[Edit] Things have changed... see more recent posts below[/Edit]


...and what I now want to base my DIY RT design on.

The Trirod -

http://www.trirodmotorcycles.com/

Check out a video of her in action here:

http://www.trirodmotorcycle...drenaline_video.html

[This message has been edited by OKflyboy (edited 04-14-2008).]

All yours for the low low price of about $55,000.

quote Originally posted by Taijiguy: All yours for the low low price of about $55,000.

Agreed, the price is unbelievably steep, but I don't want to buy one, I want to build my own.

screw the trike...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qe_mS_ucYCM

They don't show you much in the high-speed twistees for a reason.
That backend breaks out too easy.
Without leaning, the front has to much grip for the rearend.

I'm just guessing, of coarse.

I'm sure it's a great fun ride, just not the "cornering racecar" they are portraying.

That plus others can be found at http://reversetrike.com/ready-to-ride.html

I like the Triking

[This message has been edited by Gokart Mozart (edited 03-20-2008).]

OK. So I've found the platform and have the idea in my head for modification.

The basic design will be lifted from a "SportCycle" seen below but honestly, the awkward looking body on these things just ruins it for me:


but if we take a look at one without its "skin", you can see the potential. Hell, I think this one looks flat-out SEXY just like that, (kinda reminds me of the Ariel Atom) why ruin it with a stupid looking body? But hey, that's just me...


ANYWAY, You can see at this incomplete stage its RIPE for the modifications I have in mind:



- don't bother with a floorboard
- create a mount for a chopper-style saddle (obviously higher off the ground then where the Sportcycle designer intended, probably about as high as where the higher square tubing sits in the above pic)
- Raise the steering column height, axe the steering wheel and fit with handle bars
- don't bother with an automotive 3-pedal system, keep the bike controls

[This message has been edited by OKflyboy (edited 03-21-2008).]

what are the respective merits of the two wheels in front vs in back? i have a little project in mind for 3-4-5 years down the line, and it may move in the trike direction for simplicity's and lightness' sake, but not if it means sacrificing stability or control.

quote Originally posted by lurker: what are the respective merits of the two wheels in front vs in back? i have a little project in mind for 3-4-5 years down the line, and it may move in the trike direction for simplicity's and lightness' sake, but not if it means sacrificing stability or control.

If you've got some time to read, here's a great article about 3-wheeled vehicle handling characteristics:

http://www.rqriley.com/3-wheel.htm

quote Originally posted by OKflyboy: If you've got some time to read, here's a great article about 3-wheeled vehicle handling characteristics: http://www.rqriley.com/3-wheel.htm

thanks, i'll give it a look-see

I still dont see why people build the reverse trikes... they are kind of cool, but I would think 4 wheels would be better for handling... unless it is still like a bike and you can still lean in turns...

I'd rather build something with 4 wheels and a cage myself, kind of how they build a dune buggy... but for on-road instead (go-kart on steriods)

quote Originally posted by AJ7: I still dont see why people build the reverse trikes... they are kind of cool, but I would think 4 wheels would be better for handling... unless it is still like a bike and you can still lean in turns... I'd rather build something with 4 wheels and a cage myself, kind of how they build a dune buggy... but for on-road instead (go-kart on steriods)

There's several reasons to build a RT vs. a four wheeled car.

1) A properly designed Reverse Trike will OUTHANDLE just about anything on the road.

Read the link I provided lurker about 3-wheeled handling.

http://www.rqriley.com/3-wheel.htm

2) Most RTs keeps the motorcycle almost intact. This means you have the motor, transmission, fuel tank, all electronics (blinkers, etc), drivewheel, all ready in a neat little package.

3) A RT can keep the motorcycle registration. SCV (Specially Constructed Vehicle) tags are a b?tch to get, and the vehicles themselves are a b?tch to insure once you get the tag.

4) They're a relatively small investment. Most of the RTs I've seen and wanted were built with less than $10K

5) They're just plain radical looking, and many people (myself included) like the weird looking stuff.

[This message has been edited by OKflyboy (edited 03-21-2008).]

http://www.mride.se/Mride_t42home1.html

The T42 turbo trike design. It is a trike based on a suzuki GSX-R 1000 -01 motorcycle that I have built a turbokit to. The engine power is 280hp, and it weighs 460kg = 600hp/tone!! Type of vehicle: Threewheeled motorcycle with body. Engine: Suzuki GSX-R 1000 -01 TURBO. Dimentions: Total length: 445cm. Weight: 460kg with fuel and no driver. Total width: 217cm. Wheelbase: 312cm. Hight: 110cm. Engine power: 280bhp, ~190nm. Front Suspension: Öhlins shockabsorbers, Pushrod. RC: at 100mm. = 25% antiroll. Rear Suspension: Rebuilt Suzuki absorber. Turnradius: 13,7m. Steering: 1,9 turns (side-side). Maximal lateral acc: 1,55G (before tipping over). Passengers: 2. Performance: 25km/h - 200km/h= 9sek.(driver + passenger and wheelspin to 180km/h ). Topspeed: 300km/h. Seats: TILLETT racing T250 seats. Airodynamics: AirForce racing rear wing- Gives upto 186kg DF (down force) at 300km/h.

