carcentric
|
| posted on 24/8/03 at 06:38 PM |
|
|
Locost trike forum - is there one?
Is there a Locost trike forum? Google didn't find any.
I've seen Gibbs' page (Formula 1 trike), but I'd like some feedback from trike builders about this very Locost idea:
http://www.carcentric.com/SpitTrike.htm
M D "Doc" Nugent
http://www.carcentric.com
|
|
|
|
|
bob
|
| posted on 24/8/03 at 11:04 PM |
|
|
Good call.
I reckon this would be a popular forum,maybe chris might add it on here somewhere.
|
|
|
eddie
|
| posted on 24/8/03 at 11:13 PM |
|
|
cant wait to hear all those tales of robin reliants turned into the ultimate road machine
Please feel free in advance to: correct, update, ridicule or laugh and point at any comments made by myself in this post....
|
|
|
Spyderman
|
| posted on 24/8/03 at 11:19 PM |
|
|
It never ceases to amaze me that whatever there is out there to use, someone has to do the opposite.
There are guys trying to work out how to use bike engines in cars and converting the chain drive to propshaft. Then that site shows how you could
convert a car engine and prop shaft to drive a chain and motorbike rear wheel!
Why not just use a motorcyle rear end that is shaft driven?
Sheesh!
Terry
Spyderman
|
|
|
JoelP
|
| posted on 24/8/03 at 11:24 PM |
|
|
On a similar tack, i was at the coast today and saw an unbelieveably nice gold wing trike, look so cool i was nearly drooling. Really does take the
biscuit for style...
|
|
|
pbura
|
| posted on 24/8/03 at 11:29 PM |
|
|
I like your page, Doc, and the Morgan F pictures. How about that chain drive? Gives "rip you a new one" a totally unique meaning!
Not long ago, on another forum, a poster brought up the bike-engined Grinnall Scorpion as an inspiration:
http://www.grinnallcars.com/content/home/scorpion_III.html
Interesting idea.
|
|
|
carcentric
|
| posted on 25/8/03 at 12:04 AM |
|
|
Reply to Terry's question
I did look into shaft drive bikes' rear ends (that doesn't sound too proper), but there were three reasons to avoid them given the rest of
the Spitfire Trike project:
1) unlike a car's driveshaft (propshaft) that goes right down the center of the vehicle, a bike's driveshaft goes alongside the rear
wheel, so if the two driveshafts were put in line in a Spitfire, the bike's rear wheel would be off center,
2) most car driveshafts rotate counterclockwise when viewed from the rear axle, but most bike driveshafts rotate clockwise (net effect, four speeds
reverse and one speed forward), and
3) several bike guys cautioned me that bike shaft drive rear ends might not stand up to the forces generated by the mighty Triumph 1493cc engine - no,
actually it was the weight of my project (probably double what the bike it would be taken from weighed).
There's also the Locost Imperative: "If the donor car has one, use it."
Hence, Spitfire differential, Spitfire wheels, etc. I even think I might be able to fashion trailing arms out of frame extensions that the
'78-80 Spitfire had to tie in the rear bumper . . .
M D "Doc" Nugent
http://www.carcentric.com
|
|
|
Spyderman
|
| posted on 25/8/03 at 10:33 AM |
|
|
quote:
Originally posted by carcentric
I did look into shaft drive bikes' rear ends (that doesn't sound too proper), but there were three reasons to avoid them given the rest of
the Spitfire Trike project:
1) unlike a car's driveshaft (propshaft) that goes right down the center of the vehicle, a bike's driveshaft goes alongside the rear
wheel, so if the two driveshafts were put in line in a Spitfire, the bike's rear wheel would be off center,
2) most car driveshafts rotate counterclockwise when viewed from the rear axle, but most bike driveshafts rotate clockwise (net effect, four speeds
reverse and one speed forward), and
3) several bike guys cautioned me that bike shaft drive rear ends might not stand up to the forces generated by the mighty Triumph 1493cc engine - no,
actually it was the weight of my project (probably double what the bike it would be taken from weighed).
There's also the Locost Imperative: "If the donor car has one, use it."
Hence, Spitfire differential, Spitfire wheels, etc. I even think I might be able to fashion trailing arms out of frame extensions that the
'78-80 Spitfire had to tie in the rear bumper . . .
Hey, I'm not knocking!
