M3-Rota (R1 powered Exo Trike) [Archive]

pook

09-13-2009, 08:42 AM

Hey guy's, My name is Danny (PooK). I frequent this forum often for idea's and love it!
I started this build about three months ago, it is Atom-ish and that was my inspiration.
I have gotten to the point I need to start on the body work so that mount tabs etc.. can be welded on before the powder coat.
I was hoping to get a little feedback on the looks (besides the fact its lacking a fourth wheel) or ideas that might help me, I lack artistic ability and figured since you guy's like the exo's you could help?
My thought was to show as much of the chassis as possible and still have some wind blockage but the look is odd.... I think??? should I stay with this or just try to expose parts of the chassis?
Thanks for any input.
PooK
http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x242/pook317/predxbod3001.jpg

Karlo

09-13-2009, 09:29 AM

Pook

Welcome

The exposed frame between the panels looks good IMO.

Is this a personal build? I think there might be market for an exo trike.

pook

09-13-2009, 10:09 AM

Thanks, It's a personal toy at this point, I wouldn't want to risk injury to anyone till I know how it will handle.
Besides I'm having a hard enough time funding this one let alone others...LOL!
I still keep wondering if I should keep the exposed front frame or lean towards the more commom (if there is such a thing in exo cars) nose cone over tube method?
Thanks for the input.
PooK

africanstyle

09-13-2009, 10:29 AM

I prefer the nose cone over. While I like the exo design, I much prefer a balance between bodywork and framework.

pook

09-13-2009, 12:57 PM

Thank you! I have cut so much foam the guy's at the hardware store are starting to ask questions....
I have one more question you guys that drive these type cars may be able to help with.
In the pic below I'm playing with a windscreen, I noticed some exo's with, some without, some with small humps instead?
From a drivers stand point what are the pros and conns? I want to feel open air-ish but dont like the flavor of the bugs here.:thumbdown2:
How high up should it be to give me some protection as we don't have helmet laws here.
and thanks again keep the comments coming!
PooK
http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x242/pook317/predxbod3002.jpg

Karlo

09-13-2009, 07:06 PM

If you like wearing a helmet skip "larger" wind screen. If no helmet get a size able wind screen to keep from beating you up.

Gage

09-13-2009, 08:03 PM

I think your car looks great. More power to you!

The bumps and gun sights, are all nearly useless. If you really want comfort..the wind shield should be no more then a few inches lower then the top of your head. Atom wind bubbles were useless because they were too short. Bugs are only an issue at certain times of the year or on long trips. I really didn't notice them most of the time.

Oh..and night driving can be a real pain.

africanstyle

09-14-2009, 09:02 AM

What kind of tire is that on the back? It looks MASSIVE.

pook

09-14-2009, 09:34 AM

15"x15" drag/street radial, It's not practical but very Batman-ish! seriously though it's a combo we had from another car that I am using for mock-up because it's not far from what will end up on it.
PooK

pook

09-18-2009, 07:17 PM

Here is a link to my photo bucket with build pics if anyone is interested, I dont want to clutter up your guy's space too much.
PooK
http://s186.photobucket.com/albums/x242/pook317/

Karlo

09-18-2009, 07:57 PM

Pook

In your photobucket album it shows another car like yours, what is the scoop on that one?

pook

09-18-2009, 08:40 PM

It's the first trike I built, I used a 4age Toyo motor.
It was used as a learning toy and was sold.
I had a bunch of requests to reproduce it but it was built as a one off experiment, this one I made a jig... just in case:thumb2:
PooK

Karlo

09-18-2009, 08:50 PM

I saw the Indy Cycle the other week and then your build showed up. Were you inspired by the Indy Cycle?

pook

09-19-2009, 08:31 AM

Yeah, I like the Indy Cycle, The VW, the Morgan, etc... but I think the T-rex was what got me going, I saw the episode on Top Gear and said I gotta have one of those (I can't ride a bike any more because of back surgeries). Then I saw the price tag:( I've been building Porsche cages and cars for racing for MANY years so I had the tools already, So...game on!
PooK