2003 Car and Driver article about the Sportcycle (back when they were selling kits, and calling it the Indycycle. Now they sell plans and a few parts, but no longer kits.)

http://www.sportcycle.info/...river_april_2003.pdf

If you really want the ability to turn fast, You'd get more bracing with the sit in kind vs the bike type. You would have to do alot of counterbalancing to physically turn the Trirod, especially thru multiple twisties, at over 1g.

I think I'd have to drive one before I believed the handling.... just doesnt seem like it would handle that well having all the support up front for turning.. now if it were to lean into the turn that would be different.

quote Originally posted by Gokart Mozart: If you really want the ability to turn fast, You'd get more bracing with the sit in kind vs the bike type. You would have to do alot of counterbalancing to physically turn the Trirod, especially thru multiple twisties, at over 1g.

That's very true, and something I had been pondering myself. I'm thinking with a Chopper-modified Sportcycle high-G cornering wouldn't be as much of a concern. Granted I would still want something that's not going to tip over at the drop of the hat... Another thing I've learned after studying the Sportcycle over the past couple of days is that the Sportcycle is a very well thought out vehicle. The designer, Jim Musser, didn't just weld some stuff together and call it a trike. I'm wondering about the viability of modifying this design to suit my purposes after all. What I've found is that I really like my design idea but I also really like the Sportcycle. I''m going to go forward but if in my calculations I cannot make the Chopper-mods the way I had intended I will probably just go ahead and make a Sportcycle (minus the stupid looking body...)

[This message has been edited by OKflyboy (edited 03-22-2008).]

I still prefer this one.
http://www.t-rexvehicles.com/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38TFetQAe2o

[This message has been edited by avengador1 (edited 03-22-2008).]

quote Originally posted by avengador1: I still prefer this one. http://www.t-rexvehicles.com/ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38TFetQAe2o

Heck yeah!

A T-Rex started it all for me. Saw a T-Rex once a few years back, said "What the hell was THAT?" Went home, googled, found out about RTs, and have been hooked since.

[This message has been edited by OKflyboy (edited 03-22-2008).]

If you didn't live in the middle of OK I'd say go for a test ride on a Can Am Spyder but the closest dealer is in CO. Do you plan on coming to the 25th show?

quote Originally posted by Gokart Mozart: If you didn't live in the middle of OK I'd say go for a test ride on a Can Am Spyder but the closest dealer is in CO. Do you plan on coming to the 25th show?

Unfortunately no on the 25th. I love the Spyder too, but again, not what I want (sensing a theme? LOL)

quote Originally posted by OKflyboy: So there's more to it then putting a couple of wheels in front of a motorcycle, or putting a "trike kit" (turns the single rear wheel into two) on a Goldwing and expecting it to react the same is if it was still a motorcycle. There's a lot of planning that goes into properly designing a RT.

Wish I could quote your whole post.
With the engine hanging in front, the wheelbase won't have to be long. Also the weight is more by the side by side wheels. When the trike has seating for 2, the width of the wheels is normally wider. FWD does have problems but with what we know about it, it might be a more understanding and forgiving powerdrive.

quote Originally posted by Gokart Mozart: Wish I could quote your whole post. With the engine hanging in front, the wheelbase won't have to be long. Also the weight is more by the side by side wheels. When the trike has seating for 2, the width of the wheels is normally wider. FWD does have problems but with what we know about it, it might be a more understanding and forgiving powerdrive.

Oh, I'm not disputing the benefits as much as the styling, superficial though it may sound, I just don't really like the way they look... That and the mechanical aspect, I like the idea of being able to leave to motorcycle chassis intact, and the extent of the fabrication being lengthening control cables and such...

Still on track.

Had Jury duty last week then lost my job Thursday so things are a bit hectic 'round these parts but I'm about ready to start to collecting parts and tools.

I have officially decided to bench my design changes and build the Sportcycle as designed (minus the silly looking body). I still think my ideas have merit, but I'd rather have a successful build under my belt before I start changing things.

Tool-wise, I need to buy a welder, drill press and chop saw.

Then I'm going to buy the needed steel plus a bit extra to play with. There's no welding classes available right now, but my brother's a decent welder and has convinced me that with his guidance I could pick up MIG quickly enough on my own and probably don't need a class.

There are several expensive parts needed, the steering knuckles are about $500 for the pair, the Wilwood brakes and hubs are about another $500 and of course there's the donor bike which will be a grand minimum so there's going to be a lot of saving between buying each of the major parts.

my "motivational" poster -

[This message has been edited by OKflyboy (edited 04-13-2008).]

what are you guys using to design? software? pen and paper? tape measure and hacksaw?

quote Originally posted by lurker: what are you guys using to design? software? pen and paper? tape measure and hacksaw?

