Eco Exo R

[edvb]

Here is a quick video in the daytime before I put it away yesterday.

Eco Exo R 1 by evanbelkom, on Flickr

[joe]

Very nice high quality build. I read all your posts,did you incorporate some type of reverse gear for the Burgman 400? My trike is also automatic transmission, I was able to fabricate an electic reverse setup that works great and draws minimal current. The custom trailer is also a very professional looking build. Please check out my trike under "Built projects ", "T-Rex Carbon Fiber", keep up the good work!

[DaveJ98092]

Of all the Eco-Exo builds I have seen, Edwards build is far supreme, followed by Rogers. I was a big fan and still am of the Eco-Exo R. But being that I have 3 Burgman 650s I was trying to see if we could modify the Eco-Exo chassis to fit one but NO, it is 20 inches longer than a Burgman 400 and would put the rear tire too far back and upset the Akerman angles.

But I bet the shorter Honda Silverwing 600 may be a better "BIGGER" engine, but "I" will not be the one to address that over there!

[edvb]

Thanks Joe

Yes it has reverse. This is a video that shows it backing up. I have the reverse with me at all times. Seriously it works great and no extra weight to carry around. This was a few years ago as I was testing the trike out.

The trailer I designed myself so the total weight including the trike with full fuel was under 1200 LBS. It has worked great and is the garage I keep my trike in.

Reverse Gear by evanbelkom, on Flickr

[edvb]

Thanks Dave

I have a feeling the Eco Exo R is no more. It was great to be able to get a frame and engine and roll my own. You already know how many changes I made that it is almost a new updated design.

There are other designs out there like the Scorpion P6 but are pretty pricey. I probably have close to 20K in mine including the trailer so not cheap but a complete package that can go anywhere in complete confidence.

I really like all the builds here and Booser shows how to make one out of a Burgman 650 so now you have a way to use your frame and engine:)

For me after I retired I do not think I have the energy and help from other people that I worked with to build another one. I kind of knew that and really pushed to get this as nice as I could before retiring.

I am sure something will come up for you to finish.

[DaveJ98092]

Edward, do not count the Eco-Exo as a dead kit yet. I have talked to Kelvin and things are just on a hold. I wish I had $10,000 all free and clear to just offer to buy the whole works from him but I do not. I have time and space to do these kits but the whole startup would be about $20K before I could get a few kits built and ready.

Time will tell.

[edvb]

Hi Dave

Yes things can always change but I always try to look at the big picture. The Eco Exo R kit is just basically a rough frame with A-arms. You still need to do some welding and fabrication to complete it. It also does not come with a gas tank that fits and other items that requires some fabrication and welding skills to complete.

Unless the kit is built here in the US (cost) and has been refined to the point where you just bolt on the parts it will be a hard road ahead.

I wish whoever gets it good luck and hope they can make the changes needed to make it a viable kit.

I am sure it can be scaled to fit the Silverwing but it would be a new and larger designed frame of the original.

I am not saying it cannot be done Dave, it just would not be using the original size frame.

[DaveJ98092]

Just to know where Edward is coming from on the Eco-Exo frame and making a 600cc engine fit, the original Eco-Exo was made just for the Burgman 250 that was only for NON-USA markets. Scott Turner made some changes, with the frame designer Stuart Mills, to make the early Burgman 400's fit. Then a guy in Georgia made some more conversions for the Eco-Exo R. And a guy in Worcester Mass made some MORE changes just to HIS frame to fit a NEW 2007 up Burgman400. So fitting a 600cc engine in a frame made to handle 250cc would need some modifications to the tubing sizes and such. Not just a "Cut the 250cc engine mounts off and weld the 600cc mounts on".

[edvb]

That is correct Dave. Scott worked with Stuart to make sure the frame was designed to handle the Burgman 400. As you add weight and power the strength of the frame and suspension components have to increase. I am not the best at explaining things but that is the jest of it.

Even when I modified mine I really looked at the frame mounts for the A-arms but was assured they were up to the task when I sent the pictures and material type and dimensions to the engineers.

[edvb]

Found this just for you Dave:)

link

[DaveJ98092]

Thanks Edward. That is $8750 plus shipping and customs fees. Nice trike though. If I were living in UK Id buy it. For about another $2000 to $3000 I could buy the whole license with all GRP moulds, frame bucks plus the demonstrator kit from Kelvin I bet. Just not so sure I could do enough kits per year to keep Stuart happy.

