Tuesday, March 30th

Tuesday, March 31: Research into Testing
What an exciting day! As I mentioned in my earlier post, Eli and I reached out to Dr. Dunkel and Ms. Switzer requesting funds for our electric engine. We explained that the engine we wanted was around $200, and they graciously granted us $250 from Lovett’s Green Initiative fund. Words cannot express how grateful Eli and I are for this donation, as it helps our project to become the best it can possibly be. Once we received confirmation that our request was approved, Eli and I spent a good while before buying the actual engines reading the fine print of the product. We wanted to make sure everything was perfect. One thing we were concerned with was whether or not the engines we were ordering came with mounts that would enable us to attach the motors to the bikes. We came to the conclusion that the kits included all necessary parts, and pushed “Order” on each engine.
With the engines ordered, we had done all we could with them until they arrived. Therefore, we then delved ourselves into the next aspect of our project, testing. During the third week of our project when everything is built, Eli and I plan to conduct a series of tests that measure the efficiency of the bikes, the practicality of the bikes, as well as many other aspects that would cause consumers to switch to motor bikes rather than cars. We went ahead and mapped out our third week planning what exact tests we would do. This of course was after much research into how exactly we would test the bikes. For example, to get the true MPG or MPC (miles per charge) Eli and I plan to fill/charge the tanks a quarter of the way full, and ride the bikes in Piedmont Park until the bikes will no longer move. Using either our GPS phones or a pedometer, Eli and I plan to calculate how far the bikes will move on a full tank or charge. This is just one of the many tests we plan to perform in the weeks to come.

As we entered our second day of the senior project, I still find myself extremely interested in the subject of motorbike mechanics. As I said yesterday, all this research is exhausting, but I am keeping my eye on the prize. Personally, I think the most fun week will either be the actual building of the bikes, or the week of testing. Regardless, I am looking forward to both, and cannot wait for tomorrow.