The design was originally created by Jim Musser, a former GM engineer. Info about the Sportcycle can be found here:

http://sportcycle.info/introduction.htm

In 2003 Car and Driver wrote a review about the Sportcycle (back when they were selling kits, and calling it the Indycycle. Now they sell plans and a few parts, but no longer kits.)

http://www.caranddriver.com...es_indycycle_feature

Again, my first version will be different only in that it will have the fibergalss body eliminated (simply because I think it looks stupid). The second version? Don't know yet. The changes will definitely be on paper first, but I feel I need something tangible to put my hands (and a tape measure) on first before I'm ready to start putting it on paper. Not to mention I may build the first one and love it so much that I don't want to change it...

[This message has been edited by OKflyboy (edited 04-13-2008).]

Save on the bike, get this: http://tulsa.craigslist.org/mcy/640170399.html You can sell the parts not needed and get your money back.

[This message has been edited by Gokart Mozart (edited 04-14-2008).]

You can say what you like, and choose to believe whatever you like, it's your hind-end.

That kind of tail-dragger configuration is inherintly unstable.

Ever hear of a ground loop?

They are wicked when they happen at 30mph.

Go out to any airport and see if you can pay somebody to take you on a few groundloops in a taildragger. I'll pay for your ride, if you can get one.

David Breeze

------------------

Pantera Rebody Kits

quote Originally posted by opm2000: You can say what you like, and choose to believe whatever you like, it's your hind-end. That kind of tail-dragger configuration is inherintly unstable.

Ahh, but I don't need to "believe what I want", I have science to back me up...

My understanding of ground loops as they pertain to aircraft (having an electronics background I immediately thought of something else) is they occur when the center of gravity is placed too high and too far aft of the forward landing gear.

As I've already stated above, the key to keeping a reverse trike stable is to place the center of gravity as low and as close to the front wheels as possible. If this were to be ignored, then I suppose a "ground loop" would be possible. But then I thought I'd already mentioned that this particular RT had been designed with its CG such to avoid that situation.

[This message has been edited by OKflyboy (edited 04-14-2008).]

OKflyboy, are you still going to build this? Any updates?

quote Originally posted by RACE: OKflyboy, are you still going to build this? Any updates?

Thanks for reminding me! The loss of my previous job then a brief unemployment spell forced my money to other priorities. Back on track job-wise though. Still hoping to build soon.

[This message has been edited by OKflyboy (edited 07-21-2008).]

Why have 3 wheels when all you need is two.... side by side!

Check this out!
http://www.popsci.com/scite...e-wheeled-motorcycle

------------------
87 coupe resoration project.

I've been a long time fan of the T-Rex. Built in Quebec.

Check these stats. There is unlikely to ever be a Fiero to touch it, and precious few other vehicles on the public roads.

Arn

ZZR1200 Powered (2003-2006)

* Horsepower: 175 hp (130 kW) @ 10500 rpm
* Torque: 99 lb·ft (134 N·m) @ 7500 rpm
* Acceleration 0-60 mph: 4.1 seconds
* 1/4 Mile: 8.32 sec
* Top speed: 140 mph (230 km/h)
* Braking Distance 100 mph (200 km/h)-0: 305 feet (93 m)
* Chassis: Multi-tubular steel chassis frame.
* Body: Reinforced fiberglass plastic-sandwich construction, carbon fiber windscreens and headrests.
* Cockpit: Side-by-side 2-person seating, adjustable backs, adjustable foot-pedal box, 3-point retractable safety belts.
* Width: 78 in(1981 mm)
* Length: 138 in (3500 mm)
* Height: 42 in (1067 mm)
* Dry Weight: 900 lb (410 kg)
* Engine: Kawasaki 1164 cc inline 4 cylinder, DOHC
* Transmission: Sequential 6-Speed gearbox with reverse.
* Steering: Rack and pinion
* Front suspension: Unequal opposed triangular arms, adjustable dampers with coil overs, sway bar.
* Rear suspension: Swinging arm, dual adjustable dampers with coil overs.
* Front Wheels: 2003-2005: Aluminum 7 inch x 15 inch - 2006: Aluminum 7 inch x 16 inch
* Rear Wheel: 2003-2005: Aluminum 11 inch x 17 inch - 2006: Aluminum 10 inch x 17 inch
* Front Tires: 2003-2005: 195/50/ZR15 - 2006: 205/45/ZR16
* Rear Tire: 2003-2005: 315/35/ZR17 - 2006: 285/40/ZR17
* Front Brakes: 11 inch (280 mm) Cross-drilled discs, 4-piston aluminum calipers.
* Rear Brake: 10 inch (254 mm) Cross-drilled disc, 2-piston aluminum caliper.
* Lateral Acceleration: over 1 g (10 m/s²)

Some of those numbers might be right, but unless that isn't a stock t rex, and a new one at that, it should be running a 13.8 in the 1/4.

Any chance you got 1/8th mile time?

Don't mean this to be saying you are wrong, but the numbers didn't seam to work in my head.

Chris

*edit... i take that back... and.... D*MN!!!!... i didn't scroll far enough down on wikipedia

[This message has been edited by eph_kay (edited 07-21-2008).]

http://spyder.brp.com/