Project: The AeroMetro

[Frank Lee]

I mathed out a trike conversion on a Tempo. Modest lowering and increasing front track via offset wheels lead to predicted stability no worse than that of a full-size van.

[Frank Lee]

Originally Posted by elhigh

... the rear suspension of any largish touring bike has enough oomph to hold up the light end of a tadpole trike.

Yeah, it'll hold up the static weight, but I wouldn't trust it in stock form for cornering, as it was never made to handle significant SIDE loading.

[freebeard]

Just a thought, but since you're taking a great whack out of the vehicle anyway; if you pie-cut the floorboard just inside each door (even 2 or 3 inches), you could move the door post in and start the side taper 3-4 feet sooner.

Are you going to chop the top?

[elhigh]

Originally Posted by Frank Lee

Yeah, it'll hold up the static weight, but I wouldn't trust it in stock form for cornering, as it was never made to handle significant SIDE loading.

Good point. Can't lean into the turns anymore to keep the loading lined up with the bike's centerline.

But then I think about such classic tadpoles as the Tri-Magnum and other kits that made use of a big bike's rear. Did they add any kind of bracing to bolster the rear? I honestly can't remember right now.

[aerohead]

Originally Posted by HydroJim

smurf- I think it will end up being lengthened a little bit, but not too much. I'm trying to keep the weight down. I think front wheel skirts can achieve a similar drag number with much less frontal area. I like the fiberglassing idea, but what is on these right now is well and working so I think I'll stick with it. Keep the ideas coming though.

albyneau- The guy who assembled the fastener kits did it because he was using them on his turbo build. a few guys on the forum asked him to put together some kits. He did it and sold it at cost to a few guys on the forum. One of the guys ended up liquidating all the parts that he was saving up for the build and I scored the fasteners for cheap enough to justify the price. I believe the whole kit was 168 pieces and it cost about $1 per piece originally. So I'd say the pricing matches your 2-4 per bolt. The guys have been using the hardware no problem. I thank you for your advice though!

Apologize for late catch up.
Your doing exactly as Hucho recommends.
Kamm achieved Cd 0.12 in 1/5-scale model @110 mph tunnel speed with full-'Template.'
We know from Walter Lay's research at the University of Michigan that morphing the 'pumpkin seed' nose into a more conventional A-Pillar/windshield makes no dent in the Cd.
You have a real good shot at Cd 0.16.

[aerohead]

Originally Posted by Frank Lee

I mathed out a trike conversion on a Tempo. Modest lowering and increasing front track via offset wheels lead to predicted stability no worse than that of a full-size van.

Korff did a reverse-trike.Very stable.
I think Tri-Magnum guys did an exhaustive study on chassis dynamics and showed good numbers.
Dymaxion Car was struck by a rubber-necker so that one doesn't count.
GM brought the Messerschmitt over for the Cadillac dealerships in the '50s.A room mate's girlfriend's older sister's boyfriend had a Messerschmitt and he drove it like a mad man to no ill effect.
Volkswagen did a really nice reverse-trike in the '80s.
With FWD the Metro has a CG advantage like Citroens of the 70s.
Kamm stayed with DKW as it was the only FWD offered in Germany.One of his last streamliners was a 1960s DKW for Battelle Institute,Frankfurt.
And Kamm was almost obsessed with directional stability.
I don't see a big problem.

[HydroJim]

This project has been resurrected. My dad has got himself together financially and I think he's itching for one last project before I go off to college. I'm thinking of doing this whole thing over 2 weeks of Christmas break. If I finish it on time, one last science fair for me, and if not, I'll just finish it up later no big deal.

That sounds crazy, but I think I can do it. You'll know for sure in 4 months. Time to refresh myself on the details and start getting a plan and a budget going.

Old Mechanic and I might have ourselves a little competition going soon.