05-06-2009, 11:58 AM
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#1 (permalink)
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EcoModding Lurker
Join Date: May 2009
Location: MI
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HyperRocket: hot looking 125mpg reverse trike on Ebay
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 Today
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Other popular topics in this forum...
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05-06-2009, 12:14 PM
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#2 (permalink)
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Batman Junior
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: 1000 Islands, Ontario, Canada
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Neat machine, HyperRocket.
I take it you built it? Care to share your story with us?
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05-06-2009, 01:15 PM
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#3 (permalink)
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EcoModding Lurker
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Rocket background
My name is John & I am Ford Motor Companies Fuel Economy Technical Expert. After working for over 20 years improving conventional production car/truck FE I wanted to try something with fewer constraints.
As you can see in the ebay photos it is a tandem seated reverse trike. This design offers the lowest frontal area and Cd.
The vehicle and powertrain have been optimized with computer based simulation. GPS based coast down tests were used to confirm the Cd.
The best FE of 125mpg was achieved using narrow motorcycle wheels and a small rear sprocket. I have had it up to 106mph and it was still accelerating.
It is offered for sale because I am nearly finished building another one like it except it is a plug in hybrid. The garage is full something has to go.
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05-06-2009, 01:18 PM
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#4 (permalink)
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Dartmouth 2010
Join Date: Nov 2007
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Wow, we'd love just to hear more about the design and building of these cars! Of course I can't afford it, but your expertise would be much appreciated if you ever feel like sharing the story of this or your current build,  |
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05-06-2009, 02:20 PM
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#5 (permalink)
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Batman Junior
Join Date: Nov 2007
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Thanks for the extra info, John. Is it a fuel injected engine? (I suspect it's out of the Kawasaki Ninja 250, so maybe not.)
I hope you'll keep us updated with your latest project as well.
Mind if I copy some of your e-bay pictures into this thread? Do you have a web site?
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05-06-2009, 03:51 PM
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#6 (permalink)
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Master EcoModder
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: London, Ontario
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Very cool - I imagine getting pulled over by the police constantly thinking it is a race car.
Careful telling everyone you're Ford's FE guy... you may get lynched.
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05-06-2009, 04:01 PM
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#7 (permalink)
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(:
Join Date: Jan 2008
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John, I hope you stick around!  |
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05-06-2009, 07:21 PM
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#8 (permalink)
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EcoModding Lurker
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Rocket
Thanks everyone for your kind inquires.
Yes the engine is a Ninja 250. Using an exhaust gas oxygen sensor & a laptop data acquisition system I was able to re-jet the carbs for max efficiency and driveability. Funny you should ask about the cops.
I was pulled over for speeding last week & after I told the officer it gets over 100mpg he "called for back up". Four squad cars showed up, several houses of neighbors came out and the whole thing turned into a spectacle. No ticket, everyone was genuinely interested in ecomodding!
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The Following User Says Thank You to HyperRocket For This Useful Post:
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05-06-2009, 09:07 PM
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#9 (permalink)
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Coasting Down the Peak
Join Date: Jun 2008
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That is an amazing ride!
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05-07-2009, 09:49 AM
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#10 (permalink)
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Master EcoModder
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: London, Ontario
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I see no license plate - does putting that on make a noticible difference in cD?
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