what is the Cd of my trike?

[aerohead]

Originally Posted by drmiller100

I'm a huge fan of the Myers Briggs Personality Index, and it helps me understand myself, and others. FWIW, I am the classic, old school ENTP.

I am NOT visual. I have a tough time Imagining the LOOKS of things. I have a tough time making things LOOK good. I can't imagine how things will look SPECIFICALLY.

I'm good at understanding how things WORK, and how to improve how things WORK.

I thought the idea of a FWD reverse trike would be cool. So, I built a frame. put the engine in. suspension. Then I scabbed on a nose from an old mold I had laying out back.

Then I hired a guy to do a bunch of body work to make it all look a little better, then I ran out of money to pay him more. Now I'm going to work on making it drive.

Lets be real. I'm going to make it drive, grab some numbers off it, and then report back. I certainly hope I am better then .40 Cd.

I honestly believe .20 is realistic based on the current shape, and some clean up on the rear of the fenders.

I hate the rear scoops. I'm probably going to cut them off, smooth it over, and put a HUGE stripe on the side like the pic from Kach has.

Is there anyone else out there who has the desire to build something like this? I sure am curious no one seems very interested in building something like it.

It was pretty easy.

I was 'constructing' mine when the T-100 showed up and I haven't looked at it since.
Mines a VW forward pan section and front axle grafted into a 1.5" mild steel roll cage,married to a Honda 700cc V-twin Shadow,with bubble canopy off of a Sonnaire (or somethin' like that)kit plane.
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I think you can get to Cd 0.20 no sweat!
Some things to look at are :
*1981 X-100 Gyronaut by Alex Tremulis,Cd 0.20,100 mpg at 55 mph.
*1982 California Commuter by Doug Malewicki,155 mpg at 55 mph.
*1982 Ford/Ghia Cockpit concept.
*1982 Lone Eagle,by Alex Tremulis,Cd 0.13,7.5 sq-ft Af.
*1982 3-wheel urban vehicle,by Stewart Reed
*1982 Litestar/Pulse GCRV,by James Bede,Cd 0.18-19
*1982 VW ARVW,Cd 0.15
*1983 X200 by Alex Tremulis,Cd 0.11
*1985(circa)Tri-Magnum by R.Q.Riley
*1986 VW 'Scooter',Cd 0.25
*1990 VORTEX
*1990 UTAH 7,by Luigi Colani,Cd 0.18
*1991 DORAN,by Rick G.Doran,Reno,Nevada
*1992 Shamu,U.C.Davis,Davis,California,Cd 0.15
*1993 Sylph by Matt Van Leeuwan,Cd 0.103(model @ Cal Tech)
*1999 Sparrow,by Corbin Motors,Hollister,California
*2002 Coast to Coast (C2C) by Doug Malewicki,Newport Beach,California
*2002 www.bugwing.com
*2005 Robert Q.Riley Enterprises

[drmiller100]

Originally Posted by ecomodded

My guess was 0.19, half my cars cd.
You have probable thought this design out already but..
But my real point for posting was to give out a idea for the doors, even if not for this project, anyways, if you changed the hinges to open as suicide doors you could make the door panel to match the hood/fenders, if you wanted that is.
With a good design it may not require too much panel shaping possible just a few easy lines over a light frame.

so, I have a local guy who is REALLY FRIGGING SMART.

He came up to me last week, and says exactly what you said. Makes things pretty interesting.
I'm going to make the port side no long open/close, and make the fill area storage for golf clubs and such.

I'll make the starboard side the "opening" door.

But first, before all that, I hope to have it on the road tomorrow.

[jime57]

I think you are looking at .19+/- a bit, on the Cd. Your Area is small, so the CdA will be very nice. Just as a reference, the CdA for the first generation Honda Insight is 5.0. You have a much smaller green house and a much better aero rear, so I'm betting on a low CdA, the real aero drag factor.

[drmiller100]

Thanks Jim - I hope to have some real numbers in the next month.

maybe today I'll drive it around the block. Still have lots of stuff to do on it though.

[ecomodded]

Great plan your going with, It is going to come out Amazing.
A muscle Trike.

[divedaddy03]

I can't wait to see videos of this thing on the road! Kudos.

Wayne
SC

Originally Posted by drmiller100

Thanks Jim - I hope to have some real numbers in the next month.

maybe today I'll drive it around the block. Still have lots of stuff to do on it though.