AZDave

09-19-2009, 12:13 PM

The top Gear episode definately sparked my intrest in a reverse trike as well, and have spent many hours on the T-Rex forums. My 2 issues with the car was definately the price, and I think the design is a bit dated. I really like the path you've taken. The design is fresh and has definately resparked my intrest in a reverse trike. Thumbs up to you :thumb2:
Great Job.

pook

09-19-2009, 02:07 PM

Thank you!!! It sure ought to freak-em-out on bike night at the local Hooters!
PooK

africanstyle

10-16-2009, 02:37 PM

One more thing PooK... What kind of rear suspension (if any) do you have. The [swing]arm looks fixed and I don't see and shock mounts? I'm just curious because I was looking at the MEV tR1ke and saw they had an uncomfortably small rear wheel.

pook

10-17-2009, 07:42 AM

It's a full swing arm with twin shocks, I've added about 4deg of anti squat also.
The rim width can be from 12 to 15 inch (I want as much rubber on the ground as I can)
I think the biggest mistake guys make is using a bike rear end that was never designed to take a twisting load.
PooK
http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x242/pook317/trikenewshock.png

apogee

10-19-2009, 04:09 PM

Marvellous build. Well done

pook

10-20-2009, 10:59 AM

Thank you very much!
I'm having a blast and I think that's what it's all about!
PooK

golftdibrad

10-20-2009, 02:32 PM

looks like its comming along great man, keep it up!

pook

10-29-2009, 08:53 PM

Ok, here is another "attempt" It's just the front upper section so far and only ruffed in to get an idea.....Worse? Better? start over? I hate this part...I would rather be welding!!!
Thanks
PooK

B-T

10-30-2009, 07:13 AM

I think this project looks awesome the way you have it! I would only really be concerned about busting up the lower front edge on driveway approaches. Is there some way to make a skid plate so that the body doesn't get damaged? I followed your previous trike on the locost forums. This one looks much more attractive to me. The first one was awesome, but I thought the front end was too large and took away from the good looks of the frame. This thing is the best looking reverse trike I have ever seen, good luck with it!
BT

pook

10-30-2009, 06:48 PM

Thanks, I agree about the first trike, the front dominated the design and I never did love it either...that's the main reason I sold it to tell the truth.
I guess that's why I'm having such a time with this one, I don't want to screw up.....again.
oh and yes, I will design a skid plate of some type, that's a good idea, THANKS!
PooK

africanstyle

10-30-2009, 09:08 PM

pook, I just wanted to express my personal opinion towards the design of a trike. I really think the more pointed nose compliments the design better. I mean if you look at the Campagna T-Rex the styling flows quite well. I know it's a personal choice but I feel that the wide splitter-like nose is a bit off-putting and slightly awkward. However, that is only my (VERY MINOR) opinion and I still your build looks fantastic and I also prefer the way you covered up the frame a bit more (again, just my opinion). I am looking forward to seeing this completed!

pook

10-31-2009, 07:11 PM

Thank you guys for the honest opinions, that's what I'm looking for!
The T-rex nose is the only part I dont like though, It reminds me of a snow mobile.
I think I'll try again with a blend of pointed and winged nose and see how that comes out...its only foam.
PooK

africanstyle

10-31-2009, 10:15 PM

haha I just realized how right you were about the snowmobile. Anyway there is one thing i realized about your trike; If you just see the front it kind of looks like a legit 4-wheeled racer, but then once your move to the back and see it's massive rear tire you know it's special.

pook

11-10-2009, 03:22 PM

wow! looks so much smaller off of the building table!
trying to get an eye for how it will look on the ground and sort out some kind of curb skid pan around the wing.
I also started on the scoops.
PooK

africanstyle

11-10-2009, 06:01 PM

Hope you don't live near a lot of speed bumps!

