Vetter Streamliner Helix

[aerohead]

Gee I always thought that's what it meant!

[aerohead]

Originally Posted by trikkonceptz

I don't know if you guys read some of the related stories, but I read the one about the 470mpg motorcycle .. and figures, Honda had it crushed in 2006, no sense in letting the public know this exists.

They also have a 5,000-plus mpg car!

[Xringer]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

That was prescient of you.

His latest update is about how the plastic is too thin and soft, and was deforming in the heat and at speed.

Last Vetter Fairing - Fuel Economy -P12

He even did the "like over-lapping roof shingles" trick with it..
But, he didn't try using multi-layers.. If he could have used some spray
adhesive between the layers that would cure in-place (with the curvature).
That might have had more firmness. Even just two layers would might have
worked better.

I've made RC model gliders and airplanes covered with thin plastic called
monocoat Covering Materials - Iron-On Plastic
It's heated with a heatgun or iron until it's really tight and won't flop around under wind loads.
I'm wondering if maybe 6 or 8 layers of Monocoat would work for his application?

[beatr911]

Yeah, taken a few looks at it. It's pretty interesting. Craig is alot like the rest of us, designs by eye with an intuition on how things work.

I'd also like to see an aero faired version of the Chinese 200cc road bikes. These have lots of potential as an inexpensive high mpg ride.

[bryn]

Originally Posted by beatr911

I'd also like to see an aero faired version of the Chinese 200cc road bikes. These have lots of potential as an inexpensive high mpg ride.

from an economic/enviromental stance its still better to buy a used bike a few years old.

i bet a used 250cc honda, yamaha, etc. will be better quality.

besides you won't be suporting chinese factory labor(basicaly slave) the only way they could produce a bike that cheap.

[MetroMPG]

Vetter had a productivity spurt and has been working on further optimizing the Honda's aero. Blog was updated Oct 14: Last Vetter Fairing - Fuel Economy -Chap 19

[Clev]

Originally Posted by 2003protege

i noticed that too--that his mileage seemed very low for such an aerodynamic, lightweight, two-wheeledmodestly powered vehicle.

The belt drive on those isn't very efficient. He must be doing something right, though--my Helix couldn't hit 70 mph unless it had a slight tailwind.

[Xringer]

That reminds me of when I finished making my 1st RC model.
It was a balsa glider (6' wing span) Windward iirc. w/ bright Yellow monokote.
I made it very light.. Then found it wouldn't penetrate into the wind!
Had to load up the nose with lead.. Or it would drift backwards in a good headwind.

[MazdaMatt]

He also said "Running hard"... can't exactly compare that to the people who coast down mountains with the engine off in their cars to get greater mileage. Go booting around ricer-style in a teeny geo and see if you can get 70mpg. He wasn't stating a optimal-speed top-gear cruise mpg.

[bennelson]

Those headlights are gorgeous!