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Old 12-03-2008, 08:09 PM   #33 (permalink)
metromizer
Master EcoModder
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: NorCal
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Frank Lee View Post
mizer: good thoughts, that's kinda where my enthusiasm to hack up my car lost it's momentum. My calcs showed less than 100 lbs weight loss, and I'd expect some reduction in rolling resistance simply due to the elimination of tire scrub on one end as the suspension works. But those factors, nice as they are, probably don't amount to a significant increase in fe... and they definitely amount to a significant compromise in utility.
I missed the fact that the 3 wheel metro pictured now enjoys motorcycle status.

It's been a long time since I owned a motorcycle, 1980 or so, here in California, the registration I paid for my motorcycles was a lot lower than my cars at the time. A savings of up to $75/yr on registration? In California, a motorcycle used to get away from the required for cars semi-annual emissions test, ~$45/yr. Insurance savings? Even if there is no FE avantage, There is potential saving you could use to buy maybe 3 months/yr. worth of fuel...
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