Three Wheelers - Your opinions and expertise wanted!
Discussion
I had thought of the Bmw Boxer engine some time ago and had found an interesting 3 wheeler design project by designer Ian Nisbett
http://www.iannisbettdesign.com/07/index.html
http://www.iannisbettdesign.com/07/index.html
KDIcarmad said:
Should we go FWD or RWD? This would effect select of the engine a lot.
If you go FWD, then it would be easier to choose any citycar as your single donor and can try to achieve your kit sale price objective.Rear wheel drive will be more expensive if you use a shaft drive with the engine at the front, just like the Triking and slightly less, if you use it like the Grinnal Scorpion with the engine in the middle.
You could also consider the cheaper alternative and follow what Mev is doing with their R1Trike, by using the complete engine and rear suspension of a Yamaha R1.
http://www.scorpionmotorsports.com/
the Scorpion P6 single seater 3wheeler looks like fun....even if a little pricey
the Scorpion P6 single seater 3wheeler looks like fun....even if a little pricey
fuoriserie said:
http://www.scorpionmotorsports.com/
the Scorpion P6 single seater 3wheeler looks like fun....even if a little pricey
I have seen this before and also like it. It reminded me of the Indycycle.the Scorpion P6 single seater 3wheeler looks like fun....even if a little pricey
www.indycycle.net/
A car build from plans. Both are single seater and I feel this hold them back.
Above is the Caparo T1, a two seater formula racer inspired car, that blow up on Fifth Gear and was almost undrivable on Top Gear. The front end of this would make a great three wheeler. In fact it already has.
This is the Goblin Wolfspyder (funny name!). I understand this is based on the running gear of a "Can-Am trike" and are built to order. It also costs a lot at $20,000 on top of the cost of the Can-Am trike and only one seat. The rear end looks wrong with that tail fin! A two seater three wheeler powered by a big motorbike engine would be fun! With these looks, it would sell!
Edited by KDIcarmad on Thursday 29th December 10:53
There was also the Robin Hood Bullet which had a similar front end and was scooter (up to burgman 600cc) powered.
I spoke to Robin Hood about it and apparently they classed it as an aluminium monocoque. The aluminium panels, when riveted and glued supported and strengthened each other and there was only a very small amout of box section in it!
Unfortunately it never made it to production, or i would have been tempted to buy one!
This is the only pic of it i can actually find.
I spoke to Robin Hood about it and apparently they classed it as an aluminium monocoque. The aluminium panels, when riveted and glued supported and strengthened each other and there was only a very small amout of box section in it!
Unfortunately it never made it to production, or i would have been tempted to buy one!
This is the only pic of it i can actually find.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1960-BERKELEY-T60-Rollin...
I've just noticed this Berkeley T60 3-wheeler (shell) for sale on ebay.
I've just noticed this Berkeley T60 3-wheeler (shell) for sale on ebay.
slomax said:
There was also the Robin Hood Bullet which had a similar front end and was scooter (up to burgman 600cc) powered.
I spoke to Robin Hood about it and apparently they classed it as an aluminium monocoque. The aluminium panels, when riveted and glued supported and strengthened each other and there was only a very small amout of box section in it!
Unfortunately it never made it to production, or i would have been tempted to buy one!
This is the only pic of it i can actually find.
Thank you, I had not seen this car before. I do have a memory of reading that Rood Hood planed a car like this, but never know they had build one. Looking at the photo, I think this was a test car, in need of tidying. I'm not certain about the front wing wheel arches. Would cycle wing have looked better? As for the way the lights are mounted, an after thought? That looks like a very big chunk of metal to hold a light. I did note the price on its nose. I spoke to Robin Hood about it and apparently they classed it as an aluminium monocoque. The aluminium panels, when riveted and glued supported and strengthened each other and there was only a very small amout of box section in it!
Unfortunately it never made it to production, or i would have been tempted to buy one!
This is the only pic of it i can actually find.
A two seater base on this could be a our low cost fun car.
Tandem or Side by side seating?
Another idea for the front of a three wheel that uses 1+1 seating (Tandem)...
This is the Yamaha OX99. Could this be used as the front? Personal think not, but what do you think?
slomax said:
Sounds good Stuart! Is it going to be in a similar vein to the White(?) tilting trike you made a few years back with the tilting pedals/switches? Or will it be fully automated with the steering?