pook

11-10-2009, 06:15 PM

I'm starting at 3.5" front and just under 4" rear, If it proves to low I'll raise it.
PooK

chiodeguate

11-23-2009, 12:55 PM

http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x242/pook317/trikenewshock.png

Dear baby jesus...this is baaad.

pook

11-24-2009, 04:57 AM

Thank you!
I think I've come to a decision on the body work. I'll use both:spin:
The upper shell will get the guards red paint, the chassis will be black and the panels in between will be red/black carbon fiber???

pook

12-20-2009, 11:44 AM

Still plugging away, Things have slowed due to another project I took on....an EXO truck:run: Its a rock/trail truck with some wild design features for the boss.
Any way here are some pics of the upper body work, (the one that has been giving me fits!!!!):(.. I glassed and epoxy primed it so I couldn't change my mind....again!
PooK

cordycord

12-20-2009, 02:13 PM

Phenomenal! It is so amazing to see the creativity and different solutions everyone chooses per their own vehicle. I looked at your photobucket site and it looks like some of the bodywork is different. Is that the same vehicle? Old design? New design?

Last, have you done this before? From your drawings to your initial build, it doesn't look like a first-timer's work. :thumb2:

Edit--never mind--I read the whole thread. :) I'd take this over a T-Rex any day.

cheapracer

12-21-2009, 06:04 AM

Pook's last 3 wheeler was pretty radical too, got a picture there of the green meanie Pook?

pook

12-21-2009, 07:20 AM

I do cheap, but I still have bad dreams about it:(

Cordycord, It's my second trike, the first drove me insane with bodywork so I sold it.
all the different pics of the current trike are re-designs on the fly. I'm bad about building something stepping back with a beer and deciding I don't like it:run:
PooK

cordycord

12-21-2009, 07:47 AM

You've really outdone yourself with the way the exo-frame continues on through to the swingarm--very nice design. Here in California they make you jump through hoops to license a four-wheeled custom car. Yours would license easily as a motorcycle--but you've no doubt thought of that already. Your first trike has a "Zonda" quality to it.

Let me know if you need a contact for a custom windscreen.

africanstyle

12-21-2009, 09:23 AM

damn pook! You got any more pictures of that? That thing is sweeeeeet!

africanstyle

12-21-2009, 09:27 AM

nevermind... I just found your photobucket.

pook

12-21-2009, 01:14 PM

It was a nightmare! I sat on the build table and built it around me so to speak, I always thought I would be able to design a body later.......I was bad wrong! I went through more foam and fiberglass than I care to think about! but I learned a bunch and it sold well so all in all ......who am I kidding I still itch thinking about it! I felt like Batman in it.LOL!
Cordycord, I do need some plexi or acrylic work, Is that what you do?
Thanks
PooK

cheapracer

02-18-2010, 05:58 AM

Pook its still partly a build forum and pictures always help and inspire :-)

B-T

02-23-2010, 08:10 AM

Congrats on the sale of the Predator... I believe this will be the best looking reverse trike to have been built. I would expect photos of the finished product in early summer. I heard it may be mechanically complete as early as the end of April.
:coolnana:
BT

B-T

02-23-2010, 03:34 PM

It appears the trike will get a 17x10.5 rear wheel with a 315/35-17 tire. Looks like the Nitto NT555 is the shiznit. The wheel most likely will be a Mustang FR500 deep dish painted black. Some pics of the selected wheel and tire...
:)
BT

Karlo

02-23-2010, 03:50 PM

Will they match the front?

pook

02-23-2010, 04:10 PM

here is a better shot of the front
PooK

B-T

02-23-2010, 05:11 PM

Split 5 spoke / split 5 spoke. The rear wheel will need to be painted black so the silver dish doesn't jump out, but that's about it. This is the closest thing to a front wheel match that I found. I think it will look great.
:)
BT

pook

02-23-2010, 05:17 PM

True, and one side gets a large sprocket the other a caliper/rotor so prob won't see alot of it no matter what rim you pick.
PooK

Panch78

02-23-2010, 06:56 PM

This is an awesome build...

