The $2.98 kick stand

[itbeme]

I have been following this whole thread on kick stands. I must say that Segway missed the boat introducing the i2 with out accessories and I miss having a kick stand. I am a long time BMW motorcycle rider and not having a simple to use, functional, and safe kick stand is not heard of. Even the feeble attempt the factory makes is better than none. But I digress, having an i2 for about a year and a Gen 1 for 2 years, I would always take my Gen1 to flea markets due the fact it had a kick stand. Now the Gen 1 is gone, replaced with a new i2 and my first flea market experience was terrible having to lay down the machine.
I had given this a lot of thought with a kick stand attached to the front and unless it was easily foot operated, up and down, from the rear of the machine, it would be unacceptable.
I then thought outside the box and decided to try attaching it to the rear of the i2, they rotate as easily backwards as forward. I have been able to balance the machine while tilted backwards, but any slight motion would send it moving.
The kick stand I envisioned needed to small, easy to deploy, not stick out, and follow the contours of the machine. Enter the $2.98 butt/strap hinge. Light weight, small, easily modified, cheap and strong enough to hold an i2.
I found 2 screw under the charging port, using them as a mount I fashioned the hinge to meet my criteria. When you get off of the machine, you hook your toe on the end of the hinge, tilt the i2 back till it stops and viola, stationary, some what upright i2. When you get ready to ride, bring the machine to level and poke the kick stand forward till it stops and a strong magnet holds it in place.
You can see my kickstand in the photo gallery. It is still unpainted. The magnet needs to be super glued to the battery pack.
Is this a crude, home made example, yes. Could it be better engineered, designed and manufactured, yes. Just having something is better than nothing. Till greater minds than me finally come up with a better idea, I'll just be getting by on my $2.98 kick stand.

[BillK]

You can see my kickstand in the photo gallery.

OK - I am inerested in seeing this wonder - where is this "gallery" located?
Bill

[hellphish]

OK - I am inerested in seeing this wonder - where is this "gallery" located?
Bill

http://forums.segwaychat.com/gallery/

Itbeme, this is absolutely incredible. I think homemade kickstands just took an evolutionary leap.

[bystander]

OK - I am interested in seeing this wonder - where is this "gallery" located?
BillClick the word "Photos" in the upper right of the page you are currently reading.

Since the photos were recently uploaded, they will be listed in the recently uploaded section. If you are reading this days or weeks from now, you will have to navigate to itbeme's section (http://forums.segwaychat.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=115) to see the photos.

hellphish, are you giving fish or teaching to fish? -lol

itbeme, thumbs up on your implementation. I'm still on a gen1 but will keep your idea in mind if I ever go to an i2.

The thing that I like about the design is that one can ease slowly down a medium to tall curb and not worry about catching the kickstand on the way down, since it is retained against the rear battery by the magnet.

I go up/down a staircase daily, so the traditional style kickstand mounted on the chassis below the front medallion is not an option for me, as it would stick out and catch each step.

I might drill a hole in the side of a crutch tip and tie-wrap it to one of the hinge tip screw holes to prevent dents in the hardwood floor.

[hellphish]

It does seem like I'm giving more fish than lessons these days, you're right. Here's some more sushi, click for large scales :)

http://forums.segwaychat.com/gallery/albums/userpics/13545/normal_DSC04703.JPG (http://forums.segwaychat.com/gallery/albums/userpics/13545/DSC04703.JPG) http://forums.segwaychat.com/gallery/albums/userpics/13545/normal_DSC04700.JPG (http://forums.segwaychat.com/gallery/albums/userpics/13545/DSC04700.JPG)
http://forums.segwaychat.com/gallery/albums/userpics/13545/normal_DSC04699.JPG (http://forums.segwaychat.com/gallery/albums/userpics/13545/DSC04699.JPG)
http://forums.segwaychat.com/gallery/albums/userpics/13545/normal_DSC04701.JPG (http://forums.segwaychat.com/gallery/albums/userpics/13545/DSC04701.JPG)

[itbeme]

Thanx hellphish for posting pixs to this thread, doing that is way above me.
S

[hellphish]

Anytime man. Going to the gallery is above many on this forum so I'm glad to help.

[itbeme]

I finished up the original kick stand today with paint job and mounted the magnet. I was really pleased with the outcome. I went for a glide and when I got off, flipped the kick stand down and viola, no more flopping it on the ground. Needless to say, I was quite pleased with myself.
I then went to get another hinge at a different store. I found one that was a bit heavier and has a plastic sleeve in the hinge pivot area. When I first went to flex it, it was quite stiff. I can't have that, or can I??? Bought it, went home drilled my holes, made my bend and mounted it to the Segway to determine lean angle. Then I welded my stop, made my distal bend and mounted it for final analysis. Why to my surprise the stiffness allows it to remain tight up against the battery and not move unless I want it to. Now if in the future if I notice movement away from the battery, I can always install a magnet.
I have posted some pixs of the updated kick stands in the photo gallery. Take a look and give me some feedback. Always looking for a new perspective on my idea.
Oh ya, new hinge was $3.67.
S

[GadgetmanKen]

Thats original and creative. Looks like you got room to mount a rubber baby buggy bumper to the hole on the end, so you don't scratch wood or vinyl flooring, too. I'd keep the magnet just in case, you never know? Nice job and inexpensive too.

