Trike, bad idea?
 

I have one of these sitting around collecting dust.
http://www.campbellmotorsport.com/Si...ebsite%203.jpg
http://www.eformulacarnews.com/images/content/3087.JPG

And someone near me is selling a front end damaged PCX125 cheap.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--N1xU3mCyB...lick+125i..jpg

Should have about 12hp, and be redline limited to 65mph.

Would it be a horrible idea to merge the 2? Is there a way to make the gearing taller (different tire maybe)?

I also have a canopy started, so should be fairly aero aside from needing to enclose the front wheels.

General thoughts?

edit; found this thread on the bigger pcx
notes for reference:
http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...e-27787-2.html

Cool idea, but it would have to be in it's own class at the next Natchez Trace Eco Run!!

Automatic best-in-class! :D

Maybe a 125cc engine would still not be the best option for such project, if you want to make it roadworthy. BTW not sure about aftermarket support for the PCX if you would eventually consider an engine tuning and gearing mods. But it still seems to be an interesting project.

I would sell the race car or not mess with it ...

Is aero that much of an issue for the PCX to go faster than the quoted 65 mph ?
Cx can be improved but what about Surface ?

In this range of vehicle there is very much a compromise between acceleration, driveline and engine efficiency and limited power / power band.


Would call for some calculator work I believe ...

I don't like selling things, just one of my (many) oddball qwirks.Plus my wife hates it when i buy vehicles, even after I sell one. Its just easier to re-purpose them. The back half is already spoken for a trike going the other way, so this takes care of the leftovers.

Its gearing limited, and being a CVT, it'd be hard to change. A tire swap would be the easiest, but even this is limited by the combination swingarm/ engine setup.

I can live with 55 mph 90% of the time, and could start looking at alternate routes for the rest. Being able to do 70 would be best though.

Its a shame cbr250's go for too much crashed. That would be ideal, (sped but not mpg) but most are sold at dealer only insurance auctions anyway.

You may find some way to overcome this issue, even if you had to work around a secondary transmission to function as a splitter (such as those Brownlipe auxiliary transmissions used in heavy-duty trucks) to change the gearing according to your needs between city traffic and highway, and eventually to provide reverse gear.

There are also in-line reversing gearboxes used with motorcycle-engined track day cars that retain the original motorcycle transmission. From what I've heard they are priced as the limited production/race quality parts they are.

cheers,
Michael

Or can still work around the gearbox of a random subcompact car for cost savings.

I kind of don't get the purpose of the whole project.

You could re-purpose a race car and use it on the street ?

It's plain science - fiction for me since I am in France where it's very much impossible ...

What's the engine in the race car ?

What about EV power ?

Point, higher potential for mpg. The stock scooter is good for 130mpg. Adding a more aerodynamic body should make it capable of 200 under ideal conditions.

The third wheel could be completely shrouded, so it would have a lower cd than my vx, and a much smaller frontal area.

You can repurpose here. It would fall under motorcycle regulations with 3 wheels.

Its a race prepped air cooled vw, not great for mpg.

EV power won't have the range I would want.

May have to wait for a bit, the scooter sold. I'll keep an eye out for a wrecked grom. I may have to settle for a cbr250, i the building bug hits hard enough.

If you would eventually be using a CBR engine, or any other motorcycle engine, have you never lurked about making it a hybrid with an electric motor to drive the front wheels? I don't remember which ones (AC or DC) are reversible, but that may be a good way to also provide reverse gear.

I think Gold Wings are set up to run the starter motor in reverse to help back them up. You might just add an external starter motor that will engage the drive chain but spin in the opposite direction.

cheers,
Michael

Most states have minimum seat height regulations. 20 inches? Your race chassis won't pass inspection even as a motorcycle. The PCX125 is redline AND horsepower limited to 62 mph. It gets 105 mpgUS at best. Not 130. I get 90 mpgUS on my CBR250R. And 98 mpgUS on the PCX150. The PCX150 will hit the higher redline at 66. Still too slow. There are parts available to increase the final gearing but you would have to stack two different kits to make any real change. You might get 15% longer gearing but the 125 doesn't make enough power to take advantage of it.
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The Honda PCX / Honda Forza Forums • View topic - Gears for higher top speed
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Go with a CBR250R drive train if you want to cruise at 70 mph.

Target speed ?
Target weight ?
Target range ?

Vehicle width and current eight (of the driver if it's the current highest point).

I find it awesome the freedom you guys get for projects to hit the street ...