Vetter Streamliner Helix
 

Anybody else following Craig Vetter's progress on his Honda Helix? Latest update was 6/8 and the project is really picking up steam! Go Craig!

http://craigvetter.com/images/Last%2...ing-26-200.jpg

http://www.craigvetter.com/pages/470...ring%20P9.html

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.

The 470mpg motorcycle was just a modded 125cc dirtbike (stroked, higher gearing, lowered, etc.) with Vetter's fairing. It wasn't anything proprietary to Honda like the EV1 was to GM. If it did get crushed, it still is a shame.

Charly Perethian's "Rifle," which is very similar to Matsuzawa's "Spud," is on display at the Smithsonian Museum of National History. It is very much in the public eye.

Vetter's new fairing looks cool. I wonder if he is going to cover up the side gaps. I hope he modifies the gearing to take advantage of the fairing, though.

- LostCause

That fairing on a vectrix would be awesome.

Did I read that right : On his site he says with the fairing he only gets 69 MPG ?

Some full size cars on this site can do better than that.

Why such a big difference vs. the 470 MPG version ?

QUOTE : "What is interesting about my first trip on the yellow tailed machine is that mileage instantly went to 69 mpg, running hard. I must put it back in my shop to build the front, so it will be some time before I can make a backup run to verify this 69 mpg figure. Actually, until the thing has its tail and is completely enclosed, I really do not expect any change in mileage"

Yet another thing that puzzled me was the fact that his mileage didn't improve at all with a full boat tail using the foam mock up version.

Wierd .

I just wanted to add that I have a lot of respect for this guy and his work. This is one of the things I have been dreaming of for years.

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

bright yellow .035" polyethelene sheet??
 

That seems awful thin.. But, over-lapping to add more segments (like the lower parts) will not cause anything but tiny bumps in the outside shell..

Over lapping regular Coroplas would be like over-lapping roof shingles.
But, I guess the seams could be taped over if need be.

That aluminum frame inside the Yellow Tail sure reminds me of the inside of an airplane fuselage..

Vetter is a Aerocraftsman that's fer sure!

Dang, now I've got to run out to the garage and try to visualize where I could attach a couple boatail frames to the back end of my CRV! :eek:

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

PS - I like his joke about "Cardboard Aided Design".

Gee I always thought that's what it meant!

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

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?

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.

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.

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

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.

Lead
 

http://www.craigvetter.com/images/La...ead-03-web.jpg

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.

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.

Those headlights are gorgeous!

http://craigvetter.com/images/Last%2...hts-49-web.jpg

They do look great, don't they? And from a Dodge Caravan!

I like his comment: probably not enough electrical power on the bike to light both sides
:)

Thanks for bumping this thread. Craig has posted a video on his home page of his latest progress. Downloading now.

Just watched the latest video.

The handlebar design is brilliant! God bless the off-set fulcrum!

The cycle is looking pretty cyber-punk right now, too!

He's updated again - left side of the scooter is fully faired. Working out the kinks...

Freedom Machine - Fuel Economy -Chap 21

1 year later - Vetter project vid on YouTube