The Contraption 2.0

Dusza Beben · Post by **Dusza Beben** » Tue Aug 19, 2008 10:14 am

I'm hittin' the road, see all you peeps on the playa!

DB

Elliot · Post by **Elliot** » Tue Aug 19, 2008 10:30 am

I remember that platform!

Uh, oh.
Since I built it... Will I need a lawyer now?

Yes, the Norwegians are back. And yes, a race is in order!

fciron · Post by **fciron** » Thu Aug 21, 2008 8:46 pm

LeChat should have started driving yesterday. I am flying out tomorrow. I can't wait to see the Contraption in the dust. I have only seen it in the barn.

Captain Goddammit · Post by **Captain Goddammit** » Thu Aug 21, 2008 10:29 pm

Yes, well wishes for LeChat on his journey!
I'm scheduled to depart Friday evening, first stop, Portland. I have so much to do I don't see how I'll make the schedule, but I'll try!
May your truck run well, Mr. Black Cat!

MozyBonz · Post by **MozyBonz** » Thu Aug 21, 2008 11:35 pm

he passed though Nebraska this after noon.

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Fri Aug 22, 2008 3:52 am

Turbine Power, another option?

"....best bike ever for shutting up the Harley guys." Jay Leno

Gravity Mike · Post by **Gravity Mike** » Fri Aug 22, 2008 6:40 pm

Elliot wrote::D

Yes, the Norwegians are back. And yes, a race is in order! :twisted:

I'm sure we'll meet up for a race - and I know you'll win with 3 pilots and bicycle tires, and a likely lighter machine.... Unless the sand is really deep!

I leave tomorrow morning. See ya'll there.

Gravity mike

LeChatNoir · Post by **LeChatNoir** » Sat Aug 23, 2008 1:08 am

Sitting in Elko and worn out after two long days of driving.

Hit the playa tomorrow.

Safe travels to everybody!!

See yaâ€™ll soon!!!!

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Sat Aug 23, 2008 1:11 am

Have a good time, you guys!

BitterDan · Post by **BitterDan** » Tue Sep 02, 2008 9:33 pm

I just have to say that the Contraption is one of the coolest things I have ever seen. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to help you start it.

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Wed Sep 03, 2008 8:45 pm

Thanks for my ride, and it was so much fun watching the CO get push power.

Tell Karine's starting story, or maybe not. So glad you two aren't fame whores.

karine · Post by **karine** » Wed Sep 03, 2008 11:42 pm

Yeah - that's as far as it needs to GO !

"This one time.. at Burning Man..."

OMG. What a good trip.

We had soo much fun with the Contraption this year.

But how 'bout that story when it DIDN't start!

Captain Goddammit · Post by **Captain Goddammit** » Wed Sep 03, 2008 11:53 pm

The screwy thing is that I've NEVER actually seen the Conniption move!!!
Karine, all the girls at my camp say they loved having you hang with them.

Zorch · Post by **Zorch** » Thu Sep 04, 2008 8:21 am

I was so glad I got to see the contraption moving under its own power! Seeing it certainly was one of the high points of my trip. And it was really cool to Mr LeChat - if only briefly :) Big thanks to you sir for making sure that FC's equipment made it to the Bomb Bay Tea Co. safely - the camp would not have been what it was without it.

fciron · Post by **fciron** » Thu Sep 04, 2008 9:02 am

Zorch is right. Having my stuff delivered on the Contraption made feel like the specialest boy on the playa. I will be very proud to help push it back into the barn tomorrow.

I didn't even mind pushing it back to your place from 7:00 and Esplanade at God-Only-Knows O'clock in the morning.

Elliot · Post by **Elliot** » Thu Sep 04, 2008 2:14 pm

I didn't even mind pushing it back to your place from 7:00 and Esplanade at God-Only-Knows O'clock in the morning.

Damn... I was at 7:30 and B. Why did I have to miss out?!

**burn** · Post by **burn** » Fri Sep 05, 2008 5:36 am

I sadly admit that I never rode the Contraption.

Could it be that we never had a designated driver?

heh heh

**painful**

unjonharley · Post by **unjonharley** » Fri Sep 05, 2008 7:42 am

**burn** wrote:I sadly admit that I never rode the Contraption.

Could it be that we never had a designated driver?

heh heh

**painful**

I hear they tryed, But could never get Karine drunk enough to be a designated driver..

Post by **AntiM** » Fri Sep 05, 2008 9:08 am

I was thrilled when the Contraption was parked in Hushville! Everyone was less thrilled when it wouldn't start, but hey, what an opportunity for interaction!

Thanks for stopping by and delivering the bestest Fishy with art ever and ever!

