Richard J Smith Steam Bicycle How it Works

This is the parts, modifications, and explaination of how my recently acquired steam bike built to a design by Richard Smith works.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• Steam
• Bicycle
• Richard
• Smith

[Cytacon]

Very interesting , but not very efficient or user friendly.

[Stanleyguy101]

@Cytacon It depends on perspective. Comparing this vs. a lawnmower powered bicycle, this bicycle is less of a physical challenge as I just turn a valve light a match and its on. No annoying pulling of starter cords and hoping the engine starts. Its more of a mental challenge. My bicycle also does not have all the automatics which would allow anyone to ride it, if you wanted to go you just open the throttle and the automatics take care of supplying the boiler. That answer user friendly or not

[Stanleyguy101]

@Cytacon Now as far as efficiency goes. Smith was probably trying to design the lightest and most cost efficient system he could. The engine weighs ~6lbs. The boiler only 20 most of the weight comes from the support frame and the fact it is a steel bicycle. If a bigger engine was used which some bicycles did you could have less heat loss and if it had a longer stroke higher thermal efficiency. My bicycle is currently 7% or so, but a larger engine could probably get it up to 10% or so.

[Stanleyguy101]

@Cytacon The bigger engine would provide more power and I know the boiler could handle it. I have an account of this system mounted to a roadbike with a 50cc instead of a 25cc and it was capable of 40mph. I have also considered putting a condenser on it but it would add weight and more so I haven't gotten around to it yet. Along with the actual condenser there will need to be an electric fan, a control system for the electric fan, and batteries which adds complication.

[Stanleyguy101]

A steam automatic is a steam pressure based fuel shutoff. When the pressure gets high enough the fire shuts of preventing the pressure from rising above a preset level. It works with a spring providing resistance to the steam pressure and when the pressure gets high enough the force it can exert displaces the spring enough that a needle plugs the fuel line.

[Stanleyguy101]

That is one of the many things I've been trying to work on the bike is to make a condenser for it.  I have a friend who is willing to give me a heater core to do it with, but I have been slow about it getting the heater core. I did plan to feed the output of the condenser into the bottom of the water tank.

[GuitarOfGold]

Ok, I normally try to find answers to my own questions, but I'm not having much luck. So.... What exactly is a steam automatic?

[Mr3wheeledbike]

omg i had the same tipe of clutch or lifting the engine for my friend weed eater bike no liy this is cooler thought

[macross101292]

run the exhaust into a tight 6" diameter coil to recondence the exhaust steam and feed it to the bottom of your reservoir any extra pressure will go out your air intake and you should decrease the work needed to be done by the boiler and increase your water supply

[vleonica]

@Stanleyguy101 Richard J. Smith was my father. I'm surprised this bicycle has survived all these years. Where ever did you find it?