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Old 09-17-2022, 01:00 AM   #1 (permalink)
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Scooter frame to convert to recumbent

On my commute I am getting 48.8km/L of 91 petrol on my Yamamha R15 V3 however the riding position is uncomfortable.



A recumbent two seater with streamlined fairing sounds like a more comfortable option while preserving fuel economy and filtering capability.


AV-ACG - <b>British<br>Human<br>Power<br>Club</b>

I am looking for suitable scooter frame that offers:
1) Low seat height for driver and passenger.
2) Headstock height lower than eye level when seated.
3) Front wheel assembly narrow enough to accommodate feet forward position.
4) Inexpensive.

The Honda Ruckus has a suitable frame however it is an expensive Japanese import to Australia and costs more than my brand new R15 (crazy town).



Does anyone know of a scooter frame that might be suitable?

I am in Australia.

I have considering building the frame myself but the red tape here is super expensive.

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Old 09-17-2022, 12:22 PM   #2 (permalink)
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From 2014:

Quote:
Having no fabrication or welding skills, I decided that a Honda Cub would be an ideal candidate as a 'first attempt', as the frame layout would need very little modification.
ecomodder.com/forum/showthread.php/recumbent-honda-90-a-27945.html
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Old 09-17-2022, 03:17 PM   #3 (permalink)
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Off the top of my head, Ecomodders have had luck with Honda Innova 125i and Suzuki Burgman.

This thread might also give some ideas:
How many streamlined roadgoing motorcycles are there?
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[Old] Piwoslaw's Peugeot 307sw modding thread
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Old 09-20-2022, 09:46 PM   #4 (permalink)
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Seems like the Honda Cub and its many variants worldwide are as ubiquitous in Southeast Asia as the Ford Model T used to be in the United States back in the day. Aftermarket options seem to be plenty too.

On a sidenote, I have already seen a handful of Suzuki Burgman 125 scooters converted into reverse-trikes for paraplegic riders, and the seat had to be lower in order to enable the rider to transfer easily from the wheelchair. Traded some useful under-seat space but served the purpose quite well.
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Old 09-28-2022, 07:43 AM   #5 (permalink)
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Old 10-04-2022, 11:40 AM   #6 (permalink)
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This guy mods a scooter to an enclosed recumbent.
Where he's modding the frame should give you some ideas.
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Old 10-08-2022, 03:36 AM   #7 (permalink)
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Later that guy adapted the front-end of a quadricycle to that enclosed scooter. Well, had the scooter featured some provision for reverse, would be quite tempting to do a similar project, but the later addition of a quad front-end was not exactly a good move for the aerodynamics...
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Old 10-10-2022, 01:44 AM   #8 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cRiPpLe_rOoStEr View Post
Later that guy adapted the front-end of a quadricycle to that enclosed scooter. Well, had the scooter featured some provision for reverse, would be quite tempting to do a similar project, but the later addition of a quad front-end was not exactly a good move for the aerodynamics...
Reverse:
The range of complete wheel-hub-motors for scooters is quite comprehensive, making a petrol electric (with reverse) hybrid possible.

Quad front end:
I believe he went this way because of how scary he found gusts of wind to be.
As soon as you go 'aero' in a 'vertical wing' kinda way; you better know whatTF you're doing!

There are a number of ideas the negate the effect of side winds and specifically the effect of vertical wing stall which is the cause of the heart stopping moments.
Those Whale Tubercles for a start..

The 3 wheel conversion certainly paid no head to aerodynamics and could have been aerodynamically better done.
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Old 10-11-2022, 01:46 AM   #9 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Logic View Post
There are a number of ideas the negate the effect of side winds and specifically the effect of vertical wing stall which is the cause of the heart stopping moments.
Just look at those bicycle training wheels. Makes me wonder how it affects the turning radius.
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Old 10-16-2022, 07:18 PM   #10 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cRiPpLe_rOoStEr View Post
Just look at those bicycle training wheels. Makes me wonder how it affects the turning radius.
Those fold upwards/away.
But turning radius would be the same:
Sharp turns are done at low speeds where there is no to very little lean.

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