The Bessler Wheel, mystery solved.

[memoryman]

Quantity of posts?

[Pirate88179]

I have a question:

I see that some people are full members, Sr. Members, Elite members ect... How to you obtain that kind of status?

All of them are based upon amount of postings except Elite Member.  To obtain that one, it has to be awarded to you by our gracious host.

Bill

[perpetualman]

I see, well, I'll be getting my video together of my over balanced device that I mentioned earlier.

Stay tuned!


(Perpetualman)

[gravitationallychallenged]

PM- I'll be looking forward to viewing your video.

[Tomasz]

First of all it is my first(edit: second) post, so all the best to all involved here in the forum! 
@gurangax
I like your riddle and here is my contribution. It is not perfect, but I think it heads in the right direction.
You have mentioned the peacock from both sides, 3D aspect, the toy, lever...
I think the counterweight should move on the "crossbar" so its impact when falling could be used as well.
I haven't fund a way to get this "excess weight", which is the key as you have written.
I am sure it is not exactly how your wheel is constructed, but as you have mentioned there can be many possibilities.