I just find it amusing that you want to go in the opposite direction to everybody else.
But to counter your points;
1) You could always use UJ's to change path of propshaft. Would need bearings to support it admittedly.
2) There are motorcyles with shaft drive that rotate in the right direction. I have seen bikes with left hand and right hand shaft drive. I'm
pretty sure the Honda CX had right hand shaft drive. This would need to rotate counter clockwise.
3) I don't think the weight would be a major issue as the bikes in question were well able to tow a sidecar around with 2 passengers.
I like your design layout and how you've worked around the problems, but why stick with what you have when you could sel off the car and buy
more suitable components to fit around your desired end product. At best it will be a compromise and will excel at nothing that could not be made
easier with other components.
Gone are the days when you are limited to what you can use, so why not take advantage?
Just my thoughts!
Terry
ps, I also like three wheelers, especially as her indoors (correction; her out shopping) will not let me have another bike!
pps, I just noticed! Your wheelbase will be longer as the wheel will be behind differential and not along side it.
[Edited on 25/8/03 by Spyderman]
Spyderman
|
|
|
ChrisW
|
| posted on 25/8/03 at 12:25 PM |
|
|
Cast your votes! Shall I add a three wheeled forum? 
Chris
My gaff my rules
|
|
|
Alan B
|
| posted on 25/8/03 at 01:03 PM |
|
|
On balance I'd say yes.
My big concern though would be good posts about engines, transmissions, frames etc. being lost on there.
I'd ask everyone to think carefully before posting "Is this really just of interest to 3-wheelers, or could others benefit?"
|
|
|
ChrisW
|
| posted on 25/8/03 at 01:48 PM |
|
|
I've been hassling people about that quite a bit recently in the MK forum
Chris
My gaff my rules
|
|
|
Viper
|
| posted on 25/8/03 at 01:52 PM |
|
|
Should you have a 3 wheel forum then I guess a certain person will soon want a Non conformist, morgan lookalike forum
|
|
|
carcentric
|
 posted on 25/8/03 at 03:11 PM |
|
|
Thread-starter's view
As long as there are no objections to an occasional thread about Locost Trikes in the Locost Related area of this Forum, I think that would suffice.
If there get to be 4-5 active trike threads at any given time on a regular basis, it might make sense to segregate them then. Count that as one
contrarian vote against a new forum, I guess.
Now, for my periodic rejoinder to Terry:
quote:
Originally posted by Spyderman
Hey, I'm not knocking!
Didn't think you were - no offense taken.
quote:
But to counter your points; . . .
Agreed on all counterpoints - they all just add to the cost.
quote:
I like your design layout and how you've worked around the problems, but why stick with what you have when you could sel off the car and
buy more suitable components . . .
I only paid the US equivalent of GBP 50 for the Spitfire (the body and interior are pretty foul), so no way am I gonna get enough from selling it to
buy anything "more suitable."
quote:
Gone are the days when you are limited to what you can use, so why not take advantage?
Actually, HERE are the days when I'm limited to what I can use. I retired last year and am now living off a pension and savings. That adds to
the challenge considerably! Luckily, figuring out new ways to use old stuff is a lot more enjoyable than just paying for more stuff.
quote:
pps, I just noticed! Your wheelbase will be longer as the wheel will be behind differential and not along side it.
If you look at the Morgan side view (above the chain drive drawing), there's plenty of room between the seat and the rear wheel for a
differential, so, yes, the wheelbase would be ~17" longer than the Spitfire's stock 83" if I go that way. If I go the Roadstercycle
route, though, I'd shorten the frame and driveshaft (passenger would be sitting on a raised part of the bike seat over the differential - I hear
women like that).
All very stimulating feedback - I appreciate it! But do you realize I do most of my thinking and writing while you're ASLEEP?!!
M D "Doc" Nugent
http://www.carcentric.com
|
|
|
chrisg
|
| posted on 25/8/03 at 05:38 PM |
|
|
I like the idea of a three wheel forum
Cheers
Chris
Note to all: I really don't know when to leave well alone. I tried to get clever with the mods, then when they gave me a lifeline to see the
error of my ways, I tried to incite more trouble via u2u. So now I'm banned, never to return again. They should have done it years ago!
|
|
|
Viper
|
| posted on 25/8/03 at 05:41 PM |
|
|
quote:
Originally posted by chrisg
I like the idea of a three wheel forum
Cheers
Chris
so come on wheres the puch line?
|
|
|
bob
|
| posted on 25/8/03 at 05:56 PM |
|
|
I saw a trike last week that was built up from engine and running gear from mainly cars,rear axle from a cortina with an RV8 for power.
