Three Wheelers - Your opinions and expertise wanted!
Discussion
The new Morgan testing...a little dissapointed by the engine sound...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7duzKV9VS8w&fea...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8i_-INnFmrM&NR=...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aeAtnKY8Y7c&fea...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7duzKV9VS8w&fea...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8i_-INnFmrM&NR=...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aeAtnKY8Y7c&fea...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1K1ALSwkLI&fea...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9ZCVhSgAw4&fea...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yB3JDYIw8iQ&fea...
Presentation at Geneva of the Morgan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9ZCVhSgAw4&fea...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yB3JDYIw8iQ&fea...
Presentation at Geneva of the Morgan
Edited by fuoriserie on Thursday 26th May 17:27
Dave, we must stop meeting like this!
This thread shows that there is still a lot of interest in 3 wheelers. I probably learned more about driving from my Berkeley than any other car I've owned since. A lesson Jeremy Clarkson and Co have yet to learn is that it's perfectly possible to get a real buzz from driving underpowered cars as long as the vehicle provides plenty of other sensations apart from sheer top speed. A sense of impending doom for one! (and the Berkeley certainly provided that).
Jeff
This thread shows that there is still a lot of interest in 3 wheelers. I probably learned more about driving from my Berkeley than any other car I've owned since. A lesson Jeremy Clarkson and Co have yet to learn is that it's perfectly possible to get a real buzz from driving underpowered cars as long as the vehicle provides plenty of other sensations apart from sheer top speed. A sense of impending doom for one! (and the Berkeley certainly provided that).
Jeff
JeffreyB said:
Dave, we must stop meeting like this!
This thread shows that there is still a lot of interest in 3 wheelers. I probably learned more about driving from my Berkeley than any other car I've owned since. A lesson Jeremy Clarkson and Co have yet to learn is that it's perfectly possible to get a real buzz from driving underpowered cars as long as the vehicle provides plenty of other sensations apart from sheer top speed. A sense of impending doom for one! (and the Berkeley certainly provided that).
Jeff
For impending doom try driving an Isetta Bubble car at speed.This thread shows that there is still a lot of interest in 3 wheelers. I probably learned more about driving from my Berkeley than any other car I've owned since. A lesson Jeremy Clarkson and Co have yet to learn is that it's perfectly possible to get a real buzz from driving underpowered cars as long as the vehicle provides plenty of other sensations apart from sheer top speed. A sense of impending doom for one! (and the Berkeley certainly provided that).
Jeff
Steve
Steve_D said:
JeffreyB said:
Dave, we must stop meeting like this!
This thread shows that there is still a lot of interest in 3 wheelers. I probably learned more about driving from my Berkeley than any other car I've owned since. A lesson Jeremy Clarkson and Co have yet to learn is that it's perfectly possible to get a real buzz from driving underpowered cars as long as the vehicle provides plenty of other sensations apart from sheer top speed. A sense of impending doom for one! (and the Berkeley certainly provided that).
Jeff
For impending doom try driving an Isetta Bubble car at speed.This thread shows that there is still a lot of interest in 3 wheelers. I probably learned more about driving from my Berkeley than any other car I've owned since. A lesson Jeremy Clarkson and Co have yet to learn is that it's perfectly possible to get a real buzz from driving underpowered cars as long as the vehicle provides plenty of other sensations apart from sheer top speed. A sense of impending doom for one! (and the Berkeley certainly provided that).
Jeff
Steve
dave de roxby said:
Steve_D said:
JeffreyB said:
Dave, we must stop meeting like this!
This thread shows that there is still a lot of interest in 3 wheelers. I probably learned more about driving from my Berkeley than any other car I've owned since. A lesson Jeremy Clarkson and Co have yet to learn is that it's perfectly possible to get a real buzz from driving underpowered cars as long as the vehicle provides plenty of other sensations apart from sheer top speed. A sense of impending doom for one! (and the Berkeley certainly provided that).
Jeff
For impending doom try driving an Isetta Bubble car at speed.This thread shows that there is still a lot of interest in 3 wheelers. I probably learned more about driving from my Berkeley than any other car I've owned since. A lesson Jeremy Clarkson and Co have yet to learn is that it's perfectly possible to get a real buzz from driving underpowered cars as long as the vehicle provides plenty of other sensations apart from sheer top speed. A sense of impending doom for one! (and the Berkeley certainly provided that).
Jeff
Steve
In doing so it crushed one of the headlight housings which stick out the side not unlike a Kitcar headlight. As a 16YO money was tight and replacements were not readily available so I went to a breakers and was directed to a pile of lights and other electrical bits. After much rummaging I found a pair of huge chrome Austin lights complete with all the mounting hardware.
