Material for forks?

> 10 years ago
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trbnt
trbnt
33 posts
33 posts
14 Mar 2016 2:31am
Hello all

I am starting to put a build together and trying to work out some material choices.
I am building a mini and have a question about the front forks.

I am looking to build forks designed like these from a Silence




So the question- what type of material is needed for strength here?
These look to be alloy but is that enough to carry the side loads when on two wheels?
Is that tube or solid??


Thanks all
Gizmo
Gizmo
SA
2865 posts
SA, 2865 posts
14 Mar 2016 8:06am
From the size of the material and the look of the welds it would probably be steel rod.
Just an engineering thought 'Keep It Simple' unless you are a very good welder every join is a weak point and a possible place or failure.
trbnt
trbnt
33 posts
33 posts
14 Mar 2016 6:35am
Thanks for that.
I am a fair welder but have a buddy to do anything like this which has to be good to go.

I am trying to get my head around the loads on this gear.
It seems the simple up load when on the level is easy to meet with this design.
The odd twisting as the wheel loads on side is what is escaping me just now.
This is a different load case than seen in bikes/motorbikes as the load in that case is still in same plane when the bike is lain down?
Gizmo
Gizmo
SA
2865 posts
SA, 2865 posts
14 Mar 2016 11:16am
The steering geometry of land yachts often confuse people, but think of a bicycle or motor cycle and the angle of the forks and position of the front wheel as they turn a corner at SPEED and in MOTION.
The wheel actually lays over and thats what is trying to be achieved in the forks design.
Rather than re-inventing the steering and all the angles why not just use the plans for the Lake Lefroy Mini design?
They work!!!

www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Land-Yacht-Sailing/Construction/Build-a-Landyacht-Lake-Lefroy-Mini-Yacht/
BenBoulder
BenBoulder
WA
261 posts
WA, 261 posts
14 Mar 2016 10:06pm
I agree with Gizmo, keep it simple make a LLM fork.

Seagull fork looks good. Possibly made from M12 and M8 Rod. That alloy wheel looks good but $$$$

You have a picture so you can make it. Geometry will be the same as LLM. Suggest you use a jig to keep it square and true. Looks fiddly lots of welds.

Have a go. if it breaks, make it stronger.


landyacht
landyacht
WA
5921 posts
WA, 5921 posts
17 Mar 2016 6:07pm
lovely set up fom seagull.probably 12mm steel rod,very light and strong. would be simple to replicate.but that would be cheating
DanielMyga
DanielMyga
2 posts
2 posts
1 Aug 2016 9:53pm
I think the steel rod will be good.
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