LeChatNoir · Post by **LeChatNoir** » Fri Sep 05, 2008 4:32 pm

Thanks, all!!!

So many people were part of it this year. And I really owe more thanks and pats-on-the-backs that I could ever list here. This was probably the hardest and yet most fulfilling year to date and it is because of the work of many folks that it was such a thing.

Earlier in the week, there were some issues that were brought to the surface by the playa dust getting into the carb. This was the main problem (but not the only one) when it wouldnâ€™t start over at AntiMâ€™s. But a little playa magic yielded a can of carburetor cleaner. Then Tubahurl stopped by at the perfect time and we gave the old girl a proper tune up. Some timing and valve adjustments and, save a few minor hiccups, she was running great from there on out.

After seeing her run on the playa and seeing how well the gas engine fits, Iâ€™m going to leave her as she is and use the steam for another project on down the road. That single cylinder engine makes a great *PLAP PLAP PLAP* noise that really stands out, even through loud music. And the flame effect worked better than any horn for getting attention. It was also interesting how many people thought it was steam anyway, or even thought it was an antique vehicle that I'd gotten running again.

I love it.

I plan to make some mods for â€˜09, but nothing major. A rebuild on the engine, including new rings for the piston and bearings for the crankshaft. Some additional concealed lighting and some sort of air cleaner, a larger gas tank and a means of adding water to the cooling tank while on the flyâ€¦ stuff like that.

So while I noodle over some ideas, here's some pics that Karine took:

LeChatNoir · Post by **LeChatNoir** » Fri Sep 05, 2008 4:39 pm

**burn** wrote:I sadly admit that I never rode the Contraption.

Could it be that we never had a designated driver?

heh heh

**painful**

Painfull is right.

I hear they tryed, But could never get Karine drunk enough to be a designated driver..

Unjon, you should have been there the night Risky... er... I mean **burn**, stopped by. We were all moving slowly the next morning. So, when she comes around with whiskey and cigars... just run.

**burn** · Post by **burn** » Fri Sep 05, 2008 5:46 pm

**meow**

**burn** · Post by **burn** » Fri Sep 05, 2008 5:51 pm

unjon - I'll bring you a diet soda instead.

xoxox

unjonharley · Post by **unjonharley** » Fri Sep 05, 2008 5:54 pm

**burn** wrote:unjon - I'll bring you a diet soda instead.

xoxox

I'll drive that sucker.. If they let me put a patch over my good eye..

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Fri Sep 05, 2008 8:04 pm

Can you make the flame effects accessible to fishes? And there was something I discussed with Karine about seat depth. But it really is amazing, so farking wonnerful that I hate my quibbles.

LeChatNoir · Post by **LeChatNoir** » Fri Sep 05, 2008 8:53 pm

Yepâ€¦ Iâ€™ve pondered on angling the seat slightly to the back or contouring the seat base in order to keep fishes more secured. And the flame effect could be made more accessible as well, I do believe.

And Iâ€™ve got some ideas on a new, additional flame effect as well.

moo-ha-ha

unjonharley · Post by **unjonharley** » Fri Sep 05, 2008 8:59 pm

LeChatNoir wrote:Yepâ€¦ Iâ€™ve pondered on angling the seat slightly to the back or contouring the seat base in order to keep fishes more secured. And the flame effect could be made more accessible as well, I do believe.

And Iâ€™ve got some ideas on a new, additional flame effect as well.

moo-ha-ha

Keep that seat kind of tall..You already know how hard it is to get me up.. And I may gain the weight back.. All this , if I ever get to ride the damn thing..

CLARKcon · Post by **CLARKcon** » Fri Sep 05, 2008 9:13 pm

LeChat- The girl got some great shots of The Contraption 2.0. Just need uploaded/Photoshoped (her fun stuff). Will write back when done to get e-mail if you want them.

P.S.S- Nice job!

karine · Post by **karine** » Sat Sep 06, 2008 3:46 pm

I think the flame should be more accessible, too ! Thanks for the notes on that Fishy - I am sure that will be one of the easier of the modifications.
I also had an idea of a floor tap (for the driver) kind of warning system, too. Maybe someone in the backseat could be doing to actual flame "puffing" !

Tilting that seat, (and/ or a seat belt!) shouldn't take long ...
and adding more lighting would be nice, too - but take a bit longer.
The lighting ideas that I've had are pretty cool, I just mean they might take some more tedious work to actually install... The good thing is, nobody here ever seems to be afraid of a little c o n t r a p t i o n e e r i n g ... ha!

It's all these OTHER ideas that i come home with that's f r i g h t e n i n g !Like, "Honey - You know what I could build??"

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Sat Sep 06, 2008 6:18 pm

*big fishy hugs for Le Chat and Karine, one of her all time favorite burning couples*