a 50cc or electric mini car project?

[ebacherville]

this design looks very stable..

YouTube - Atomic Zombie Extreme Machines Delta Wolf trike

[SuperTrooper]

Originally Posted by ebacherville

yeah the moon beam is a great example. really all that needed is a enclosed space that fairly easy to enter .. I think the easiest would be a small version of the smart car ..

however a recumbent riding position would eliminate lots of frontal area.. and at 30 wind resistance may not be a huge factor but could mean the difference of 30mph to 35mph with a small motor.

A faired scooter reall doesnt offer much more than a scooter in general , the tipping over factor and stability could be huge in bad weather.

Once you get over 10-15 mph overcoming wind resistance is the major consumer of vehicle power. In an low powered vehicle like we are discussing here it is a HUGE factor! More like the difference between 25 and 40 mph.

[ttoyoda]

Non-tadpole trikes scare me
This video shows a carfully engineered test by highly trained individuals working under strictly controlled conditions to illustrate the hazard.

YouTube - 3 Wheeler Rollover

As the rollover starts, the natural instinct is for the driver to brake hard to slow down, I think this makes the problem worse.

With a tadpole trike this problem is reduced. Also, the tadpole design fits in better with the lowest drag shape shell, which is round (largest cross section) in the front and comes to a knife edge in back.

[stormbird]

Hi there

If it is a three wheeler and not a tadpole then it is called a delta trike.
The reason the one in the video rolls over is because the engine is high up between the driver and the front wheel both recipes for disaster in this trike.

Vigillante and Trivette (Trivette II)

This is how to do it well !

This out corners a F1 car !

Welcome to the home of the VIGILLANTE

Paul

[ttoyoda]

stormbird,
Thanks for the links.! That is a really cool car, it looks really sharp.
I think the air drag of the shape is optimized for velocity greater than the speed of sound, though. A sharp nose and truncated rear. But it sure looks good.

[skyl4rk]

This would be a good powerplant/drivetrain combo, a Honda 50cc motor with an internally geared hub, chain drive.

Motorized Bicycles Detail Page

The gearing offers you the ability to run the motor at the right rpms for most efficient fuel consumption. I believe it also has a freewheel on the hub so that you can shut down the motor during the glide and the chain and clutch do not turn and cause drag. By changing the size of the output gear, you can easily adjust the range of gearing to fit the drag of a faired trike, in other words, gear it for lower rpms at a given speed. The kit is set up for relatively easy installation on a bicycle frame. It also allows for pedal assist which is very helpful starting from a stop, where the motor is usually the least efficient.

[LostCause]

You guys can always build the California Commuter. Plans are available for this three-wheel, diesel record-setter. An electric version was developed also.

I personally think you would have to be nuts to drive this thing in traffic.





- LostCause

[ttoyoda]

I personally think you would have to be nuts to drive this thing in traffic.

Safer than a scooter or motorcycle because: It's big enough for people to see; Legs are inside so when you get T boned you don't lose your leg; If you slip on RR tracks in the rain, or those darned plastic plates they put next to RR crossings, or manhole covers, the vehicle just slides, it does not drop like a rock; Wide enough so cars don't try to "share" your lane; Much more room for gas tanks; Place to carry shopping/groceries.

[skyl4rk]

Where I drive, which is small town midwest with a lot of country roads, I need to go at least 50 mph to use it as a replacement for a car on country roads. 55mph would be better. In town, 30mph is plenty.

I don't always need to drive it 50mph but on state highways, I tend to get a long line of cars behind me when I drive at 50mph. 55 mph on the busier roads is a courteous minimum speed. I'm not sure if this is possible or advisable using bicycle components. However I believe it can be done with a low horsepower motor, maybe even the Honda 50cc motor with a good fairing.

I would probably start out with the 20mph (cough cough 35mph) moped version for use in town and then do some secret experiments in the lab to see if it is feasible for 55mph.

[Blue07CivicEX]

Is the tail on that thing good for anything other then holding the 155mpg sticker? I also enjoy the fact he gave up on the california commuter II to work on the robosaurus which probably uses about a years worth of gasoline in one show. But! maybe without the tail I wouldn't be opposed to something like that if I was using $4/week of gas.