Disassembling the bike, while not particularly difficult, was a lengthy process. At times, when he was lacking the correct tool, Ryan had to resort to the use of excessive force to separate one part from another. He set aside panels, struts and a variety of parts to be used or melted down later. As he progressed with the demolition of the bike into its constituent parts he discovered that there were far more bearings than he had initially assumed. The majority however were not suitable for their project. As he inspected and messed with angular roller ball bearings, ball bearings and sleeve bearings he figured out that they were designed to handle forces other than what they needed. The bearings on the crank- and cam-shaft they had planned to use were unsuitable as well.
Ryan was close to despair before he finally hit the jackpot. Once he started dissembling the gearbox he discovered, after using Identify on the bearings, that the gear-shafts were supported by fairly narrow needle roller bearings with a diameter and width that could be used for their cam assembly. The cams would be a bit chunkier than planned but the needle roller bearing would be the ideal type to use as it would negate the issue of perpendicular force on the cam because they were designed to handle greater radial loads, exactly the type of load that they needed to support.
Crowing in triumph Ryan carried the gears with their bearings still attached to Mike and Stephen. Mike was busy filing down the riser to the dimensions of the template they were using and only nodded in recognition. Stephen turned around when Ryan entered the workshop. “You’re finally done?”
“Yeah.” Ryan answered. “Crankshaft bearings were unsuitable but I figure that these roller bearings are exactly what we need. What are you busy with?”
“I’ve started stress-testing materials for the limbs. Wanna provide some input?” Stephen pointed to the contraption that he had set up on the workbench.
Ryan inspected Stephen’s set up. Alternatively bolted or forged to the vise was a frame that held together a block and tackle system. A massive steel wire was attached to a steel spring fixed in the vise and then ran through the blocks before it terminated in a newton-meter with a handle. “You’re testing how much force you have to exert to bend the limb?” he asked Stephen.
“Exactly, my school physics is a bit rusty but I think I figured out the calculations. Gimme a second to fix the clamp to the vise before you pull on the handle so I can see your draw-strength?” Stephen asked as he removed his clamp from the spring it was attached to before he threaded the steel wire out of the pulleys.
Once Stephen had reaffixed the clamp to the vise Ryan started pulling on the handle. His posture wasn’t ideal but still the meter quickly approached its limits and Stephen had to stop him. “Should have thought about that, the meter is only rated for 100 Newton-metres. Stephen rethreaded the wire through the pulley system and after he re-affixed it asked Ryan to pull the handle. “About 52 Newton-metres, that’s 416 Newton-metres pulling force you got there.”
Ryan knew that the measurement Stephen used was the metric equivalent to the pound-per-inch archers used for draw weight but had no idea what the conversion factor was, so he asked Stephen. “What’s that in pounds per inch?”
‘Gimme a second,” Stephen replied as he started scribbling on a piece per paper. “Divided by approximately 1.36 that equates to about 305 pound draw weight.” the runesmith muttered.
“That’s a lot.” Ryan considered the number. “Makes sense, my strength is about 3 times what it was pre-system. I can’t do that comfortably or repeatedly but I think we should aim for about 300 pounds draw weight. I’ll get stronger quickly, assign points if needed.”
Stephen was still furiously scribbling on his sheet of paper, muttering. “Circumference of outer cams is about 3 times that of inner, so gear ratio is 3 to 1. Multiply that by 2 so it’s about 6, so about 2400 Newton on the limb at full draw.” Stephen paused and rubbed his brow absently. “Damn, I need to modify the block and tackle.”
Ryan had mostly followed along while Stephen was muttering and decided to interrupt the runesmith’s musings. “So, what does that mean in practical terms?”
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Stephen looked up bemusedly. “I forgot you were still here. It means we have a problem.”
“Explain!” Ryan tersely expressed his unhappiness.
“So, your composite limbs can handle about 1500 Newtons before they start fracturing. I accidentally destroyed one by the way.” Stephen said sheepishly. “Spring steel can handle quite a bit more but it fatigues over time. You should have noticed that with your current setup.”
