Aerodynamic Scooter Fairing(s)
 

Okay, this is my first ever post on this forum, but I have been a lurker here over the past few years. First time for everything, I guess. :)

I have recently been making some basic google sketchup models of ideas I have had for aerodynamic fairings for scooters.

The main things to consider in designing something like this are:

- Visibility
- Comfort/No distractions like heat or cold
- No restriction in movement
- Fuel efficiency (of course)
- Road legality (number plates, indicators and parking spots)
- Weight
- Speed (Many scooters are maxed out on level ground at about 80 Km/h, but preferably should be able to keep up with cars going a bit faster.)
- Compactness (storage could become annoying for a larger fairing)
- Looks (because why not?)
- Ease of construction with available materials
- Cost
- Easy to get on and off, for changing oil, etc.
- Stability
- Ability to handle crosswinds. *Important issue
- Safety

With all these things in mind, I have made a lot of different models and mixed and stretched those to find the ideal fairing I'd like to make. My main issues that still need to be solved are the problem of crosswinds, and the road legality of the scooter with the fairing.

I have read up on Craig Vetter and his experiments with this, and they seem promising, aside from his problems with wind.

Any help/ advice anyone here can give me for this project would be greatly appreciated, thank you!

Here are some images of my renders, taken with a camera to make them harder for people to copy and claim as their own:
(I'll post them in the comments since the website won't let me post links because I have no previous posts here, which seems a little odd to me.)


Obviously all of this is just conceptual, nothing is final yet and this is just my brainstorming process. Any feedback would be just as appreciated as advice! :)

Image links
 

fairing number one: Fairing Number One - Album on Imgur

fairing number two: Fairing Number two - Album on Imgur

fairing number three: Fairing Number Three - Album on Imgur

fairings number four and five: Fairings Number Four and Five - Album on Imgur

the rest of the fairings as of 4 September: The rest of the fairings 4 September - Album on Imgur

Nice designs !

I noticed you put 'safety' last in your list of priorities.

The first thing I noticed about Vetters designs are that the insides are very rough and seem to have a lot of sharp edges.
If I were to ride in such a vehicle, I would want the entire front end to be made of foam, and the windscreen designed to break away in an accident.

Welcome

House rules. I see you're up to six posts so you are good to go.

How does the camera help? Watermarking might; but I'd just slap a Creative Commons logo on it and let it go.

Thank you! I honestly just listed things in the order I thought of them in, there is no priority here. The safety part mostly means I don't want to compromise any of the existing safety of a scooter, but it may possibly be improved by having a fairing on it that acts as a sort of fender in the event of a collision. Not that I plan on collisions happening either haha. :)

I never noticed that about Craig's designs, but thank you for bringing it up! I'll surely keep that in mind. I'd like to add some lightweight foam rubber onto the insides of the fairing for a little more (flexible) strength and comfort.

I don't have any files saved though, only these photographs. But I can make better renders. When you make a lot in a short space of time it's easier to just photograph the screen. (I am using freeware rendering software that won't allow me to save rendered images)

I wonder what would be the effect of an aerodynamic fairing in a Piaggio MP3. Also, due to its 3-wheel layout, could be entirely enclosed.

Oh, I'd definitely do that if it was something I'd be able to afford. But I think if I went for a three wheeler I'd probably want something that would not have to lean when cornering.

You want the capability to lean in a turn if you are traveling at speed so you can keep from tipping over. ;)

Randy Grubb already has a mod on a MP3 platform. You should check it out. ;)
Decopod Tri-Pod - an art deco aluminum bodied scooter from Randy Grubb

Video...
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=lo_zXe2UWKw