LocostUSA.com

Hello All,

I've been lurking around for some time but haven't really posted anything as my build certainly is "non-traditional", but sharing the same philosophy (and some hardware) as a Locost. I was on the fence to build either a Locost or a 3-wheeler and finally fell to the side of loosing a wheel for many reasons. I'm just curious how welcome a build log would be from someone missing a wheel (or a few marbles depending on your perspective)? I'd certainly be interested in your feedback as the more eyes that are looking over my shoulder the more ideas for potential problems/solutions.

Do it... we're already a crazy enough to consider building our own cars. Many of us would love to see what other like-minded individuals have come up with.

Post it. There are arguments for and against 3-wheelers so you will certainly get a bunch of different opinions, but you should also get lots of help and insight. All new ideas are welcome here. Never know, you might create a new building craze.

From the looks of your av, you have already put a lot of effort into it. Post it up!

Less is more around here. My favorite is the GX3 with the fwd assy behind the driver and a sprocket output from the transaxle.

The layout in the avatar typically has a very long wheelbase for the motorcycle driveline. I would avoid bike tires all around unless you design it to lean. They dont last very compared to a car tire.

Thanks for the encouragement! Once I find someplace to upload my pictures I'll post a build log to date. Unfortunately progress is slow due to limited funds but I'm hoping all of your experience will keep me from heading down the wrong path (in some respects I may have already gone the wrong way). To answer your questions, yes I am using car tires all around and it is mid-engine so the drive line is pretty standard motorcycle chain drive with the exception of a jackshaft in order to accommodate the wider rear tire. I'll post more soon...

interesting build.


www.photobucket.com is a nice and easy place to host pics.

Good luck
Ken

Any thought to which power plant/engine you will be using?

Ever hear of the Dave Norton's Shrike...
http://www.nortonshrike.com/shrike.htm

He seems like a very approachable guy....
(there is a build project discussed that looks similar to yours, any connection?)
http://www.nortonshrike.com/shrike_askmr.htm#latest


Keep up the good work. I look forward to seeing more!

Thanks Kenlude97, I'll check out photobucket tonight, I can't access it here at work.

Mr. Peabody.d, the donor was/is an '84 Kawasaki GPz1100. 120 Hp/75 ftlbs and fuel injected. The bike was apparently big with drag racers as it could be punched out to 1400cc and still take a beating. The down side is it's aircooled so it will be needing ducting for cooling air, part of the reason for the "sidepods".

I've spoken to Dave Norton a few times, and he is every bit as nice and approachable as people say he is. That is in fact me and my project on his site. I went over the project with him before I started to be sure I had my head on straight.

I'm in chester springs. have you started cutting metal yet?

How have you deisgned the front supension, from my vantage it looks sort of "leany" on the upper front arm?

How are you working around the lean in turns with a flat rear tire?

I love the triangulation and the side "pyramids".

wyked, i'd love to come check out your project.

check my flickr page http://www.flickr.com/photos/11292885@N02

Although I'm not as accomplished as some of the folks here. I'd love to check it out.

Where are you getting your metal?

tigris,

The front suspension is still in the works, I'm not sure what you mean by "leany"? It's going to be a pull rod suspension but everything else is just in CAD as a base design. I'm still working on the mounting locations and a-arms as I get more pieces of the puzzle and read and reread all the books out there. As far as body roll goes, it's obviously going to be a problem so I'm working on keeping my CG low and a suspension configuration that limits roll as much as possible. Maybe running a higher roll center, or simply a heafty ARB, time will tell.

In terms of cutting metal, yes and no. Considering my survival depends on the integrity of the frame, I got my co-worker (prof. welder) to weld the frame up for me. In the mean time I'm just saving up for my own welder, working on the design, practicing my welding at work and picking up parts whenever I can. As far as metal goes I've been sourcing it from a few places, Fazzio's in NJ and places on-line like McMaster Carr.

Send me a PM and we can work out some time to stop by if you want. Attached is a picture of the progress to date, excuse the rattle can paint job...

Excellent. Except for the upper control arms, the frame seems to have all the nodes in the right place. Well done.

Nice work.

Admim dudes: Can we get this thread's title changed and stickied?

P

Title changed and stickied...( wyked if you want to change the the title edit your first message and modify the subject line).