B-T

02-24-2010, 05:15 AM

I broke the news last night to the wife that I bought this trike. She was sick so she really didn't have the energy to argue. Good timing! So Danny, should I order the wheel and tire and have them drop shipped to your shop?
:coolnana:
BT

pook

02-24-2010, 05:20 AM

LOL!!! Mine would have got better just long enough to kill me!
Yes, I need it for the backspacing for the machinist.
PooK

Gage

02-24-2010, 05:43 AM

Pook you make some incredible body work. You really have talent for making a machine that looks good. At some point I would like to know how your first and second trike handle accelleration.

BT, congratulations. You have a project in your hands. What needs to be done?

And, Pictures soon?

pook

02-24-2010, 06:21 AM

Thank You Gage! I'm trying to find a way to do this for a living (I truly love Fab work)
The Exo Trike road testing will be done by BT, I did my homework with respect to anti-squat, torque effect and the geometry of the suspension so while I believe it will be very stable and scary fast, I also didn't over look it's ability to be tuned (everything is adjustable) everything is low and equal left to right (even the fuel cells are split and centered)
I won't build a two seat trike because this cant be controlled and on a sub 1000lb vehicle just stepping in a 200lb man is a HUGE shift in weight or CG.
There are vids out there of the T-Rex pulling the front wheels off the ground and leaning very hard to the driver.
It should pull hard and strait:thumb2:
PooK

B-T

02-24-2010, 06:47 AM

The wheel and tire should be at the shop no later than next Wednesday. When I pick the trike up it will be mostly assembled (for shipping purposes only) with the frame painted. I will have to take the body panels off and have them painted. I will torque check all the connections, etc... and have my mechanic go over the project to make sure it is ready to roll.
:)
BT

B-T

02-27-2010, 05:03 PM

I think I need to be placed in a medically induced coma until this thing is ready to pick up. I can't stop thinking about this trike!!! I have read all that there is on the net on several forums regarding this, and I am glad Danny is not putting the twin turbos on the motor! I would prefer to enjoy it for many years (without getting a toe tag). BTW Danny, I talked to some people at a car show today, I might have a customer ready for you when you open your shop.
:D
BT

pook

02-27-2010, 06:00 PM

:thumb2:Thank you Bill (on both posts) I hate to be so anal about the safety thing but being a trike and being I don't get to be the guy testing I just feel better about a check and double check arrangement.
I'm currently talking to a few other guy's on builds now (after Steve's Exo and your Trike are done of course):D
PooK

B-T

02-28-2010, 07:31 AM

Dude, I'm good with checking the stuff over, and having my mechanic double check it. I just have no skill for fabricating! I can tell you that the trike would have been the star of a big car show yesterday!
BT

TonyB

03-01-2010, 08:44 PM

pook, I think I saw in an earlier photo the fuel cell location just behind the front right tire. I'm certainly no expert on these things, but is that a safe location given the road debris that is bound to fly-up there?

Keep-up the excellent work! Wish you were not 3,000 miles away...

B-T

03-02-2010, 04:55 AM

The fuel cell behind the front wheels was on the first trike (termed the mean greenie). This one has dual fuel cells behind the driver.
:)
BT

pook

03-02-2010, 05:01 AM

Welllllll, It was a calculated risk, The trike already had the weight of a Toyota engine behind the seat, sat 38 inches tall and had 200hp and only three wheels.......The engine sat about 1 inch from the firewall and the fear was while it had to move 5 or 6 inches through a DOM X-brace to get to me, It needed to only move an Inch or two to get to the tank:(.
I looked at the nose but that left it between the a-arms and we know where those go in a side impact:(.
There was no rear area to speak of.
So I sheeted under it and in front (between it and the tires) with pretty good steel, and elevated it 4 or 5 inches from everything.
Porsche 911 has the tank in front 1/4 inch from the battery, many race cars back in the day ran saddle tanks, on a bike its between your legs, the Pinto had it in back:(
was it safe? are we ever? LOL!
PooK

pook

03-02-2010, 05:17 AM

Besides if someone in an an Escalade ran me over it would have been a lot like stepping on a bee, sure the bee doesn't make it but you know you stepped on it!
PooK