The process was you took your parts to the kitchen door of the house and the rotund lady gave you a price. She took one of the lights (I had carefully covered in mud to devalue) and proceeded to dismantle it. She scratched the inside of the housing and pronounced ‘They’re all brass I’ll ‘ave to charge you 10/6’ (52P). Never has money left my pocket faster.
With those on the car I think I may have invented ‘Bling’.
A further note on this episode. In turning onto its roof fuel escaped from the tank before we could right the car. I went back past the spot later in the day and a small child was building sand castles in the now soft tarmac and was covered head to foot…..I didn’t stop.
Steve
Steve_D said:
I too rolled my Isetta.
In doing so it crushed one of the headlight housings which stick out the side not unlike a Kitcar headlight. As a 16YO money was tight and replacements were not readily available so I went to a breakers and was directed to a pile of lights and other electrical bits. After much rummaging I found a pair of huge chrome Austin lights complete with all the mounting hardware.
The process was you took your parts to the kitchen door of the house and the rotund lady gave you a price. She took one of the lights (I had carefully covered in mud to devalue) and proceeded to dismantle it. She scratched the inside of the housing and pronounced ‘They’re all brass I’ll ‘ave to charge you 10/6’ (52P). Never has money left my pocket faster.
With those on the car I think I may have invented ‘Bling’.
A further note on this episode. In turning onto its roof fuel escaped from the tank before we could right the car. I went back past the spot later in the day and a small child was building sand castles in the now soft tarmac and was covered head to foot…..I didn’t stop.
Steve
Great story In doing so it crushed one of the headlight housings which stick out the side not unlike a Kitcar headlight. As a 16YO money was tight and replacements were not readily available so I went to a breakers and was directed to a pile of lights and other electrical bits. After much rummaging I found a pair of huge chrome Austin lights complete with all the mounting hardware.
The process was you took your parts to the kitchen door of the house and the rotund lady gave you a price. She took one of the lights (I had carefully covered in mud to devalue) and proceeded to dismantle it. She scratched the inside of the housing and pronounced ‘They’re all brass I’ll ‘ave to charge you 10/6’ (52P). Never has money left my pocket faster.
With those on the car I think I may have invented ‘Bling’.
A further note on this episode. In turning onto its roof fuel escaped from the tank before we could right the car. I went back past the spot later in the day and a small child was building sand castles in the now soft tarmac and was covered head to foot…..I didn’t stop.
Steve
You dont have any old pics floating around of the tricked up Isetta do you?
Hi All,
I personally think 3 wheelers have great possibilities for all sorts of reasons.
My preferences for the layout etc are represented by the choices made in my own design - http://ozht.com/trike/index.html
In Australia a trike is the only way to get a motorcycle engined vehicle (other than a bike of course) onto a public road (well legally anyway!).
The rules in general for a scratch built trike are such that it isn't a diabolical impossibilty to get it registered.
A car of your own design is going to be expensive and quite possibly impossible to get on the road. With a bike engine for power it is impossible.
3 wheels themselves when done right I think can handle very well indeed. Low, light and wide is the key. Oh and 2 wheels at the front I'm sure makes most sense.
Traction at the rear maybe an issue but a trackday style soft tyre should help.
Cost is also an advantage over 4 wheels as the power train is dead simple. No expensive transaxles, LSDs, custom propshafts etc.
The hassles/issues as I see them are, reverse gear, hand brake (not a biggy), and rear wheel traction.
Avoiding pot holes is also probably a bit of a driving issue.
Fun factor though is through the roof. Light and chuckable with a smooth ride and handy acceleration at sane speeds.
In Aus sane speeds is all we are allowed so to my mind a small light fun chuck around type vehicle makes huge sense compared with some kind of overpriced autobahn burner upperer.
Regards, Andrew.
I personally think 3 wheelers have great possibilities for all sorts of reasons.
My preferences for the layout etc are represented by the choices made in my own design - http://ozht.com/trike/index.html
In Australia a trike is the only way to get a motorcycle engined vehicle (other than a bike of course) onto a public road (well legally anyway!).
The rules in general for a scratch built trike are such that it isn't a diabolical impossibilty to get it registered.
A car of your own design is going to be expensive and quite possibly impossible to get on the road. With a bike engine for power it is impossible.
3 wheels themselves when done right I think can handle very well indeed. Low, light and wide is the key. Oh and 2 wheels at the front I'm sure makes most sense.
Traction at the rear maybe an issue but a trackday style soft tyre should help.
Cost is also an advantage over 4 wheels as the power train is dead simple. No expensive transaxles, LSDs, custom propshafts etc.
The hassles/issues as I see them are, reverse gear, hand brake (not a biggy), and rear wheel traction.
Avoiding pot holes is also probably a bit of a driving issue.