For those that do not know Kelvin is the current HOLDER of the only license to make these kits in England and is not making ANY kits currently.
Stuart Mills is the designer and owner of the license and has extended the offer for a USA license to make these kits locally.

I just retired Dec 2015 and have not figured out IF I could afford to buy that license and make these kits here near Seattle WA.

[edvb]

This was the best video I found that shows the detail of a stock Eco-Exo-R. I still would like to know what happened to the two Eco-Exo-R kits that went to Colorado?

I do like the 2trike though and as a kit would fit a few different motorcycles as donor's.

The only other one would be a FRS-3. That would be my favorite if I did not have my trike.

c25fa1_e49508a5d334b2eaaabba5af5b03db6f by evanbelkom, on Flickr

c25fa1_a24887fa6528426173743e164a4c2a54 by evanbelkom, on Flickr

[2rike]

You Like your British Three wheelers! I think that the FRS-3 is built quite local to me. Having said that I have not had the pleasure of seeing one in the flesh I did go to our local speed hillclimb last year to have a look at one that was on the start list to race but unfortunately it did not turn up, I like the idea of two wheel drive at the front with the weight over the axle but the big draw back is trying to design something that is streamlined when the bulk of it at front and you have to peer over the Engine!    

[edvb]

I know what you mean but everyone is different and for me I just like the overall styling with the seats fore and aft.
It just looks like a robust machine that hits all my buttons for a two place machine:)

[edvb]

Well I think I am finally done with every detail I could think of. The last one was the bottom seat pad as the original only had a 1/2" neoprene pad that was too thin and I was sore after two hours riding. I added a 1" memory foam on top and redid the seat pad to fit the extra height. It is very comfortable now for those extended rides. I do have a touch of pin striping left to do but this is the final result of all the changes I did.

20160314_111200 by evanbelkom, on Flickr

20160314_103804 by evanbelkom, on Flickr

20160314_111243 by evanbelkom, on Flickr

20160314_111303 by evanbelkom, on Flickr

20160314_111320 by evanbelkom, on Flickr

20160314_111336 by evanbelkom, on Flickr

20160330_165937 by evanbelkom, on Flickr

[Liteway]

Very slick indeed.

How about adding side panels? Looks as though there would be quite a draft with the sides open all the way to the foot controls.

Just picking nits here, for conversation's sake.
You could recess them to preserve the exposure of that rather pretty frame.

[edvb]

I took it for a ride yesterday and only had my tee shirt on in about 46 degree weather. The way the hood is shaped makes the cockpit area almost draft free. I was very comfortable and did not feel any side draft when driving. Maybe I just lucked out but it works very well.

Here is a picture of Roger's trike that he put side panels on. For me I like it just the way I have it now as I see no need for them.

20160228_124518_zpsagee4lip by evanbelkom, on Flickr

[Liteway]

Yeah, By all means, I agree with your idea that if ain't broke don't fix it. Simplicity is a worthy goal all by itself.
I do prefer Rodger's transparent screen though I realize there will probably be lots of distortion at the angle its mounted and you mostly view over , not through as is the case with mine. An esthetic choice, not a functional one. Either way, nice looking windshield. Where did you source it?

(If you are here Captain, you should look into it. IMO, It would look great on yours, after you cut away about the lower half)

You a have a lot more cold tolerance than me.
I can't be outside in calm air in a t-shirt when its 56 never mind 46.
Must have been toughened by those Wisconsin winters.

[edvb]

If you are talking about mine it is part of the carbon hood that I molded and had the windshield part painted a sparkle black.

Roger used a Burgman 400 windshield he trimmed down and painted the bottom inside black. He also bought a wind deflector for his trike but a different make.

The wind deflector makes the comfort while cruising possible. I have no problem looking over it in normal use. If I get caught in the rain I can scrunch down and look through the deflector. It work real well for me.

Aesthetics is the reason for the lower windshield. Making one higher made it look dorky. With the deflector when I look through it make me feel like a fighter pilot:)


20160312_165751 by evanbelkom, on Flickr

[Liteway]

You fooled me edvb. Now I look again and there is no seam between "windshield" and cowling. Very cleanly done and so smooth, please excuse my thinking it was a separate blown piece. Beautiful.

As my nitpicking seems to be going nowhere, I'll give it a rest.