B-T

03-02-2010, 07:54 AM

I still gawk at the fabrication of the green trike. It is AWESOME!!! I really like the control switches on that pic. Too bad you can't be cloned, you could definitely open a factory.
:thumb2:
BT

TonyB

03-02-2010, 08:15 AM

This is a lively forum / thread, with it's share of humor too! Just what I needed to start the day... Thanks for the replies and explanations. This is a well-conceived project and I feel honored to follow it. Proceed.

B-T

03-05-2010, 10:54 AM

The specs on this trike are impressive. 180 hp... 725 curb weight... 0-60 in 2.6 seconds... 10.3 1/4 mile at 129 mph... 2.5 g lateral grip...
Bench racing is lots of fun!
With future turbos it will be around 350 hp, 740 pounds, 0-60 in about 1.9, a 8.6 1/4 mile at 173 mph, and about 2.4 lateral grip.
:spin:
BT

TonyB

03-05-2010, 11:24 AM

How did you go about figuring the lat g's?

pook

03-05-2010, 12:45 PM

He probably used that "new math" my kids studied it in public school.
PooK

B-T

03-05-2010, 12:52 PM

How did you go about figuring the lat g's?

Well, I know the T-rex says 1.5G, and the Scorpion says they can get 1.9, and we are clearly at least 1G better than the T-rex. I mean, just look at that slug! We will probably actually pull about 1.2 G more than the rex while we are parked, but I am talking about ultimate grip in a circle here...

The scorpion has those slats and a more aggressive looking front end with even less real data avialable than the T-rex, so interpolating (as Pooks kids learnt) we should be 2.5 since we have absolutely no data and a far more kickass looking vehicle! I dropped it to 2.4 on the turbo model since it has a little more weight with no changes anticipated in the bench downforce...
:cool3:
Plus, we have alonger wheelbase which will keep the back end from kicking out under power so easily. Maybe I won't make 5 minute smoky donut videos, but it should be more stable in a turn.
Dude, its gonna be gnarly!
BT

cordycord

03-05-2010, 06:12 PM

You don't need no stinkin' data!

cheapracer

03-06-2010, 03:05 AM

Well, I know the T-rex says 1.5G,

:lol:

Scorpion says they can get 1.9,

:lol: :lol:

Exo Trike about 2.4 lateral grip.

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

pook

03-06-2010, 06:52 AM

Got one of B-T's pods finished and in primer. Trying to make as little work for the painter as possible.
Hey Bill, Have you picked colors yet?
PooK

B-T

03-08-2010, 11:54 AM

Yes. I think a dark metallic gray (charcoalish) frame with Metallic red, white, and black bodywork. I think it will end up similar to an Indycar scheme that I like.
The pod looks great!
:)
BT

B-T

03-10-2010, 07:53 AM

I am thinking something similar to this:
The front panel should be red with a white converging stripe and a black center for the raised portion. Side pods maybe red with black on the bottom. Rear portion should be red sides with white in the middle and maybe some black pinstriping or something. Mostly red so that people will have a better chance of seeing it in the side mirrors, with black to hide the area that might get dirty quick and to reduce glare on the windscreen. White as an accent / highlight. The dark exposed frame will have about 30% of the visual impact as a guess, and depending on the driving experience, I might need to add something on the interior of the open side frames (gravel, etc...).
:coolnana:
BT

