Fender extension (for use with KETS)

[joe]

I do like the idea of KETS (http://www.bandster.us/kets.html) (link to the thread in the Buy & Sell forum (http://www.segwaychat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=12709)) but I'm somewhat concerned about the fender clearance. Therefore I thought about a "fender extension" to add a little space. The fenders are mounted with four screws to the outward side of the gearboxes and with two screws to the base. To add 2 cm (0.7874015 inch :p ) in height an extension could look like this:

http://segwaying.com/pics/fender_ext.png

I made a prototype out of a thin aluminum plate:

http://segwaying.com/pics/fender_ext.jpg

The plate would be mounted to the gearbox:

http://segwaying.com/pics/fender_ext_mounted.jpg

And the fender itself screwed on to the plate:

http://segwaying.com/pics/fender_ext_on_fender.jpg

(Showed with p-series fender - of course KETS are for i-series)

Because the plastic "clasp" a little bit around the gearboxes, the fenders would need to be modified (cut at the red lines), this is what I didn't finished yet. For the two lower screws there is no matching screw hole in the base - one could drill them into the base (battery section - no danger for the powerbase electronics), or use glue, or omit them. A final version should be made of stainless steel (stamped out or laser cutted :) ). For the prototype I used a scroll saw but it is very difficult to meet a precise result.

What do you think about the idea?

--
Johannes

[william collins]

I'm using Karls Kets and they don,t rub the fender tho there is not very much room between the tire and fender ...Your idea is good for someone using the Super Kets ..I'm told they will rub...I say make up some and put a few for sale here and at E-bay ..Could make yourself a few dollars and help pay for your Kets...

[bystander]

That looks very innovative. Good work.

I haven't removed my fenders yet, so I may not be talking about something practical here, but have you considered using pop-rivets to attach the extensions to the fenders instead of screw fasteners? That might give a better hold without the depth of a threaded screw interfering with the clearance somewhere.

It looks like your approach will give better vertical clearance, but how about side clearance? If the KETT is too wide, it may still contact the fender at the sidewall. But it looks like it ought to work well if all is needed is vertical clearance.

[macgeek]

On my segway 'the red baron' were I have the wayne sideplates, and the bags (and batteries, etc) the kets actually jammed into the fender, and wont roll free, i had to mount some "L" brackets to push the fender away from the tires, your idea seems MUCH cleaner!!!!

Great Idea!!!

Jonathan

[KSagal]

Very interesting idea. I have several customers who have had no problems, as is. I have had a couple that have had a problem.

I thought that it was a factor of adding a lower cargo structure, which has a subtle but sufficient effect on the fenders...

I have used my Ketts on my 'E' machine, with the factory lower cargo structure, and never had a rub. Even super ketts did not rub unless I was doing hard turns.

I have had just a couple people say that they have problems with their fenders. It is possible that the tires themselves or the fenders are just slightly different, in that they are milimeters off, and that is enough.

Clearly, the Ketts do consume ALL the space that is available, and if it is a mm or two off, that is enough to cause a problem.

I like this idea, and although I believe that 2 CM may be more than needed, it may be perfect!

Again, good idea. Good luck with it. It will open up the possibilities for far more than just ketts...

[Stan671]

Excellent thinking, Johannes!

We certainly are an innovative bunch of people.

[hmintz]

I agree that this is a good idea, but I'm wondering whether the final version should actually be made out of stainless steel. I love stainless as a material, but you probably should make sure that when the stainless steel plate is bolted to the gear box you don't create a "battery" when things get wet (2 dissimliar metals and a conductive liquid medium creates a battery, usually of very lower voltage and current capacity. But that battery will cause corrosion).

Stainless is pretty inert, but it might be better to stick with aluminum (or aluminium if you're British :) ) to prevent corosion.

(And having said that, I'll admit that when I put a peice of piano hinge on the rear of our machines to act as a place to attach a handle, I used stainless piano hinge. On the other hand, it's right there on top, and all I have to do to dry it off is remove the mat, so maybe it's OK).

[Stan671]

Why not plastic since the fender is made of plastic anyway?

[joe]

I thought of stainless steel because of its stiffness, but mixing different metals isn't wise, you're right. I don't think plastic (which plastic...?) is the way to go because the extension should be as thin as possible in order to save horizontal space.

The prototype is only 0,8 mm thin and really weak. Maybe 2 mm of aluminum will be enough.

I don't think I'll use rivets because you can't control the power as with a screw and I fear the plastic could break easily.

--
Johannes