California Commuter - 150+ MPG Motorcycle

[cleanspeed1]

Originally Posted by 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.

Not necessarily, if anything that I've learned here is that aerodynamics trumps weight anyday, and the shape is what works.

[Hal]

Weight matters during stop and go driving, like when I am commuting..... Why would I want to haul around 3 empty seats and all that "excess" material with me every day?

[cleanspeed1]

So we can nip this in the bud, for what you want to do the configuration is fine the way it is; for me it is too small and too low, that's why I asked if it could be scaled up. The principles can be applied effecively even if the vehicle were slightly larger.

[fidalgoman]

Originally Posted by kawboyCAFE

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.

Quite a few years ago a friend of mine had an Opel GT (a Miata sized car). Anyway he had an incident in downtown where a Semi driver pulling up close behind him and not seeing him over the hood thought he'd pulled around the corner. When the truck pulled up to the intersection it pushed my friend out into traffic (no accident from oncoming traffic). He had to circle around the block to keep from being hit by traffic and then chase the driver down, who not only claims he didn't see the bright yellow sports car but didn't feel hitting it. Just food for thought.

The problem is scale of mixed vehicles, with pickups and semi trucks not going away any time soon. Be careful out there.

[alternativefuelconversion]

Way cool!

[solocycle]

Originally Posted by 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!)

Hal-
You might try www(dot)autospeed(dot)com for some construction ideas. It's an Austrailian site, and the University of South Austrailia built a similar three wheeler; electric--but with two seats (fore and aft, not side by side) more upright seating position with a fiberglass/aluminum sandwich monocoque frame. I've had the California Communter plans for just over a year and had similar concerns you expressed. Found some great ideas for this project throughout the site.

[Hal]

TREV... I like the construction method and the look. I used to work at an aerospace comosites manufacturer and collected a fair number of carbon fiber/nomex honeycomb panels (carbon fiber skins over nomex honeycomb). I envision something that is sort of a cross between TREV and the California Commuter - TREV construction and styling with the single seat and simplicity of CC.

[HHOTDI]

Originally Posted by Hal

TREV... I like the construction method and the look. I used to work at an aerospace comosites manufacturer and collected a fair number of carbon fiber/nomex honeycomb panels (carbon fiber skins over nomex honeycomb). I envision something that is sort of a cross between TREV and the California Commuter - TREV construction and styling with the single seat and simplicity of CC.

WOW HAL, that sounds like it would be so cool! I too purchased the plans he made for the CC. I have been acquiring info to make something like that, a cross between the TREV and the CC but with a little V-twin Turbo charged Diesel motor! Probably somewhere around 20-25hp base V-twin and then add the little turbo. Unlike most folks, my commute it about 130' down my sidewalk. I manage the apts I live in so there is no need to commute. I do however make several trips in to the bank, post office etc each week which i have to do. Anyway, i'm working on a 1cyl Diesel motorcycle now to compete in the Craig Vetter High Mileage Challenge race that he sponsors a few times each year. He said he was planning on sponsoring one in the Inland Northwest for those that are interested in coming over and entering the challenge! There is an electric division, car division and a Motorcycle/Scooter and the final event of 2011 was won by a fully aerodynamic diesel motorcycle! Head to his site and check it out! Craig Vetter dot com. Enjoy and hope to see you guys at one of his events! Mike

[FXSTi]

I have not seen anyone else build the California Commuter, yet this guy has been selling plans for years. I think the basic plan has some merit.

I spent a bunch of time checking out some of the supermileage challenge cars and events last night. There is the SAE Collegiate Design Series: Supermileage® which is based on a B&S engine (what a joke, the engines have nothing to do with what they start with), and this one; Shell Eco-marathon Americas 2012 Open For Registration | Global. There also some run for high school kids.

These "cars" are purpose built for the challenges and incredibly fragile. At the same time they are getting into the thousands of miles per gallon. I was thinking if one were to compromise by building a more reliable and practical version, license it as a moped, and drive it like a challenge car, 250 mpg would not be out of the question.

The CC has some of the compromises I would want. It has motorcycle tires and a suspension, but way to much motor to be registered as a moped. The Visibility Pod on the CC would also meet the requirement for the headlight center to be a minimum of 24" high. One area for improvement would be building a carbon fiber body shell I though the videos from this YouTube poster were very educational http://www.youtube.com/user/fibreglast/videos

In my state Mopeds are supposed to be less than 50cc's and slower than 30 mph. This speed limit would be perfect for using coast and burn. Ideally I would like to average around 30 mph for the kind of commute I am envisioning, so after registration it might get a little faster. Another requirement in Michigan is that the operator not be required to shift gears, so either an automatic with centrifugal clutch or some other arrangement would be in order. I'm thinking that to reduce drive line drag, the driven wheel should freewheel.

Anyway, this is as far as I have gotten on this thought exercise.

Kirk

[Hal]

I haven't made much progress on my vehicle - a combination of too many other projects, too much overtime and "option paralysis" (a condition brought about by being unable to choose between a number of equally attractive choices). But I am making some forward progress: I have a number of framing pieces cut (3/8" nomex honeycomb/carbon fiber panels) for a composite monocque TREV-inspired vehicle, and purchased a welder and some tubing for an updated version of California Commuter, so I am trying to solve the "options paralysis" problem by working two projects in parallel and deciding on such things as joysticks vs. handlebars, independent front suspension vs. beam...as the problems come up. I have started a new job that will involve less OT and a much easier commute so with luck I should have at least one of them rolling by the fall.