B-T

05-01-2010, 08:00 AM

I think I've changed my mind about the color. My daughter has kind of talked me into the krypton green or dayglo yellow whatever you would call it, with a black frame. OnceI get the vehicle I will look over the panel design and come up with something that looks flashy and fast. I have a painter lined up though.
:)
BT

chiodeguate

05-01-2010, 11:57 AM

B-T

05-01-2010, 01:16 PM

I know Danny made a trike in the green similar to the Go Daddy Indycar, this will be a bit brighter, like halfway to yellow. Perhaps I will just use Lamborghini Verde Ithaca Pearl, but I think I want something more yellow than that. My favorite color is actually Acura Long Beach Blue Pearl used on the last few NSX cars, but I don't think it is bright enough to help people see the trike.
:)
BT

pook

05-01-2010, 08:41 PM

I always liked these two ideas (although my poor 2D graphics don't do it justice.)
and the odd color on the red trikes tubes is supposed to be bronze.
PooK

B-T

05-02-2010, 03:17 PM

I definitely like the look of the green, but I don't think it is right to use Kawasaki green on a Yamaha powered trike. I think the color looks great on the design though!
:awais:
BT

africanstyle

05-02-2010, 04:48 PM

If I may add, when I first discovered the whole exo-car genre (and photoshop), I was playing around with color variants until one day I realized (long after others did, I'm sure), that painting the frame looks phenomenal.

Feel free to disagree, but I left the panels black, even sometimes white, and chose bright, loud colors for the frame to be powder coated. In my opinion it does two things:

1) It screams "UNIQUE"

2) It highlights the engineering aspect and brilliance (in simplicity) of the machine.

That's just my two cents. However, if this were my trike, I would want both pook's amazing body- AND frame-work to stand out.

pook

05-02-2010, 05:02 PM

OOH there you go all black bodywork with (lets just call it fast and furious green not Kawasaki) frame? It would look like neon tubes with some incar black lighting...I'm such a red-neck at heart!
And thank you africanstyle!
PooK

B-T

05-02-2010, 05:09 PM

I think the dark frame will stand out against a strong color such as the FNF green... Let's go with three buttons on the steering wheel, NAHS, mo' NAHS, and 8th gear NAHS! Two bottles, big ones...
:run:
BT

pook

05-02-2010, 05:13 PM

one beer keg marked NoS coming up, that would freak em out at bike night!!!
PooK

B-T

05-05-2010, 12:59 PM

I saw a couple o fKawasaki Ninja bikes today. That color of green is really gaining favor for me.
:)
BT

pook

05-05-2010, 01:30 PM

Ok then how about this? long before Kawa was CUDA! pretty close?
PooK

chiodeguate

05-05-2010, 09:12 PM

Ok then how about this? long before Kawa was CUDA! pretty close?
PooK

Cuda green is niiice

B-T

05-06-2010, 06:30 AM

I will probably use the Kawasaki ninja green in metallic, and just tell people it is Transformer green... Some of my friends have nicknamed me "The Roach" since they rarely see me in the daylight while we are driving, and the view of my car diving to the corner reminds them of a bug on the run. Now I can be a "Radioactive roach".
:thumb2:
BT

Karlo

07-17-2010, 07:17 PM

Bill are you trading your trike for the Mako?

B-T

07-18-2010, 05:51 AM

No, I will still be getting the trike, but it is on the back burner until we get done with the prototype Mako, and the customer cars.
:)
BT

Alanstrike

08-05-2010, 12:51 AM

Hi Pook and others

What are your thoughts on reverse for trikes ? I have a shaft drive so chains won't work...

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y243/mplogue/Trike/Trike%20FB-04/Reverse02.jpg

similar to drive on mobility scooters or mowers?

how would is work in practice ( trike weighs 390kg so technically doesn't need a reverse)

Alan

( hope you are AOK after the grinder affair - been guilty myself of taking off guards maybe not now !! )

pook

08-05-2010, 04:57 AM

Thanks Alan, I'm ready to get back at it! this laying around stuff is NOT my cup of tea!!!
I have seen that set up work on everything from farm equip to carnival rides so I don't see why it wouldn't? I do wonder what kind of DC motor it would take to get it going?
Do you have a rotor opposite of the shaft that you could turn into a "sprotor"? if so a go cart slipper clutch hooked to a starter motor would also be a great way....Just thoughts?
PooK

Alanstrike

08-05-2010, 05:47 AM

Hi Pook ... gokart slipper clutch - would they be in mesh all the time ? also an auto starter is quite heavy attached to the swing arm ?? thought of using a lithium ion drill - small powerfull , hex drive on th " sprotor " but wondered about meshing.. BTW how wide is the TR-42 between main rails ??

