1 seater trike project! - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

todayican · 11-27-2010, 12:18 PM

This drives great! just add body and your off! It has a 250cc scooter rear driveline, I have the title from a 250 chineese bike I was going to use, it would make one heck of a winter project and (im guessing) solid 100 to 125mpg commuter!

JasonG · 11-29-2010, 12:22 PM

Nice chassis work, well the sway bar ehhh, but the rest looks great.

todayican · 11-29-2010, 12:24 PM

How could I have done that better Jason?

wyatt · 11-29-2010, 01:10 PM

Do you have MPG numbers as it is now? How about a top speed? Coefficient of Drag? These kind of figures would give people an idea on what kind of final numbers they might see. Also, is it a Manual or an Automatic? How many speeds? What is it missing that would be needed to get it road worthy (Speedometer, Turn Signals, Head Lights, Brake Lights, etc.) and practical (Fuel Gauge, Temperature Gauge, Body, etc.). And what kind of asking price are you looking at?

todayican · 11-29-2010, 01:18 PM

Its essencially just a rolling, powered chassis, all wiring to install lights, but none provided.

It weighs about 380lbs as it is and has a cvt scooter transmission, the body, once built, should add about 70 lbs, I have a source for an aircraft type canopy.

I would like to get $1500 out of it, but am open to offers, I expect that with a winters worth of dedicated work, this will be a 100 to 125mpg vehicle.

I have had it to about 50 and it tracks and drives, and stops great!

JasonG · 11-29-2010, 01:29 PM

The 90deg welded angle on the swaybar will cause it it flex more than if it was solid. This also applies a moment force to the welds.
May I suggest using a bent piece of round bar for this purpose. It will provide a more even force and will eliminate the weld stress.
Looks like you paid good attention to triangulation in the front end, I bet it is very stable when cornering.
I'd think with a good belt and a foam/fiberglass body, 100 MPG would be easy, 125 should be very doable. Bodyless, what does it get right now? Max MPH?

todayican · 11-29-2010, 01:40 PM

Ive had it up to 45 or 50 (no speedo) :-) drives good, I didn't want to chance going further / faster with no registration etc. no MPG ratings, but Vetters work, I suspect would come into play with a nice aero body.

A 250 scooter has like .5 aero, weighs about 270lb and gets 80, Im basing my guesses from that.