Another 3-wheeler concept + resources
 

Enlight of my occupation and having (3) 12hr work days with nothing to do but think, think, google, ecomodder, think, google, etc.

In searching for a "general" Scooter HP chart/info. I stumbled across this website. Not that it has small displacement <150cc figures sadly but does give a figure of "true" HP for more common displaced engines, that could be used, for such a project.
True Rear Wheel Horsepower

Along with the multitude of MPG figures, and best recommendation threads here.
http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...our-19697.html
http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...kes-23118.html
etc...

Chassis design and fabication tips/tricks galore. With strong emphasis and importance of "Aero Efficiency" and "Power efficiency".

Utilizing such tools:
Aerodynamic & rolling resistance, power & MPG calculator - EcoModder.com
http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...ion-21952.html

One should be able to accomplish the task of DESIGN.
Building within the designs CONSTRAINTS(Height/width/length, #of wheels, #passengers, cargo).
Figuring out the FORCES involved(Aero, RR, power:weight).
Puting that information to USE.

When I think efficiency. I tend to focus on JUST that role and the best posible way only. Ambitious as I am, I'm still as "backyard" as you can get, along with my fellow DIY'ers.:thumbup: I like 99% of us on the Forum are looking for any and every possible way to save $$$.

The sole purpose of me writing this out, is that this is exactly what my goal is for this (LONG Term) project. To BUILD a vehicle as Cheaply as possible for "Road Use" with the (highest efficieny for my money).

Safety is High Priority still, so don't get the wrong idea.
Reliability, is next on the list. Besides Basic maintenence/cost of ownership will (hopefully) be as minimul as possible!
Practicality, will be of some importance(work commuter, +1/2 passengers, small cargo)
Simplicity hehe, this one will be fun... But is managable! Materials sheet should look like an average trip to a Hardware/Parts store.:thumbup:

Basically an Eco-Steriod Inverted Trike

Pictures for reference:
http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphoto...65107393_n.jpg
http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphoto...36926643_n.jpg
http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphoto...04656004_n.jpg
http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphoto...93528211_n.jpg
http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphoto...97087209_n.jpg
http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphoto...13278897_n.jpg
http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphoto...01917694_n.jpg

Lol, if you've made it this far, I appreciate the effort you've put in. Hope the pics were worth it!!! Till next time, i should have some rough sketches done:turtle:

Nice !

That formula ford front and motorcycle rear has been a desire of mine since I first saw them in the late '80s. Such sweet marriage of car and motorcycle.

I wonder why they haven't caught on? Well, maybe it's the same reason why I don't have one now. Takes up even more room and is even less practical than a motorcycle.

The are still just so damn cool.

Are there still plans available for the Indy car Clone? The side pods are larger than needed and the kit called for a 900cc donor bike as I recall.

Pretty sure some plans are still floating around on enthusiast race forums. I've consistantly thought about a cbr6000/900 donor engine for a single seat sand rail, but that would seem a bit overkill for this particular project:rolleyes:

Throwing Performance aside. I am looking into a 2/4 cylinder, liquid cooled 500-750cc
OR
Roughly anything between 25-60hp with decent low-mid range torque.
of course, CHEAP as possible.

No sketches yet, preoccupied with the weekend festivities!

http://texasraptor.com/all-photos/

Dick Kincheloe's Raptor, using an 1100 bike IIRC. That is absolutely gorgeous, in every aspect. He built it more for fun, because an Ecomodder wouldn't have those large front jet fighter scoops... but still. Amazing.

Wow! Mad fab skills. Wish I had the time and skills to play around like that!

The front wheels of the raptor are too far forward for good handling.

You said it, absolutely gorgeous! ...yess this is along the line what i'm planning only it be 2+1 seating arrangement, maybe not quite that long, but just as wide with the wheels covered up in some way. more like the T-rex but longer. Sorry, weekend and work have been a pain no time for sketching :(

I'd suggest spending a few hours with Google SketchUp, you can really get some concepts down and 'see' the dimensions of everything. Build a few different models, one from the seating building out, one from the ideal outside shape building in, etc. Helped me a lot.