Front Light on Amsterdam
08-01-07, 11:48 AM
#1
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 2
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Front Light on Amsterdam
I just bought an Electra Amsterdam. The rear light has a small switch that turns it on/off, but I'm not sure how the front light works. I'm used to standard battery-powered front lights. There is a dynamo-looking thing on the front wheel. Does it power the light? How do I make it work? Any advice would be appreciated!
08-01-07, 04:23 PM
#2
Senior Member
I just had a look at the Electrabikes dot com website. There are two models of the Amsterdam model, the Sport and the Classic.
The Classic model does have a front generator light, and an LED tailight.
OKAY, you already know that. I'm just providing some background information for the casual readers of this forum.
On generator headlights in general , there is a metal tab that should be pushed in with the thumb. The light must be turned on BEFORE getting on the bike. Don't attempt to turn it on while the bicycle is in motion.
Press the small lever with your thumb. It may help to pull on the generator gently with your other fingers, as this will relieve the tension on the spring.
The mechanism should click, and the spring will hold the generator wheel against the sidewall of the tire.
It takes a spring with about 8 pounds of tension to hold the generator drive wheel to the sidewall. It's known as a friction drive. It has a little extra tension as it still has to work if it's raining, and we don't want it to slip, or the light will go out.
To turn the generator off, pull the generator away from the tire. It should click . It's an old fashioned electro-mechanical device, invented and patented in the old days when light switches and radio knobs clicked.
The Classic model does have a front generator light, and an LED tailight.
OKAY, you already know that. I'm just providing some background information for the casual readers of this forum.
On generator headlights in general , there is a metal tab that should be pushed in with the thumb. The light must be turned on BEFORE getting on the bike. Don't attempt to turn it on while the bicycle is in motion.
Press the small lever with your thumb. It may help to pull on the generator gently with your other fingers, as this will relieve the tension on the spring.
The mechanism should click, and the spring will hold the generator wheel against the sidewall of the tire.
It takes a spring with about 8 pounds of tension to hold the generator drive wheel to the sidewall. It's known as a friction drive. It has a little extra tension as it still has to work if it's raining, and we don't want it to slip, or the light will go out.
To turn the generator off, pull the generator away from the tire. It should click . It's an old fashioned electro-mechanical device, invented and patented in the old days when light switches and radio knobs clicked.
08-02-07, 01:41 PM
#3
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 2
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
hotbike,
You're awesome! Thanks for the detailed answer! I followed your instructions and the light came on as I pedaled. So, does it get brighter the faster I go? That sounds like a good excuse to speed.
Thanks again!
Biking Girl
You're awesome! Thanks for the detailed answer! I followed your instructions and the light came on as I pedaled. So, does it get brighter the faster I go? That sounds like a good excuse to speed.
Thanks again!
Biking Girl
I just had a look at the Electrabikes dot com website. There are two models of the Amsterdam model, the Sport and the Classic.
The Classic model does have a front generator light, and an LED tailight.
OKAY, you already know that. I'm just providing some background information for the casual readers of this forum.
On generator headlights in general , there is a metal tab that should be pushed in with the thumb. The light must be turned on BEFORE getting on the bike. Don't attempt to turn it on while the bicycle is in motion.
Press the small lever with your thumb. It may help to pull on the generator gently with your other fingers, as this will relieve the tension on the spring.
The mechanism should click, and the spring will hold the generator wheel against the sidewall of the tire.
It takes a spring with about 8 pounds of tension to hold the generator drive wheel to the sidewall. It's known as a friction drive. It has a little extra tension as it still has to work if it's raining, and we don't want it to slip, or the light will go out.
To turn the generator off, pull the generator away from the tire. It should click . It's an old fashioned electro-mechanical device, invented and patented in the old days when light switches and radio knobs clicked.
The Classic model does have a front generator light, and an LED tailight.
OKAY, you already know that. I'm just providing some background information for the casual readers of this forum.
On generator headlights in general , there is a metal tab that should be pushed in with the thumb. The light must be turned on BEFORE getting on the bike. Don't attempt to turn it on while the bicycle is in motion.
Press the small lever with your thumb. It may help to pull on the generator gently with your other fingers, as this will relieve the tension on the spring.
The mechanism should click, and the spring will hold the generator wheel against the sidewall of the tire.
It takes a spring with about 8 pounds of tension to hold the generator drive wheel to the sidewall. It's known as a friction drive. It has a little extra tension as it still has to work if it's raining, and we don't want it to slip, or the light will go out.
To turn the generator off, pull the generator away from the tire. It should click . It's an old fashioned electro-mechanical device, invented and patented in the old days when light switches and radio knobs clicked.
08-03-07, 11:47 AM
#4
Senior Member
Yes, it will get brighter the faster you go. But I should warn you that at a certain speed, the bulb could blow out, leaving you in the dark.
