New look for old trike.

[Liteway]

This is not quite complete. Some polishing and painting will follow. Will have to reconfigure windshield. Family problems over the course of these last few weeks have left me with little interest in the project. I was able to test drive it a couple Nights ago. The good; Handles flatter in the corners, ride is slightly improved. Instruments are an easier read, I can reach the choke while Belted in. More wind protection below the neck level with shoulders and upper arms out of the air stream. Thankfully, knee contact with the cross member supporting the old dash is no longer an issue and leg room is comparable to a production car.
Review mirrors ,being closer to the driver, are much more effective.

The bad; Wind currents at helmet level make my head rock side to side. Radiator airflow out of the reverse hood scoop now flows right up the cowling, over the windshield and dumps into my face. More heat is apparent coming through the firewall lingering in the more enclosed cokpit. I came back from the 85 degree ride in a sweat. Used to be comfortable at those temps.

Its harder to get in/out. Door helps a bit.

The ugly; Stability has taken a hit, and it no longer tracks arrow straight, even in light winds and on smooth surfaces.
Could be many reasons with so many changes all at once. Smaller chin spoiler was substituted (kept damaging the old one on driveway dips and ditches)fenders eliminated, Alignment may have been affected while changing to the remote coilovers. Ride ht was raised 3/8", still low with a laden clearance of about 4". Problem May be related to that turbulence I feel at the helmet level.

I began with a trike that worked really well as it had been refined and debugged over a period of years.
So initially I am disappointed that it will take a lots of work to get the bugs worked out. I am not so eager to work on it as I once was.

[Deleted]

May I ask, where are you located? I know in some states you have to have fenders and wonder if you're actually going to forgo them?

I liked them, they are unique, but I am terribly sorry to hear that you're beginning to lose interest.

All I can say is you have a beautiful piece there and once you're done tweaking I'm sure you'll get that new vehicle feeling and it's always a great feeling to have something working again and knowing you were able to do it. It's how i feel after a week of trying to figure out the same issue on one of my cars or motorcycles

[Liteway]

Thanks much for your encouragement. I am likely to regain interest when some personal problems resolve, but don't know when that will happen.
In Okla, the law regarding fenders is clear as mud. They are supposed to be "of the original type and coverage". How would that apply to a home made trike?
I think the police are aware of the ambiguity and do not enforce the law. Fenderless hot rods are a common sight here. There is no annual inspection required and all compliance with state law is left up to cops on the road. In four years I have been stopped only once, that because my plate was obscured. It was a sheriff's deputy. The plate was hinged up to provide access to the tank filler. I had left it up after refueling.

After I lowered the plate, The deputy apologized for stopping me and said I was free to go, but he would sure like to look the trike over. I spent about 20 mins there explaining the build, and talking cars with him. At no time did he so much as ask me for a drivers licence , registration or proof of insurance. I had no fenders as the time, no inspection of lights horn etc. was made. So I don't worry about fenders. They do have a practical purpose however, controlling spray and gravel. I even think the old ones may have helped stability a little, either by reducing turbulence at the back of the tire or providing a wind vane effect. Did not like the look though and will probably make some more eventually.

[stretchmobileski]

Sometimes you have to step back and take a break. Give it a little time and then buy some things for it and you can renew your interest. Always deal with personal problems first. I use my hobbies to cope with personal problems. Built some of my best cars after ending relationships with some women who turn out to be less than ideal or faithful. Your trike is unique and impressive, you have a right to be proud of it.

[Deleted]

I would like to suggest that try fiberglass over foam for the fenders. I've been experimenting with liquid foam for a go kart I'm building my cousins. You can shape out the foam and add where you've taken to much. Also you could work on a more aero design which would help with your stabilIty issues.

I hope all works out for you. Your trike has served to inspire me in it's simplicity for a commuter trike I want to build.

[Liteway]

Thanks for your interest and consideration. Just not into seeking solutions at this time.

[DaveJ98092]

Personal problems with family can grind about everything to a halt. Take your time and get lifes issues under hand. Hey, you owe us nothing, we will wait for you to post again. Till then, take it easy.

[Liteway]

New bubble shield covers lights and improves air flow.

[jim99]

Front end is a lot cleaner looking. Your tin work is outstanding. Are you getting the handeling back to where it was or better?

Jim

[Liteway]

Thanks. Handles better than before if you do not include straight line stability as part of handling. That aspect was acceptable before I began the redesign, so Its only a matter of time till I get it tweaked back to where it was. Right now, I'm working on cosmetics so I can attend a local car show with it at the end of Sept..  My priorities are backwards; looks before function.

[mtntech]

Your priorities are bang on for a car show!

[nedkelly]

Hello Triplethreat

Your machine looks awesome well done

Ned

[Liteway]

Thanks Ned. I am currently struggling with the paint. I wanted that polished aluminum look seen on air craft, but after days of trying to get a scratch free finish on a single panel, I gave up.

Gonna go with a satin black finish with red graphics.

[kolibri]

I have problems with the straight line stability too. Over a speed of 70km/h it feels like driving more a boat then a car. I aks at the importer of bitubo shocks and he told me that the issue could be that not every shocks can be used in every position. It is not equal if the shock is in a laying or standing position. I noticed ( laying position like yours) that there is not a real damping it feels more than just the spring is working.If you want use a shock laying it needs a special piston to seperate oil. If you are shaking the shock and you can hear the oil, like I can, you should try other shocks before you change the hole thing once again.



Nice work looks realy good.

Ralf from Germany

[captainamerica]

Have you thought about anodizing? not sure what the cost would be for large parts but you can get them clear anodized to keep the look but protect the surface.

[Liteway]

Right Ralf. According to tech info I found on a Monroe web site, horizontally or upside down mounted shocks should be of a monotube design. Most shocks are not suited to be used this way.
Web research has left me unable to confirm if my YSS E-302s' are suitable in this application. YSS just describes them as of the "self adjusting, gas emulsion type".
My shocks are mounted 20 degrees off horizontal so this might help, but maybe its not enough to matter.

I cannot tell that there has been any degradation in dampening action as compared to when the shocks were more or less vertical. Feels quite well snubbed. There is not any of that floaty feel I associate with weak or worn shocks.

I think my problem can be addressed with suspension alignment and aerodynamic tweaks like I was able to do with the initial design.

But I will try your slosh test next time I have the shocks off.

[Liteway]

Done but for fenders.




















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Cannot decide what to do about holes left where old shock mounts were. Enlarge for air vents, install side marker lights or just plug.


[/.



This is way the windshield appeared before cutting.






Proud of door seam.

Did not complete in time for local car show, was a week late.
SCCA in holding a SOLO event in Stroud weekend after next. Will make my first public showing there. I know I will not be allowed to compete but being motorheads maybe they will be as curious as I am about how good it will get around the course and let make a run for grins.

[stretchmobileski]

I think you did a great job. I like the changes a lot. I'm leaning towards side marker lights in the old shock mount holes. Your turn signals are low in the front. Hard to see from the side, a we need as much visibility as we can get.

[Liteway]

Thanks Stretch. I am leaning towards the marker lights.

[skifffz1to3]

Great Job, AWESOME.