Slow progress but progress (DIY two seater tadpole trike, 9hp Honda diesel) - Page 20 - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

Christ · 02-17-2014, 01:22 AM

Its manual.. that's theft protection right there. I joke with my insurance agent about this frequently - my car has a passive anti-theft device... its called a clutch pedal.

Christ · 02-17-2014, 01:24 AM

Btw I don't know about Va, but up here, signals aren't required for motorcycles... which is what a trike gets registered as. Probably better to have them, being enclosed and all, but worth knowing in case you might miss a deadline due to finnicky wiring or something.

user removed · 02-17-2014, 10:42 AM

Motorcycle turn signals were required in 1973 for bikes in Va, 1953 for cars. Since the shifter will basically be a lever working forward and backward, I'll probably just drill a hole through the shifter and mount and padlock it.

Typical 3 pedal clutch, brake, accelerator like manual cars, shifter either between the seats or left of the drivers seat. I want to keep the driver and passenger close to the center of the vehicle so the balance will be better. Two passengers my size will be about 40% of the vehicles weight.

regards
Mech

Christ · 02-17-2014, 01:02 PM

Considered using a Mc clutch handle directly on the selector lever? Sequential transmission gearboxes rarely need to be shifted using the clutch, simply applying pressure to the preload the lever while letting off the accelerator will cause it to skip up or down a gear. Given your low input torque, you're barely going to be loading the gears as it is under full power, so damaging the gearbox from shifting like that isn't a worry.

user removed · 02-17-2014, 02:26 PM

Yes, we are thinking alike and I like that since I think your a pretty dang smart person.

I have not gone concrete (finalized) on the clutch actuator mechanism. If it was cable, I would put it on the shift lever and I might anyway, but if I can find a prefabbed pedal cluster with the clutch and brake master cylinders cheap enough, then previously manufactured is my best choice.

With the foot controls in the same location as a normal car, then other drivers would not have to relearn their driving habits. As far as me either way works just as well.

I think I am going to pick it up Wednesday, the weather has finally got decent, didn't want to give it a 45 mile salt bath just to move it from one location to another (much preferred) location.

regards
Mech

Giovanni LiCalsi · 02-17-2014, 04:35 PM

Have you consider using a simple RC servo with a paddle shifter on the steering wheel?

Christ · 02-18-2014, 02:56 AM

Lemme know what for a pedal box you need... got a few from diff vehicles here with brake, clutch and gas pedals.

user removed · 02-18-2014, 09:54 PM

Let me get it home and mock up the steering column. then I can get some rough dimensions. Thanks a ton for the offer. Barring something unforseen it will be there tomorrow.

regards
Mech

Christ · 02-19-2014, 02:27 AM

No hurry, my stuff ain't going anywhere.

user removed · 02-19-2014, 08:24 PM

Got it home today, 46 miles behind the Ranger. Everything seemed OK until I got 3 miles away from the machine shop, then it started oscillating violently. I checked the toe in with my tape measure and it was towed in 2 inches!. Adjusted it on the side of the road and it was fine for the rest of just over 40 miles. I didn't push it, top speed under 55 MPH, mostly 45-50.

Now it's 20 feet away instead of just under 92 miles round trip.

regards
Mech