Not Yet Named Reverse Trike

[HydroJim]

That settles it, the trike will now be known as "The AeroTrike"

thank you brucepick

anybody want to help me change the thread name to Project: The AeroTrike

[Sven7]

Google might cause confusion...
AeroTrike is a model of ultralight aircraft.

Also, whatever this thing is.
http://aerotrike.net/

I call mine "Stromvogn", which is loosely based on a translation of "streamlined car".

"Trikar" doesn't have very cohesive Google results... if you dig.

[renault_megane_dci]

Originally Posted by HydroJim

Specs:
Donor: Kawasaki Ninja 250R(really any 250cc will do)
Engine Size: 250cc

Since you will want it liquid cooled for reliability / packaging issues, preferably not a single cylinder and cheap (why spend more ?) then the Kawi is pretty much the only candidate.

Althought I would go for a 500 because they are more plentyful hence cheaper and I would atkinson it.

Now that I think about it, getting the engine out of a quad might give you a reverse speed which is good.
You can dot it otherwise but why bother ?

[brucepick]

Originally Posted by HydroJim

That settles it, the trike will now be known as "The AeroTrike"

thank you brucepick

anybody want to help me change the thread name to Project: The AeroTrike

Glad (and proud) to help.

Legally speaking, I think there would only be a conflict with the similarly named ultralight aircraft if yours was a similar item. You can have Ace hardware stores, Ace sports equipment and many Ace Plumbing Service businesses (in different cities) because they aren't competing against each other.

Good luck with it! I'm envious of your skill set.

Are you still only 16 or do you need to update your sig?

[brucepick]

Originally Posted by HydroJim

That settles it, the trike will now be known as "The AeroTrike"

thank you brucepick

anybody want to help me change the thread name to Project: The AeroTrike

I think you can change your thread's name.

Navigate to your first post.
Click on "Edit" in bottom right corner.
Click on "Advanced" below the text typing area.
Click in the thread name box and have at it.

Of course I'm honored you like my suggestion.

[HydroJim]

Spent some more time getting a feel for a front end. The real front end won't be so pointy, but I go the generally curvature that I wanted. Should be more aerodynamic and less air jammed between the vehicle body and wheel pods.

Next up, figuring out a fiberglass technique. I'm thinking foam insulation as has been featured on the site quite often, I'm just not sure how to attach the panels so that I can secure them with a few bolts and remove them for maintenance. seems hard to do with fiberglass.

[HydroJim]

Working on my model and my suspension design today:

My plan is to use ATV spindles. They're the lightest set-up that fits in my budget. In order to get a front facing steering arm, I turned the spindles upside down. This throws a few things off in the design, but I've done my research and compensated accordingly. The only negative of my suspension is a positive scrub radius but, based on my reading, this might actually be a good thing. Car manufacturers used positive scrub radii for years to make the car easier to maneuver in parking situations.

Here is a link to my suspension:

default values

[HydroJim]

I'm thinking of making the trike electric.

Reasons:

• It's cool
• Wouldn't cost much more than using a donor motorcycle
• Would be a lot more fun to drive
• I'd have no clutch to worry about.
• no shifter to worry about
• the torque would get me up to speed a lot faster than a little 250cc engine

The vehicle isn't going to have wipers, defrosters, heat, or A/C, so I don't think I'd want to go on super far trips anyway. I was thinking of adding a small gasoline engine to extend my range or maybe even a range extending trailer. nice thing is that can always come later.

hmmm... many directions to take the project, but I'm really liking the idea of electric drive.

Now I have to source a complete swing arm assembly from a motorcycle...

[renault_megane_dci]

Electricity is the way to go I think !

But it certainly would cost much more battery wise than a donor vehicle even a new one ...

Your originall plan was the best : devellop the chassis and get it rolling with a bike engine and further electric devellopement in mind.

[Smurf]

I agree with getting something going as a first try concept, then seeing what would be an improvement when you're done. You seem to be having similar problems to my own, that everything sounds like a good idea to try but you only have one "shot" at it.

For example, you could build your first one this year. Decide what is right, what is wrong, DC or ICE, FWD or RWD, 1 person or 2, etc. Try to save $1000ish over the winter, reuse some of your parts from the first build, and upgrade it. Rip out the ICE and install a basic DC setup, then the next summer invest in better batteries. This would give you time to balance the weight of the batteries for center of gravity purposes, etc.

Remember, if you are to build just a simple, usable reverse trike, you would already be ahead of so many dreamers, including myself.