LocostUSA.com

He's changing the shocks and springs so we'll see. He estimated that the S10 axle with OUT wheels and tires is around 150lbs! (His guess, not varified.) I'll see if I can get some more accurate suspension numbers next time I visit him. I should underscore the fact that he's very happy with the car, but a little miffed that something so simple to get right at design was either missed or ignored. Again, our opinions. I suppose there are owners who feel the ride is fine...

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Midlana book: Build this mid-engine Locost!, http://midlana.com/stuff/book/
Kimini book: Designing mid-engine cars using FWD drivetrains
Both available from https://www.lulu.com/

I used 6" travel shocks where one inch is consumed by the bumpstop. There's 2.5" between the tops of the tires and the fenders, so while it can reach the fenders, it has to be a pretty nasty bump - it's happened a couple times.

(I used a piece of 4x4 wood sitting on top of the tire to set the clearance back when I set the shell height relative to the tires. Though it's not easy to see, the body actually sits on the chassis with the rear about 1/2" higher than the front for this very reason.)

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Midlana book: Build this mid-engine Locost!, http://midlana.com/stuff/book/
Kimini book: Designing mid-engine cars using FWD drivetrains
Both available from https://www.lulu.com/

3400? 3800? Who's driving these day-to-day, anyway?

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www.indybillsbackers.moonfruit.com

I should have said, "On public streets, with their ruts, bumps, potholes, Bott's dots, etc, etc, - everyday roads."

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Midlana book: Build this mid-engine Locost!, http://midlana.com/stuff/book/
Kimini book: Designing mid-engine cars using FWD drivetrains
Both available from https://www.lulu.com/

Is it that hard to drive these reasonably regularly? I am expecting it to be roughly at least as useful as a motorcycle. Does that seem unrealistic? I'm not ready to be old yet.. So am hoping to be able to commute to work, 40 miles each way several days a week.

For what it's worth, I used to put a lot of miles on my motorcycles...

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Marcus Barrow - Car9 an open design community supported sports car for home builders!
SketchUp collection for LocostUSA: "Dream it, Build it, Drive it!"
Car9 Roadster information - models, drawings, resources etc.

I'm thinking that if you thought the ride in a seven would be anything but "harsh, let's say" you'd be overestamating them in the comfort realm.
If one wanted to build it for a comfortable ride I'm sure that could be done but at the sacrifice of handeling, to some extent, all a matter of what you were aiming at.
I rode in a Miata and thought it was a bit harsh and was thinking "I'll bet the seven is way worse than that."
Some well known car writer once wrote, in a review of a seven, that the car was fun for about 15 minutes, then is was too loud, too hot, and too windy. But for those 15 minutes it was really fun.
I rode in a finished Locost in Houston a while back and didn't find it all that bad though, but I was pretty excited just to be in one.?????
wayne

I’m a “firm” believer in low rates and lots of travel, ground clearance permitting. Its interesting to watch those Baja buggies jumping sand dune and what not, while the body simply “floats”. Obviously, an extreme example, but a good visual indication of the importance of suspension travel.

It seems obvious to me that, all things being equal, if the travel is reduced by half, the dampening required for the same bump would double at the very least.

http://www.baja.net/videos.php

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Miata UBJ: ES-2074R('70s maz pickup)
Ford IFS viewtopic.php?f=5&t=13225&p=134742
Simple Spring select viewtopic.php?f=5&t=11815
LxWxHt
360LA 442E: 134.5x46x15
Lotus7:115x39x7.25
Tiger Avon:114x40x13.3-12.6
Champion/Book:114x42x11
Gibbs/Haynes:122x42x14
VoDou:113x44x14
McSorley 442:122x46x14
Collins 241:127x46x12

My daily is a Mazdaspeed Miata and the ride in the Locost is probably comparable. I have no hesitation in driving the 'speed' anywhere. But commuting in the Locost is a different matter.

It is low, and consequently invisible, to all the cars, trucks, SUV's surrounding you. You will be constantly dodging soccer moms and under endowed pickup truck drivers. At first it's a game, but then, after a few near misses you realize that the bastards really are trying to kill you.

The engine heat will cook your feet at the same time a cold rain pelts your head. Even with a full windscreen, air buffets you constantly and relentlessly, bugs leave pockmarks on your forehead, and sand will sneak past the wings so that your left forearm slowly abrades away to just bone.

After a few minutes at 75 mph you begin to feel as though you are being beaten with a Styrofoam bat. The constant drone of the exhaust fills your ear until your brain begins to itch. You finally emerge from your 40 mile commute deaf and numb. And getting stuck in traffic is the equivalent of one of Hell's inner circles. You will love it!

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Jack Collins

That's priceless Jack.

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He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has.

variable rubber springs