Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Okay, a few dollars and craigslist and here are all the parts I need! Two engine choices, several tires, seats, and more.
The scooter drivetrain is interesting. I guess every 50 cc scooter made uses the same engine designed by Honda in the 60's. Made in China. Parts are cheap. Found another car built on a scooter called the Zoe Zipper. Would like some close ups of the chassis, but cannot find any. Looks like it's built like the Scoot Car aka GoCar I drove last week. But only one seat.
Getting close! Stay tuned.

Thursday, February 14, 2013

Out for test drive

So, a business trip to San Diego and what do I find? A three wheel car. 80 bucks later and I get a 2 hour test drive! Only 50 cc motor, but got to 30 on level ground. A little shy up hills. I kept trying to straddle pot holes and man hole covers. That third wheel in the middle hit every one! But now I am even more excited to build my own.  But mine will have more foam in the seats.
Guess they are made by Scoot Coupe, Here is the new model.

Monday, February 11, 2013

Plans and weight

Okay, pencils and papers down. I now have a couple of drawings. Front axle placement appears to be the biggest question. Might move it back once the frame is assembled and the seats are placed. Anyway, here are the drawings.

If my calculations are close, the whole vehicle should weigh in less than 250 lbs. We shall see.

Also, found another interesting reverse trike.
reverse trike go kart video
Even more basic than Sceadu design.

Friday, February 8, 2013

Craigslist to the rescue. I now have a drivetrain, wheels, a seat, and spindles for less than 200 bucks. Pictures will follow. Also doing some surfing found this, but appears to be dead in the last 6 months.
http://switchvehicles.com/switch-electric-vehicles-0
Do not like the one seat in the front and two in the back. Shorten it up and make it a side by side. Has not the ATV trends taught you anything. We like to socialize!

Also found this interesting camper
Single camper

Okay, off to the steel yard for 1 1/4 inch square tubing!




Thursday, February 7, 2013

2 in the front or 2 in the back?

So, I know how many wheels I want, but where to put the wheels? I know I can cause a Miata with slicks to understeer so I think my only choice is 2 in the front! I imagine that with one wheel up front I will miss a lot of turns or look like Jeremy on Top Gear in a Robin! This is nice start. It has plans!
http://www.finkbuilt.com/blog/suburba-car-diy-3-wheeler/

This is real nice, but looks like many years of work
Roopod

This is what I think I will attempt. Looks like he has been making plans for a kit for many many years. But with the PM plans and a bit of guessing I should be able to make it work.
Sceadu


So off to craigslist to look for parts!


Tuesday, February 5, 2013

The start

Ever since second grade while reading a popular mechanix or popular science I wanted a 3 wheel car. A long lost friend and I would draw for hours all of our ideas when we were suppose to be doing school work. Some were simple, others had large bubbles covering the top, Some were single seaters, other were more like vans. Some came in two parts so you could just drive the front half alone. Now some 50 years later I am going to give it a try. Follow here for the journey. And the other thing I always wanted to build is a rocket ship. Guess I will see how the 3 wheel car goes first. This is also my first blog!