Folding Bikes - New Birdy is smaller than a Brompton

Bikeforums.net is a forum about nothing but bikes. Our community can help you find information about hard-to-find and localized information like bicycle tours, specialties like where in your area to have your recumbent bike serviced, or what are the best bicycle tires and seats for the activities you use your bike for.



PDA
pm124
10-05-08, 03:13 PM
http://www.mizutanibike.co.jp/img/fig_seisaku.jpg

Here is the full article, complete with a folding demonstration:

http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mizutanibike.co.jp%2Fbrand%2Fbdscale.html&sl=ja&tl=en&hl=en&ie=UTF-8

LittlePixel
10-06-08, 02:51 AM
Hehe - that is just briliant. And so detailed!
If only we could get models of all the brands our wallets wouldn't be so empty nor our garages/sheds so full...
noob_island
10-06-08, 08:17 PM
Thats cool but I would rather have the full sized one to ride!!!

jur
10-06-08, 08:29 PM
The attention to detail is amazing. Those Asian chaps are fanatic! :thumb:
rhm
10-07-08, 07:10 AM
Ah, art for art's sake. Gotta love it.
macross1984
10-09-08, 01:30 AM
Here is the revised translation I did from original Japanese text. The google translation quality was not that good in my opinion.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A Japanese in Hong Kong wondered if it was possible to create scale model of BD-1 with its folding feature. He does own BD-1 and he was greatly fascinated with the way it folded. A Japanese, he has as client world's car and toy manufacturers who value his talent in creating precise and faithful scale model. He is known as meister in his field. (Due to contract with various companies we cannot divulge the name of person.)

The hardest time he had in creating the scale model of BD-1 was not the folding mechanism (expected) but the wheel set (unexpected). It was very difficult to make scale wheel to rotate like real bike because the spoke was made from thin wire. It would have been easier if the wheel could be made static. The thin wire bent easily and the wheel cannot maintain vertical position. He used etching parts instead of wire to recreate spoke and also the rim to add the necessary structural integrity and appearance. This is just but one example but here and there an unbelievable technology has been incorporated.

We were shocked at seeing the completed sample. The model is duplicated to an unbelievable details. The folding process no different from the real. Same goes for the metal texture and feel. The persistence and ability of Japanese has brought about creation of desktop hobby version of famous German vehicle. Truly the birth of model worthy of adult modeler to have in possession and enjoy.

His next years plan for model has already started. Please look forward to it.