Handle bars and forks looked homemade,it was as locost as you could get i reckon.
There's a guy at Newlands Corner when we meet there with a Ford V6 for poer on his trike,car or trike building its all the same at the end.
I think it would be a good section and i'm interested in the lack of SVA
|
|
|
Peteff
|
| posted on 25/8/03 at 07:01 PM |
|
|
Lack of SVA.
How much longer will that last? There have been rumours of a trike SVA circulating for a couple of years now. Also is it correct that there is a
weight limit on trikes, something like 440kg, which I read somewhere after which it is classed as a car even if it only has three wheels. Perhaps
Lenny could sort us out, he seems up on these things.
yours, Pete.
P.S. If you read this Lenny, we are sorting my mate out with chair fitted to his Guzzi, gave up on the trike idea.
yours, Pete
I went into the RSPCA office the other day. It was so small you could hardly swing a cat in there.
|
|
|
Spyderman
|
| posted on 25/8/03 at 07:02 PM |
|
|
I'm all for a three wheel section!
"All very stimulating feedback - I appreciate it! But do you realize I do most of my thinking and writing while you're ASLEEP?!!
" carcentric.
I do most of my thinking whilst I'm asleep as well!
It's the only time I make sense!
I fancy doing a three wheel car, but it has to be economical, so would not want a car engine. A small bike engine upto about 600cc would be ideal.
Motorbikes and three wheelers are in the family blood. My Uncle was forever rolling over his Bond three wheelers (not the bond bug cheese wedge
things). He has corners named after him where he kept demolishing fences upside down!
[Edited on 25/8/03 by Spyderman]
Spyderman
|
|
|
Peteff
|
| posted on 25/8/03 at 07:15 PM |
|
|
My Uncle was forever rolling over his Bond three wheelers
My mate's dad had one of those. Two wheels at the front and one at rear, 250cc Villiers 2 stroke engine and a kick start under the bonnet, you
had to pick the back end up and carry it round to get back out of his drive as it had no reverse. You had to have a death wish to go out in that, it
wallowed worse than a hippo and steered about the same.
yours, Pete.
yours, Pete
I went into the RSPCA office the other day. It was so small you could hardly swing a cat in there.
|
|
|
Mark Allanson
|
| posted on 25/8/03 at 08:18 PM |
|
|
I was speaking to Richard Oakes the other day, his Avion 3 wheelers will have to have SVA tests very shortly, he has been redeveloping the car to take
acount of this.
|
|
|
Noodle
|
| posted on 25/8/03 at 08:28 PM |
|
|
I parked next to a Grinnal Scorpion at Shelsley Walsh hillclimb last weekend. Cracking looking motor. Kids were very impressed. Used the trailing arm
from the BMW bike donor it came from too.
Neil
|
|
|
ChrisW
|
| posted on 25/8/03 at 09:49 PM |
|
|
Those Scorpions are very sweet looking cars. Probably what made me aware of kit cars when my mate showed me a pic of one at college. Reckoned his
Dad was going to get one - dunno if he ever did tho!
Chris
My gaff my rules
|
|
|
stephen_gusterson
|
| posted on 25/8/03 at 10:25 PM |
|
|
is this one?
This was at Newark and looked quite nice.
 
Rescued attachment 3wd.jpg
|
|
|
carcentric
|
| posted on 25/8/03 at 11:42 PM |
|
|
What's that red and white job behind it? Some kind of repli-trike?
[Edited on 26/8/03 by carcentric]
M D "Doc" Nugent
http://www.carcentric.com
|
|
|
Rorty
|
| posted on 26/8/03 at 06:21 AM |
|
|
I'd be very keen to see a trike section here at Locost Builders, perhaps sub-divided into BETs and CETs, or shaft drive and chain drive.
I've actually started my bike-engined Tadpole, so I have a vested interest.
Cheers, Rorty.
"Faster than a speeding Pullet".
PLEASE DON'T U2U ME IF YOU WANT A QUICK RESPONSE. TRY EMAILING ME INSTEAD!
|
|
|