“I didn’t. But I know springs get worn out eventually.” Ryan nodded in understanding.
“So, we can use steel for the moment but you’ll need to replace the limbs every couple hundred to thousand shots. Eventually, as you get stronger, the limbs will need to be thicker and thicker until they become too thick to be practical.” Stephen explained the problem before he offered a potential solution. “I tested the quills and an individual quill can handle about 180 Newtons before it deforms or breaks. That’s actually insanely strong for its weight and volume.” he added. “I assume it’s due to their design. Also, from what we understand about their construction they’re also unlikely to show signs of fatigue, at least less likely than steel. The problem comes with trying to forge them into the correct shape for the limb. We can’t heat them too much and that presents an issue.”
“So you’re telling me if we can figure out a way to combine about 15 quills into a limb we can make a usable bow?” Ryan confimed.
“Exactly. Or at least in theory. I obviously suggest we stress test them first.” Stephen finalised the problem.
The two started brain-storming a variety of ideas and were soon joined by Mike who had finished the riser. They weren’t making any appreciable progress and Ryan started getting distracted by Mike who was repeatedly repositioning the riser he had deposited on the workbench. The late afternoon sun cast a warm yellow glow through the window and the light was playing over the blocky shape. Frustrated with the conversation Ryan took a closer look. Mike had went with the initial plan to make it solid and forged it into a beautifully ergonomic shape exactly matching the dimensions of the template. Long sinuous waves of lighter and darker shapes wound across the piece when it was highlighted in the setting sun. Mesmerised, Ryan stared at the riser and missed that the conversation had ground to a halt.
“You made it out of Damascus steel.” he accused Mike once he had figured it out.
“Jup.” Mikes tone and the accompanying grin showed were self-satisfied. “Took you long enough to notice. I decided to make the second one beautiful.” He added as he took another riser from below his stool. “This one is the template and the one made from the twisted damascus is for your new bow.”
“Why?” Ryan asked in admiration.
“Because I could and because I thought that we could show a little bit of appreciation.” Mike answered sheepishly. “Paulus will make the parts for the grip from some of the snake scale. Should look fantastic.” Stephen added.
Mike was clearly discomfited by the emotional moment and returned to his usual gruff self with his next statement. “In any case,” he harrumphed, “looks like we’re stalled on the issue of the limbs and its nearly time for dinner. I suggest we’ll talk to some of the other crafters and get some ideas. Maybe we should hold another brainstorming session tomorrow morning once we’ve heard their suggestions and we’ve had a night of sleep on it?”
Ryan wasn’t entirely happy with the idea but accepted that they weren’t making any progress so indicated his assent because the suggestion made sense.
“I’ll just check up on Fury and meet you guys for dinner.” he said as the trio started vacating the cluttered workshop. “Before I forget, I’ve got lessons with Leah in the morning so let’s schedule for the same time tomorrow?”
Mike and Stephen confirmed and split off to head to dinner while Ryan made his way in the direction of the little rivulet. With an effort he called up Predator’s Veil to disguise his approach from his bond once he felt that she was having immense fun. As he stalked closer he took greater care to keep his approach undetected, ghosting through the bush as an ethereal presence, barely making any sounds. The grunting chuffs of a lion in a playful mood were intermittently interrupted by loud splashes as he crept closer. Fury was perched on a large rock in the river and bashing at the water, sending huge splashes into the surrounding bush. Her nose and brow were scrunched in deepest concentration as she tried to bat one of the large carps that were swimming around her rock out of the water.
Ryan secretly observed the scene with a paternal smile as, with another chuff, Fury once more tried to hit a home-run. The fish continued evading the ferocious feline and, with teasing flicks of their tails, repeatedly dove away from her paws of fury, making it into a game of tag that seemed to endlessly entertain his bond. With another smile Ryan silently retreated from the scene. Fury should have her fun, because, soon enough, the growing lioness would once again accompany him. Any expression of her playful nature was a treasure he wasn’t willing to interrupt. Not if circumstances didn’t require a more serious outlook.