Narrow rear track classed as trike by DVLA ?

[Compo_Simmonite]

For years I've been dreaming / working on an idea for a one off microcar. I decided on using a quad as a basis and buying several to check out eventually settled on a Yamaha Breeze 125 as it ticks all the boxes - under 150cc so if three wheeler then lower road tax band, aircooled, CVT gearbox, reverse gear, swing arm and kingpin front suspension, cable operated brakes all round, chain drive, small wheel dia (8"), mono shock / swing arm rear, etc.
I've managed to get a second pair of front wheels and am considering having them all narrowed so standard 8" trailer tyres will fit. Engine has a blanking plug for where an optional hand pull starter fits and this will be adapted to provide a pulley that will work a cooling fan and maybe small additional alternator (adapted motorbike item)
I've been mentally debating what to do with the rear to convert to single wheel. Originally a motorbike swing arm and wheel was considered then I saw this -
http://www.qpod.co.uk/qpod-fun-runner.php
Two rear wheels close together yet classed as three wheeler ! There again my early 60's Isetta had twin rear wheels yet was registered as three wheeler - maybe in error. I also owned a Honda Stream trike. Rear wheels either side of engine like BSA Ariel 3 and registered as a two wheeled moped.

So getting back to the original description of this message anyone know anything futher about how you get a narrow rear track classed as trike by DVLA ?

Thanks.

paul h

[TheLastPost]

Compo_Simmonite said:

...anyone know anything futher about how you get a narrow rear track classed as trike by DVLA ?

You don't need to under current regulations. You would instead get the vehicle classified as a 'Light Quadricycle' or 'Heavy Quadricyle', under the Motorcyle SVA regs.

Light quadricycle is defined as a quad with a maximum design speed of 28mph, max. 50cc if spark ignition engine or 4kW maximum power for other engine types, maximum weight (excluding traction batteries, for electric vehicles) of 350kg and goods payload not exceeding 200 kilos, if it's designed to carry goods.

Heavy quadricycle is defined as more than 50cc if internal combustion engine and/or more than 28mph design speed, maximum engine power of 15kW (about 22bhp, IIRC), max. weight of 400kg (or 550kg for goods vehicles, excluding traction batteries in either case), payload not more than 1000kg, if it's designed to carry goods.

You need to download a copy of the Motorcycle SVA manual, if you haven't already done so - it's available free of charge on the gubberment's website.

ETA:

EU Directive 2002/24/EC includes a definition for 'paired' wheels as follows:

the EU directive said:

"twinned wheels" means two wheels mounted on the same axle, the distance between the centres of their areas of contact with the ground being less than 460 mm. Twinned wheels shall be considered as one wheel.

If you want to overcome the 15kW limit for heavy quadricyles, you might have a fight on your hands, though, as it's not accommodated within the wording of the motorcycle SVA. You would have to try to convince the SVA examiner that the design is acceptable because it's still within the scope of the definition given in the overarching EU directive.

Their counter argument might be that there are plenty of things that fall withing the scope of EU type approval directives that are omitted from the much simplified SVA/IVA system, but if you want to take advantage of them, you need to go through the full type approval process.

Possibly try to get it agreed in writing with the DoT/VOSA, before embarking on the design?


(EFA as strikeout text.)

Edited by TheLastPost on Monday 11th March 12:36

[Compo_Simmonite]

Thanks.

I have no problem registering as a quadricycle as I've had a road legal one before. Thing is road tax for a a quad is £125 pa, no matter if 50cc or 500cc, whereas a sub 150cc tricycle is only £16 pa. Also the quad has no diff and as such is horrible to drive on the road when making a turn. A three wheeler, or narrow tracked four wheeler, has none of that problem.
I've emailed VOSA, refering them to the Secma, and asking which regulation, rule, law etc allows a narrow rear tracked vehicle to be classified as a trike

Paul H

[TheLastPost]

Compo_Simmonite said:

...asking which regulation, rule, law etc allows a narrow rear tracked vehicle to be classified as a trike

Actually, I've just re-read the Motorcyle SVA manual more thoroughly and tucked away in the glossary at the end, there is a revision dated June 2010 that adds the definition for 'twinned wheels' that I quoted above - so if the contact patches are less than 460mm centre-to-centre, you should be OK even under SVA.

[Compo_Simmonite]

TheLastPost said:

Actually, I've just re-read the Motorcyle SVA manual more thoroughly and tucked away in the glossary at the end, there is a revision dated June 2010 that adds the definition for 'twinned wheels' that I quoted above - so if the contact patches are less than 460mm centre-to-centre, you should be OK even under SVA.

Brilliant.

Thanks for that.

Paul h

[Compo_Simmonite]

My Yamaha Breeze is 1996 and according to DVLA (after a visit to the local office) exempt from MSVA due to age as long as I can get dating confirmation from manufacturer or recognised club etc. It'd be a case of filling out the first registration form, obtaining MOT, insurance and age confirmation to register. Then, once correctly registered, I will adapt it to be a microcar. The frame will be left 100% original. Of course I was going to work within MSVA rules so had already downloads a copy of the manual from a web site. Unfortunatley it's an old copy and doesn't include the later amendments. Good job I didn't print it all out thus wasting half a pack of paper and an ink cartridge ! Now got a current copy from the UK Gov web site.

Paul H