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

[OG VX]

Gotcha, they make pleather covers for them that are pretty affordable, correct?

[user removed]

Not sure, might prefer something I can toss in the washer and drier. That might be the next to last thing i do to it LOOL. Jk MATE.

regards
mech

[H-Man]

Any progress?

[a8ksh4]

Yeah, what's new, Mech? This things going to be awesome!

[whatmaycome14]

I'm going to have to come down and see this again once it's up and running (or before).

[ToddT58]

Subscribing

Though not something for your project, reading through the 38 pages I had an idea. I see many here come from an aviation background. What about covering with fabric like the airplanes of old. Instead of Grade A Cotton or Irish Linen like back then, Dacron or Stitts can be made tough and light.

Then, what about covering that with carbon fiber if you want more of a structural shell? I've never worked with this stuff, only helped covering some planes 45 years ago. But it seems like we could glean a lot of neat ideas out at the airport.

My hat is off to your work here! Thanks for sharing!

[freebeard]

The difference between Dacron and carbon fiber is the former is an unstressed, and the latter a stressed skin, construction. The underlying structures would be wholey different. I thought the OP was intending a fabric skin on the upper fairing.

What I understand is that carbon fiber is prone to shattering. Here is an article on basalt roving impregnated with graphite nanotubes.

Impacting our World - Basalt Fibers & Nanotechnology - Basalt Guru

The results were astonishing. Going from psi to megapascal test results. Which means the performance of the basalt fiber fabrics under impact and load testing was many times improved.

Rock on.

[arklan]

so this should make a fantasticly efficient car..
my suzuki 800 is way too bad for any mods to make a real difference so im looking at making a car like this
so i have some questions;
why did you make this car so tall? and why did u make it this short? the pictures iv seen of efficient cars are much longer in the tail..

[user removed]

One of the significant hurdles for me was the rear tire. The rim is 17x5 (Harley) tubeless and also can not be more than 27 inches in overall diameter. I found this tire and think it will fit and work fine for my application having a recommended rim width of 5.5 versus my 5 inches.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....omCompare1=yes

arklan:
The height is barely enough for me to fit inside wearing a motorcycle helmet, which is the current requirement in Virginia. The highest part is in the middle, the upper protion of the passenger compartment is circular in cross section so the height you talk about only exists in the center. Also with this configuration there is no room for any console or any space between the seats, similar to an early VW but even less by design.

regards
mech

[HHOTDI]

Hey O.M. Here is one on their site that is a LRR-Low Rolling Resistance tire that might better serve your purpose...

Pirelli Cinturato P7 All Season Run Flat

Mike :{)