California Commuter - 150+ MPG Motorcycle

[kawboyCAFE]

Originally Posted by roflwaffle

Three wheelers are cake to drive....

yeah, well thats what you'd be after driving something that low, flat as a (pan)cake. if you drove that out on the highway, a truck driver would run you over because he didn't see you. or thats what he would use as an excuse anyway. it does look cool though, just too low.

[Kincurd]

Originally Posted by euromodder

It leads on to the California Commuter II which wasn't built, but looks a lot like an Aptera with enclosed front wheels !

Looks a lot like the Tri-Magnum.

http://www.rqriley.com/imagespln/t-mag_rear1.jpg
http://www.rqriley.com/imagespln/t-mag_bklite1.jpg

[Frank Lee]

Originally Posted by Hal

It's powered by a modified Honda S90 engine displacing about 125cc and making 15hp. The designer/engineer sells a construction book about it with plans and such on his website: Doug Malewicki's patented inventions and engineering involvements..

California has a 150cc minimum for highway use, making the California Commuter illegal in... California?

[roflwaffle]

Got a link to the law Frank?

[Frank Lee]

405. A "motor-driven cycle" is any motorcycle with a motor that displaces less than 150 cubic centimeters. A motor-driven cycle does not include a motorized bicycle, as defined in Section 406.

V C Section 405 Motor Driven Cycle

Freeways and Expressways: Use Restrictions
21960. (a) The Department of Transportation and local authorities, by order, ordinance, or resolution, with respect to freeways, expressways, or designated portions thereof under their respective jurisdictions, to which vehicle access is completely or partially controlled, may prohibit or restrict the use of the freeways, expressways, or any portion thereof by pedestrians, bicycles or other nonmotorized traffic or by any person operating a motor-driven cycle, motorized bicycle, or motorized scooter. A prohibition or restriction pertaining to bicycles, motor-driven cycles, or motorized scooters shall be deemed to include motorized bicycles; and no person may operate a motorized bicycle wherever that prohibition or restriction is in force. Notwithstanding any provisions of any order, ordinance, or resolution to the contrary, the driver or passengers of a disabled vehicle stopped on a freeway or expressway may walk to the nearest exit, in either direction, on that side of the freeway or expressway upon which the vehicle is disabled, from which telephone or motor vehicle repair services are available.

(b) The prohibitory regulation authorized by subdivision (a) shall be effective when appropriate signs giving notice thereof are erected upon any freeway or expressway and the approaches thereto. If any portion of a county freeway or expressway is contained within the limits of a city within the county, the county may erect signs on that portion as required under this subdivision if the ordinance has been approved by the city pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 1730 of the Streets and Highways Code.

(c) No ordinance or resolution of local authorities shall apply to any state highway until the proposed ordinance or resolution has been presented to, and approved in writing by, the Department of Transportation.

(d) An ordinance or resolution adopted under this section on or after January 1, 2005, to prohibit pedestrian access to a county freeway or expressway shall not be effective unless it is supported by a finding by the local authority that the freeway or expressway does not have pedestrian facilities and pedestrian use would pose a safety risk to the pedestrian.

Amended Sec. 6, Ch. 722, Stats. 1999. Effective January 1, 2000.

V C Section 21960 Freeways and Expressways Use Restrictions

Looks like it COULD be permitted but is it ever?

The prohibitory regulation authorized by subdivision (a) shall be effective when appropriate signs giving notice thereof are erected upon any freeway or expressway and the approaches thereto.

I saw such signs at the freeway entrances in the Bay Area. No SuperCubs allowed!

Motor-driven cycle―A motorcycle with a 149 cc size engine or smaller. Be sure before you enter a freeway that the state has not posted any signs stating the operation of motor-driven cycles is prohibited on the freeway, you cannot legally ride your motor-driven cycle there.

http://www.dmv.org/ca-california/ins...quirements.php

[Hal]

At the time it was built the requirement was that a motorcycle produce a minimum of 15hp, which was accomplished by using a bore and stroke kit that brought the engine to 130cc. I plan to usea 250cc engine, with EFI and some other mods for fuel economy, and a more upright seating position to improve visibilty (plus at 55 I can't see climbing in and out of the original's driving position!)

[cleanspeed1]

Wonder if the Cali Commuter could get scaled up?

[Hal]

It could be scaled up/modified quite easily: bigger engine, more upright seating position.... the design is fairly basic and would lend itself to a number of mods and improvements.

[cleanspeed1]

Originally Posted by Hal

It could be scaled up/modified quite easily: bigger engine, more upright seating position.... the design is fairly basic and would lend itself to a number of mods and improvements.

After seeing it, the only thing I thought was how cool it would be if it stood taller and had room for four in a traditional seating arrangement.

[Hal]

That kind of misses the point. The idea was/is for a minimum vehicle for commuter not a multi-purpose all-around "family car". I am building one, with some modifications, because I have a 65 mile commute. I do it on a motorcycle - which I plan to continue doing - but want something a little less scary on he cold/snowy/icy days that retains the advantages of my bike (more convenienient parking at work, preferential loading and lower fares on the ferry) as well as great fuel economy.