Slow progress but progress (DIY two seater tadpole trike, 9hp Honda diesel)

[GreenHornet]

OM,

Nice work so far I am curious as to the gear ratios and final drive ratio you are planning to use?

Also its a bit tough to see in the pics but how is the rear suspension set up?

GH

[user removed]

The rear suspension is a Harley softtail, as well as the transmission with the Harley belt drive. The primary will be chain drive from the engine to the transmission. Planning on using an alternator as the primary chain rensioner.

regards
Mech

[user removed]

By using a Harley softail powertrain and retaining the dimensions of the original bike's powertrain components, I have only to connect the diesel motor to the transmission input with a chain (primary). The donor bike was "upgraded to a stronger engine, transmission and final drive as well as a 4 inch belt primary (engine to transmission). The seller also rebuilt the transmission for me. He works with another Harley tech and they do engines and transmissions for local shops who prefer to farm the work out. They used to build drag race bikes until their sponsor lost interest.

I am hoping that between the rear tire, probably a 195/65/17 Bridgestone Ecopia (28.5 inch diameter) and the primary engine sprocket which will be the largest I can find, within reason, I am hoping the trike will get close to 60 MPH top speed. It will be interesting to see if it can get there, if not maybe a small turbo to get a little more power.

This allows the use of the Harley starter, which I got for $20. It mounts to the transmission and works through the transmission primary chain drive to the engine, which gives me electric start. A small single wire GM type alternator on an adjustable bracket that acts as a primary chain tensioner as well as providing a charging system.

I think the gas tank that came with the engine is 2 gallons capacity. No AC but for heat I am thinking a heat exchanger like the old VWs with an added exhaust system.

I plan on all lights being LED, with the possible exception of the headlight. Seating will be side by side with significant side crash protection. The sides of the frame will be covered in sheet steel, at least where a side impact could cause an injury.

regards
Mech

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

That's a nice project. So, are you considering to upgrade its drive layout to that hydraulic system you developed?

[user removed]

I keep forgetting my camera, might have to ride up there this week and take some pictures. The rear upper structure framework is fabbed in aluminum. Working on the front now, might see if I can form a lexan canopy with compound curves. Lowes has 3X6 sheets of .092 inch thickness for under $100 a sheet.

I weighed it using my bathroom scale, which maxes out at 270 pounds. It was 265 for each front wheel and 330 for the rear wheel, which is beyond the scales designed capacity but seemed fairly close. That's 860 pounds right now, so it should be around 1000 or so finished as long as we focus on minimal weight from here on.

Cripple Rooster, I plan on eventually using my design, either driving the rear wheel or in the wheel itself. I figured it's like "Which came first the chicken or the egg? A drive without a vehicle is less useful than a vehicle without a drive. When I put the patented drive in this vehicle, I might put the diesel-harley setup in a bike, but will probably use the same diesel engine. Who knows, if things go well I might just make it electric with a battery and low pressure switch, where the electric motor recharges the accumulator.

regards
Mech

[user removed]

The overall final drive (3.15) works out to the theoretical top speed of 83 MPH. Peak torque at 2500 RPM will be 55-60 MPH in 5th gear. First gear at max (3600) RPM works out to right at 22-24 MPH, according to my calculations.

At max power the fuel consumption is .5 GPH (180 grams per shaft HP per hour=about 33-34% efficiency). At peak torque it's probably 60% of that amount, so if I can get peak torque to sustain 55 MPH the mileage should be pushing 200MPG if it will maintain 55 MPH at 60% of peak consumption.

Double that if electric, and no need for a speed controller, with the hydraulic setup.

regards
Mech

[pgfpro]

edit:

[aerohead]

Originally Posted by Old Mechanic

I keep forgetting my camera, might have to ride up there this week and take some pictures. The rear upper structure framework is fabbed in aluminum. Working on the front now, might see if I can form a lexan canopy with compound curves. Lowes has 3X6 sheets of .092 inch thickness for under $100 a sheet.

I weighed it using my bathroom scale, which maxes out at 270 pounds. It was 265 for each front wheel and 330 for the rear wheel, which is beyond the scales designed capacity but seemed fairly close. That's 860 pounds right now, so it should be around 1000 or so finished as long as we focus on minimal weight from here on.

Cripple Rooster, I plan on eventually using my design, either driving the rear wheel or in the wheel itself. I figured it's like "Wwhich came first the chicken or the egg? A drive without a vehicle is less useful than a vehicle without a drive. When I put the patented drive in this vehicle, I might put the diesel-harley setup in a bike, but will probably use the same diesel engine. Who knows, if things go well I might just make it electric with a battery and low pressure switch, where the electric motor recharges the accumulator.

regards
Mech

You may have already blown plastic before,but if not, we used to have a local skylight manufacturing plant in Denton with a clever (simple) process.
The plastic was clamped atop an airtight frame which defined the base perimeter.
After reaching 'sag' in an electric pizza oven it was sealed to the table top by quick-clamping air clamps.
A light source/photo-cell was set at the desired height of the bubble which would open-circuit the air tables supply valve.
As the bubble rose,when it reached the set elevation,the photo-cell cut the air.If the bubble 'sank',pressure was restored,and this process repeated until the plastic cooled enough to set.Really elegant engineering.

[user removed]

Pictures.

regards
Mech

[user removed]

More pictures. You can get a perspective comparing it to the Fiesta. Frontal area should be about 60% of the Fiesta. I'm hoping the CD will be around .15.

regards
Mech