Alan
( your work still is excellent )

pook

08-05-2010, 06:01 AM

the "guts" on the slipper (clutch shoes) would be stationary until the starter spins, the "bell" would spin with the sprotor/wheel but has bearings, the chain can also be very lightweight? I thought one time about a one way bearing but I think the instant shock would be tough on the chain, sprockets, etc...
I guess a drill motor could work if the reduction is enough not to smoke the windings?
Some of these new starters are already reduction units and are tiny and light.
Its just an idea, I have not tried it myself but sure I will be pretty soon.
check out Mcmastercarr.com they have about every drive system part known.
PooK

leenco12

09-15-2010, 07:59 AM

pook

09-16-2010, 09:42 AM

I like a nice blend myself.
I think Bill's sticking with the "Hammer Head" look.
Unless he wants option #2....."pain"
PooK

B-T

09-16-2010, 01:30 PM

Option #2, nice pun! I think I'll stick with the Hammerhead look. It is more awesome. As we have discussed, the #2 style is fine for Zonda, but I know you are better than that mainstream styling!!!
:D
BT

africanstyle

09-16-2010, 03:46 PM

I REALLY like both. I prefer the zonda-style "#2" more but if u want something a bit more toned-down, hammerhead is the way to go... Even in raw form that zonda-nose-cone-shaped-piece of fiberglass is unbelievably striking. Excellent job pook.

pook

10-02-2010, 07:08 PM

I forgot how small the trike is until this...LOL! ought to SCREAM!

PooK

B-T

10-03-2010, 05:53 AM

I am really looking forward to having the trike on the road. Small, strange vehicles are my favorite!!!

GO POOK!!!
:)
BT

Alanstrike

10-08-2010, 02:25 AM

Hi All
The other MAKO from down under, Alans FJR1300 trike, is going for its first road trip on trade plates, about 600km to sort it out and meet up with a group of clubmans - wish me luck as hasn't been on the road at all , except for 2 track days still working on fitting cycle guards tonight and re-assembling bits..... Will try and work out how to post some pics when i get back .... keep up the good work.. Alan

Alanstrike

10-29-2010, 05:21 PM

Hi Danny and all
Have now done a bit over 1000km of road testing in the trike and thought i might share observations / adjustments made to improve handling , it may help the set up your trike for the road.
Initially tried tyre pressures set at 30psi all round and very stiff front suspension and found at any thing over 120km car would dance around quite a bit First change was to change to springs 1/2 of the std R1 set up - better - next tried dropping psi progressively down to 15psi like the clubmans use , this helped quite a lot however the rear felt like is was steering the car, a bit like towing a badly rear weighted trailer Next increased rear psi progressively to to 42 much better plus tightened the rebound adjust to max on the rear a marked improvement. The next change was to raise the rear of the bike to get a positive angle on the swing arm - this is easy as only required a quick fab of 2 links ( shorten by 15mm ) this improved the stability at high ( over 120km ) speed making the trike feel more relaxed to drive. Lastly have modified rear bike rim to take a 205 50 r17 Michelin mxv8 the largest i can fit in the swing arm and a good match to the michelin preceda. this has helped as well.
Re the swing arm mod - has been a good move - spoke to a race bike engineer and he thought with a negative angle ( as i had ) you would get the rear wheel trying to lift off at speed and looking at a lot of fast bikes they all seem to have positive angle
Also spoke to a 80+ YO engineer ( still sharp as a tack and working on fast austin 7's who has worked on Morgan 3 wheelers and he said his rule of thumb was for every10mph you need 1 degree of caster i have adjusted frontend to 10deg caster - and trike has improved again ...... all the best and keep up the good work - Alan