Fun factor though is through the roof. Light and chuckable with a smooth ride and handy acceleration at sane speeds.
In Aus sane speeds is all we are allowed so to my mind a small light fun chuck around type vehicle makes huge sense compared with some kind of overpriced autobahn burner upperer.
Regards, Andrew.
TriPod1 said:
Hi All,
I personally think 3 wheelers have great possibilities for all sorts of reasons.
My preferences for the layout etc are represented by the choices made in my own design - http://ozht.com/trike/index.html
In Australia a trike is the only way to get a motorcycle engined vehicle (other than a bike of course) onto a public road (well legally anyway!).
The rules in general for a scratch built trike are such that it isn't a diabolical impossibilty to get it registered.
A car of your own design is going to be expensive and quite possibly impossible to get on the road. With a bike engine for power it is impossible.
3 wheels themselves when done right I think can handle very well indeed. Low, light and wide is the key. Oh and 2 wheels at the front I'm sure makes most sense.
Traction at the rear maybe an issue but a trackday style soft tyre should help.
Cost is also an advantage over 4 wheels as the power train is dead simple. No expensive transaxles, LSDs, custom propshafts etc.
The hassles/issues as I see them are, reverse gear, hand brake (not a biggy), and rear wheel traction.
Avoiding pot holes is also probably a bit of a driving issue.
Fun factor though is through the roof. Light and chuckable with a smooth ride and handy acceleration at sane speeds.
In Aus sane speeds is all we are allowed so to my mind a small light fun chuck around type vehicle makes huge sense compared with some kind of overpriced autobahn burner upperer.
Regards, Andrew.
Hi Andrew,I personally think 3 wheelers have great possibilities for all sorts of reasons.
My preferences for the layout etc are represented by the choices made in my own design - http://ozht.com/trike/index.html
In Australia a trike is the only way to get a motorcycle engined vehicle (other than a bike of course) onto a public road (well legally anyway!).
The rules in general for a scratch built trike are such that it isn't a diabolical impossibilty to get it registered.
A car of your own design is going to be expensive and quite possibly impossible to get on the road. With a bike engine for power it is impossible.
3 wheels themselves when done right I think can handle very well indeed. Low, light and wide is the key. Oh and 2 wheels at the front I'm sure makes most sense.
Traction at the rear maybe an issue but a trackday style soft tyre should help.
Cost is also an advantage over 4 wheels as the power train is dead simple. No expensive transaxles, LSDs, custom propshafts etc.
The hassles/issues as I see them are, reverse gear, hand brake (not a biggy), and rear wheel traction.
Avoiding pot holes is also probably a bit of a driving issue.
Fun factor though is through the roof. Light and chuckable with a smooth ride and handy acceleration at sane speeds.
In Aus sane speeds is all we are allowed so to my mind a small light fun chuck around type vehicle makes huge sense compared with some kind of overpriced autobahn burner upperer.
Regards, Andrew.
A fantastic effort and a great site. It appears the rules for car construction in Aus are real tight. But often, as in formula racing, tight rules sometimes bring out the best in us. I do hope all your mechanical efforts can be clothed in the sexy bodywork this trike deserves.
Well done and please keep us informed!
Dave,
The rules in Oz are not so much tight as confusing and contradictory. Even for the engineers signing them off. But not in all states. There are bike engined cars on the road but those days are over pretty much. At least in NSW.
Nice trike up above. Have followed your progress for some time now.
Cheers
Damo
The rules in Oz are not so much tight as confusing and contradictory. Even for the engineers signing them off. But not in all states. There are bike engined cars on the road but those days are over pretty much. At least in NSW.
Nice trike up above. Have followed your progress for some time now.
Cheers
Damo
TriPod1 said:
Hi All,
I personally think 3 wheelers have great possibilities for all sorts of reasons.
My preferences for the layout etc are represented by the choices made in my own design - http://ozht.com/trike/index.html
In Australia a trike is the only way to get a motorcycle engined vehicle (other than a bike of course) onto a public road (well legally anyway!).
The rules in general for a scratch built trike are such that it isn't a diabolical impossibilty to get it registered.
A car of your own design is going to be expensive and quite possibly impossible to get on the road. With a bike engine for power it is impossible.
3 wheels themselves when done right I think can handle very well indeed. Low, light and wide is the key. Oh and 2 wheels at the front I'm sure makes most sense.
Traction at the rear maybe an issue but a trackday style soft tyre should help.
Cost is also an advantage over 4 wheels as the power train is dead simple. No expensive transaxles, LSDs, custom propshafts etc.
The hassles/issues as I see them are, reverse gear, hand brake (not a biggy), and rear wheel traction.
Avoiding pot holes is also probably a bit of a driving issue.