Looking forward to this...
Well that one had a fairly complex tilt system that I patented but now I am a convert to reverse trikes. I will hopefully progress to a fully automated tilt system. I like the Liion concept tandem but am not keen on the Peugeot nose. I love the tilt canopy too. Great idea. All I need now is to get Italo excited enough to do a sketch for us all to see!Looking forward to this...
Wayhay!!!!!!!! Many thanks for stepping forward Italo.
Now then, that is an offer I cannot refuse.
2 front wheels.
1 rear.
1 seat as low as possible.
1 m front track width (tyre cetres).
2 m long, wheel base around 1.5 m
Canopy roof, hinged at the base of the screen.
Screen from a BMW scooter (sorry, I know this is limiting but is available)
Narrow wheels from a yam 125 bike.
Room around the front wheels for tilting up to 30 degrees.
Only one headlight required for MSVA on vehicles under 1300mm wide.
If 2 headlights are fitted min gap is 400mm and 400mm from edge of vehicle.
The above rule applies to trikes (not motor cycle type trikes) under 1300mm
Aerodynamic style.
Contemparary steamline, low, design.
Well you did offer!
WOW, I can't wait until next year already!
Now then, that is an offer I cannot refuse.
2 front wheels.
1 rear.
1 seat as low as possible.
1 m front track width (tyre cetres).
2 m long, wheel base around 1.5 m
Canopy roof, hinged at the base of the screen.
Screen from a BMW scooter (sorry, I know this is limiting but is available)
Narrow wheels from a yam 125 bike.
Room around the front wheels for tilting up to 30 degrees.
Only one headlight required for MSVA on vehicles under 1300mm wide.
If 2 headlights are fitted min gap is 400mm and 400mm from edge of vehicle.
The above rule applies to trikes (not motor cycle type trikes) under 1300mm
Aerodynamic style.
Contemparary steamline, low, design.
Well you did offer!
WOW, I can't wait until next year already!
Edited by Stuart Mills on Saturday 31st December 13:07
Edited by Stuart Mills on Saturday 31st December 13:17
Not sure how the geometry will work at the front but you may gain something from inboard dampers fitted to the same centre point. The tilt would then come from moving that point side to side.
The bit I can’t see round is finding a drive shaft CV joint with enough articulation to deal with the tilt angles.
Steve
The bit I can’t see round is finding a drive shaft CV joint with enough articulation to deal with the tilt angles.
Steve
I like the Liion design and think this BMW one is as good.Despite the BMW kidney grill I feel the front is more interesting and the lights blend into the rest in a very nice way. Making it look fast.I think it also tilts. For me personal I want two seats, as I would like somewhere to put people and things. I mean most motorbike are two seater. Well 1+1.
Personal I see these as motorbike for people who don't like motorbikes. Born again bikers would also be interested in these.
If the final car reflect these two designs it will look good. Reading back I have a question you make it clear this is intended to power by electric motor, yet say your not using a bike engine as it's enclosed, are you intending this to be a hybrid, or to have a range extending, top up motor? Which would be useful. I know personal I only go long distance (140miles) 5 or 6 times a years, still with a fun car like these I would want to drive them a lot! Not wait three of four hours to recharge them after a few hours use.
I also notice both these designs use hubless wheels. They also seem small to house motors, driver and battery packs, could there designer have indented them to use in wheel motor?
Does the Liion remind you of the Razor!
Edited by KDIcarmad on Saturday 31st December 14:58
Hi All,Cant see an introduction area so thought I would dive straight in!Im new to the forum,but not to modded cars and the like ,been building stuff for 40 odd years.Just scratch built a 2 rear wheel trike and MSVA'd it,now looking to plan a 2 front wheel 2 seater trike,but am stuck for cash.Have read this thread with great interest. Crazy I know but I really like the Velorex !not the blue one,but the brown fabric covered ones,as shown a few pages back. Always fancied a vintage type vehicle,not after speed,just plodding about really,so am thinking about doing one of those for fun,as it will be a lot cheaper,as I have most of the parts laying around here.My main stumbling point is the front suspension arrangement.Anyone know if there is anything other than the double wishbone set up that would work and maybe look in keeping with the style? A macpherson strut would be too bulky .
Edited by Rodeo on Sunday 1st January 16:03
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