Oh and they make bigger hinges than that, too.

[itbeme]

I know that you can get bigger hinges, I was trying to keep the profile to a minimum. I have been thinking of adding a rubber plug that you can feed thru the distal hole. I also thought of the plastisol dip for the distal end.
The current configuration does not put that much pressure on the stand. I have adjusted it to just rest pass the balance point. You will need to adjust it to your needs and set up.
Thanx for the positive feedback and suggestions.

[SEGsby]

Segway should just bloody hold a design contest for the best customer created kickstand and be done with it.

I see a LOT of aftermarket solutions for this issue, so why not hold a contest and choose the best one?

Pick a winner based on safety, easy of use and aesthetics, then designate that design as the "official" kickstand for gen2. Mass produce it (winner gets some "Segway Bux" and public regcognition for their efforts).

Boom. Problem solved, and it gets the current customer base excited and motivated to help.

It would have saved LLC a ton of money redesigning the failed one they had...

SEGsby

[asifjahmed]

Great idea...

And i'd love to have some "Segway Bux"

Best Regards

Segway should just bloody hold a design contest for the best customer created kickstand and be done with it.

I see a LOT of aftermarket solutions for this issue, so why not hold a contest and choose the best one?

Pick a winner based on safety, easy of use and aesthetics, then designate that design as the "official" kickstand for gen2. Mass produce it (winner gets some "Segway Bux" and public regcognition for their efforts).

Boom. Problem solved, and it gets the current customer base excited and motivated to help.

It would have saved LLC a ton of money redesigning the failed one they had...

SEGsby

[itbeme]

I put the new kick stand to good use today and I must admit it works excellent. The kick stand is easily deployed, keeps the Segway upright and when you are ready to go, a quick nudge and you're gone. I can stop, get off, hit the button, deploy the stand and park it in like 2 seconds. I mean it is right there. This is the way it should be. No looking for places to lean against, or to lay it down. Gliding this technological marvel is awesome and parking it shouldn't be a hassle.
I went over some curbs with out any problems, no hints of it hitting.
It gave me great pleasure to stop, park it, hit the alarm and walk into the cafe, come back out side and enjoy my wonderful coffee and stare at an upright i2 on its kick stand.
So if any one wants some help with making their own, drop me a line.
Life is good.

[SEGsby]

I completely agree. Parking shouldn't be a hassle.

Do you have images of your work posted someplace?

Thanks,
SEGsby

I put the new kick stand to good use today and I must admit it works excellent. The kick stand is easily deployed, keeps the Segway upright and when you are ready to go, a quick nudge and you're gone. I can stop, get off, hit the button, deploy the stand and park it in like 2 seconds. I mean it is right there. This is the way it should be. No looking for places to lean against, or to lay it down. Gliding this technological marvel is awesome and parking it shouldn't be a hassle.
I went over some curbs with out any problems, no hints of it hitting.
It gave me great pleasure to stop, park it, hit the alarm and walk into the cafe, come back out side and enjoy my wonderful coffee and stare at an upright i2 on its kick stand.
So if any one wants some help with making their own, drop me a line.
Life is good.

[bystander]

I completely agree. Parking shouldn't be a hassle.

Do you have images of your work posted someplace?

Thanks,
SEGsbyUmmm... see post 5 of this thread.

More here:

http://forums.segwaychat.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=115

[SEGsby]

Does the final version look the same?

SEGsby


Ummm... see post 5 of this thread.

More here:

http://forums.segwaychat.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=115

[itbeme]

Yeah, that is it, warts and all. Like I said in the beginning, it is for function. I know it could be engineered better, look prettier and cost a whole lot more, but ya can't see it when ya glidin'.
I thought maybe on future ones I'd fill in the holes, shape it up a little bit and add a rubber bumper knob on the end.
Right now I'm just diggin' the fact that I have a functional, inexpensive, easy to use kick stand, a glider's trifecta.
Comments???

[SEGsby]

Thanks for clarifying. :)

I envy the resourcefullness and minimalisim of your design. Glad it's working well for you. :)

SEGsby

[bvelke]

After several visits to hardware stores and some research online, I haven't been able to find a hinge with the proper spacing for the screw holes. Does anyone know where to buy this hinge?

(I realize that I could drill my own holes)

-Bob

[luckie]

You know, placing the kickstand on the backside has a number of advantages as mentioned by other folks but I'd like to point out what I think is another big feature here.

Previously Segway kickstands have always held the PT in perfectly level fashion that appeared to be a little too successful at inviting the curious passerby to consider stepping on the platform to finally get a chance to try one out.

When "parked" with this kickstand, the Segway does not suggest the the naive passerby "Hey, come stand on me." In fact the tilt backward actually seems to communicate the opposite more appropriate message like: "I'm turned off and parked dude, don't hop on me."

Nice.

Doug

http://forums.segwaychat.com/gallery/albums/userpics/13545/normal_DSC04701.JPG

[itbeme]

After several visits to hardware stores and some research online, I haven't been able to find a hinge with the proper spacing for the screw holes. Does anyone know where to buy this hinge?

(I realize that I could drill my own holes)

-Bob

Bob,
You will need to drill the holes to correspond to the Segway. You can use a simple hand drill. I bought my hinges at Lowes.
Hope that helps
S