Fun factor though is through the roof. Light and chuckable with a smooth ride and handy acceleration at sane speeds.
In Aus sane speeds is all we are allowed so to my mind a small light fun chuck around type vehicle makes huge sense compared with some kind of overpriced autobahn burner upperer.
Regards, Andrew.
Hi Andrew, there is another bloke in melbourne who has done almost the exact same thing with a 1400cc yamaha engine - his name is Allan, i dont have contact details for him but he attends the victorian clubman builders events and is on the oz clubbies forum under the name of allanstrike or something like that.I personally think 3 wheelers have great possibilities for all sorts of reasons.
My preferences for the layout etc are represented by the choices made in my own design - http://ozht.com/trike/index.html
In Australia a trike is the only way to get a motorcycle engined vehicle (other than a bike of course) onto a public road (well legally anyway!).
The rules in general for a scratch built trike are such that it isn't a diabolical impossibilty to get it registered.
A car of your own design is going to be expensive and quite possibly impossible to get on the road. With a bike engine for power it is impossible.
3 wheels themselves when done right I think can handle very well indeed. Low, light and wide is the key. Oh and 2 wheels at the front I'm sure makes most sense.
Traction at the rear maybe an issue but a trackday style soft tyre should help.
Cost is also an advantage over 4 wheels as the power train is dead simple. No expensive transaxles, LSDs, custom propshafts etc.
The hassles/issues as I see them are, reverse gear, hand brake (not a biggy), and rear wheel traction.
Avoiding pot holes is also probably a bit of a driving issue.
Fun factor though is through the roof. Light and chuckable with a smooth ride and handy acceleration at sane speeds.
In Aus sane speeds is all we are allowed so to my mind a small light fun chuck around type vehicle makes huge sense compared with some kind of overpriced autobahn burner upperer.
Regards, Andrew.
His trike goes verry hard, as most of the weight is in front of the bike engine there is less chance of doing a monno as it would on the bike so it either hooks up and takes of like a rocket or gets wheel spin. He is using a bike engine that has a prop shaft drive in it, and has connected a couple of gears from a quick change lathe gearbox onto the output shaft, he then drives through these gears with a starter motor of a subaru to get reverse. he has utilised the whole of the bike frame and suspension in the back. Even still has the hard panniers on it.
Ryan
Edited by ezakimak on Friday 8th July 07:18
Still have a strong interest in a 3 wheeler, and looking for something similar to the T-Rex.
Currently road testing a Qpod Funtech, which is a moped powered microcar, for my son when he turns 16. It is actually a 5 wheeler, as it has two "out-riders" either side of the back wheel to help stability, as it is quite tall. It does give some traction control, as when you get it onto the 2 side wheels you bleed off the power.
Currently road testing a Qpod Funtech, which is a moped powered microcar, for my son when he turns 16. It is actually a 5 wheeler, as it has two "out-riders" either side of the back wheel to help stability, as it is quite tall. It does give some traction control, as when you get it onto the 2 side wheels you bleed off the power.
Me again.
Yes Ezakimak mine rips off the line. Feels stronger than the bike in some ways even though its carrying around another 60 - 80 kgs
No doubt just being able to jump on the gas rather than trying to avoid looping out has something to do with it.
I must look up alans trike. Good to hear there is someone else as silly as me.
Huge fun.
I will time the thing once I have it driving again with my GPS logging thingy (Racechrono). Gut feel suggests 0 - 100 in less than 5seconds.
Pulled the front mould parts of my nosecone plug today and it looks good so a quarter of the way there with the bodywork.
Its good to be back on the project. I'm keen to get a lot done before no doubt business will get in the way again.
Andrew.
Yes Ezakimak mine rips off the line. Feels stronger than the bike in some ways even though its carrying around another 60 - 80 kgs
No doubt just being able to jump on the gas rather than trying to avoid looping out has something to do with it.
I must look up alans trike. Good to hear there is someone else as silly as me.
Huge fun.
I will time the thing once I have it driving again with my GPS logging thingy (Racechrono). Gut feel suggests 0 - 100 in less than 5seconds.
Pulled the front mould parts of my nosecone plug today and it looks good so a quarter of the way there with the bodywork.
Its good to be back on the project. I'm keen to get a lot done before no doubt business will get in the way again.
Andrew.
dave de roxby said:
mikeveal said:
Dave,
Have you looked at the French marque Secma? I think they are imported to the UK under the Qpod brand. The Fun Runner is almost a trike - with a full windscreen, heater and wipers. May give you some ideas.
Ta Mike! All ideas gratefully received and will be chewed upon.Have you looked at the French marque Secma? I think they are imported to the UK under the Qpod brand. The Fun Runner is almost a trike - with a full windscreen, heater and wipers. May give you some ideas.
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