......the Velcro strip that holds the device to the scoot. You could use snaps instead if you didn't want Velcro. Blue outline.....added-on felt section that touches your knees and legs. I added a few more Velcro sections which enable the lap cover to remain in a raised position......maybe to dry it out if the underside gets wet, or to cover your helmet hanging on the helmet hook. It would be possible to add a removable section to cover the entire seat....might do that. Here it is with me sitting under it, after adding same reflector strips. I'm almost ready for those cold days to come.
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Post by Bluefront on Oct 14, 2010 5:27:07 GMT -5
Here are a few more uses for the Harbor Freight fender cover (still $8). I had the original cover now cut up.....So I used one section to make a dash cover, which hangs on the windshield mount. Some weights on the bottom edge to keep it from flying off in the wind. And here's another fender cover used to completely cover the seat, preventing sun damage when parked, or to just keep rain/snow off the seat. It can be used by itself, or attached to the raised lap cover (like the photo). It folds down into a small package that could be carried in the seat bucket. The built-in weights keep it from blowing around, and you can easily add more edge weights. In the photo it is attached to the lap cover with Velcro. OH.....that last photo. Look at the sun-fading of the EMGO tail-bag. This thing is maybe 5 months old, and is stored in my garage when I'm not riding the scoot. So it's only sun exposure is of very limited duration. Not very happy about this.....but I like the bag. Some vinyl paint will fix it.
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Post by Bluefront on Oct 30, 2010 5:52:18 GMT -5
We've had some colder weather here lately, giving me a chance to test this device under winter-like conditions. I did one 50 mile ride at about 35 degrees, and windy. The edge weights are working well.....no need to add any more. At speeds up to 50mph the thing doesn't flap around at all. I may add another layer of insulation on the section that rests on your upper legs. I am in the process of trying out some retention straps, with a break-away Velcro setup attached to belt loops. These should keep the cover secured more positively in the riding position, allowing a person to put his legs on the ground, and back up again without repositioning the cover. After more tweaking I'll put up some photos. Want to buy something similar to this? Check out Peak Scooter foul-weather gear. Very good prices.
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Post by Bluefront on Nov 3, 2010 17:06:58 GMT -5
Here are the retention straps I made for the lap cover.....you really need only the center one, and it's adjustable using the Velcro attachment. I also made two belt attachments, which you just leave on the belt when you're off the scoot. With a little more practice for me.....you can put your left leg down at a stop, and then lift it back up without touching the cover to reposition. Right now I'm at about 75% of the time. It does require some getting used to for sure, but it works very well. Sitting on the seat, lap cover up and secured. Belt quick-release......if you forget the thing is attached and get off the scoot, the Velcro just pulls loose.
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Post by Bluefront on Dec 3, 2010 15:42:21 GMT -5
Update.....I've been on two different three hour rides in the upper 20s. This thing works......the temperature of your knees/legs becomes a non-issue. You don't even think about it. You start noticing other cold body parts.....like your face. The other good thing....when riding on a 25 degree day, you won't have to worry about other scooter/cycle riders pointing and laughing. Their own bikes are home in the garage. On a three hour ride this morning, I saw only one Harley, pulling into the local dealer as I was passing by. The county Harley bar & grill didn't have a single bike out front at noon. Their bikes either didn't start, or their knees got too cold to ride.
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Post by 89newbie on Mar 17, 2011 1:38:37 GMT -5
Here are a few more uses for the Harbor Freight fender cover (still $8). I had the original cover now cut up.....So I used one section to make a dash cover, which hangs on the windshield mount. Some weights on the bottom edge to keep it from flying off in the wind. And here's another fender cover used to completely cover the seat, preventing sun damage when parked, or to just keep rain/snow off the seat. It can be used by itself, or attached to the raised lap cover (like the photo). It folds down into a small package that could be carried in the seat bucket. The built-in weights keep it from blowing around, and you can easily add more edge weights. In the photo it is attached to the lap cover with Velcro. OH.....that last photo. Look at the sun-fading of the EMGO tail-bag. This thing is maybe 5 months old, and is stored in my garage when I'm not riding the scoot. So it's only sun exposure is of very limited duration. Not very happy about this.....but I like the bag. Some vinyl paint will fix it.
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Post by 89newbie on Mar 17, 2011 1:56:48 GMT -5
And here's another fender cover used to completely cover the seat, preventing sun damage when parked, or to just keep rain/snow off the seat. when I'm not riding the scoot. So it's only sun exposure is of very limited duration. Not very happy about this.....but I like the bag. Some vinyl paint will fix it. [/quote] Hello, new here. Just found this site member at others. Ive ridden Motor Cycles for hmm, like 49 years in July, and think this is best idea I have ever seen for weather and bikes! Great and better than the commercially available ones. Chaps, rainsuits, removing wet bike covers are time consuming. This idea givs the spontanious ride it back to us! All the time consuming stuff makes us want to skip the moped, take the truck and waste a few gallons of gas. Also where did you get the mits they are fantastic? ;D
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Post by Bluefront on Mar 17, 2011 4:26:36 GMT -5
Thanks.....this device is obviously for the hard-core rider who rides in all sorts of weather, even at winter temperatures, and for longer distances. For the rest of the people on two wheels.....your legs/feet get a little wet (big deal). Frankly....this particular winter around here was different from normal. There was ice and snow on the ground/streets for a big percentage of the time (don't ride under those conditions on my scoot). The rest of the time it wasn't that cold or wet.....so I didn't need the lap cover but a few times. Those hand covers were made by the Vetter Fairing Company......called "Hippo Hands". The company is now OOB.....but there is another company using that idea and Hippo Hands name. I've used the things on a variety of cycles/scooters starting with my '71 Kawasaki. I don't see how anyone could improve on the design.....I've used them all winter. They'll come off in a month or so.
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Post by curcor01 on Jun 10, 2011 21:42:46 GMT -5
This is a great idea for us ladies who ride to work in skirts! Makes a great modesty panel! The handle covers resemble what I use on my 4-wheeler & snowmobile in cold weather. You can find them in any snowmobile gear catalog.
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