Anyone ever motored a Velomobile?

[solorbob]

Anyone every try or think about trying one of these MB motors on a velmobile (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velomobile)? I've been eyeing a twike (http://www.twike.us/index.html ) but with a 35K price tag, I would just as soon make my own, plus add in some gold platted parts!

I'd be interested in hearing any feedback.

Shawn

 

[GoblinAero]

Motorized velomobile

That's what I'm doing, but with a partial fairing for ease of entry. www.goblinmotors.com
I am not done with my project yet, but I fianlly got my Staton motor kit (very cool) and I'm machining a half axle for the drive gear. Next I sculpt up the fairings. A simple 1 page website is up right now but will be developed better later. Most velomobiles go for about $13000.

Jeff

 

[SimpleSimon]

GA, what prototyping method are you using for your fairing/enclosure?

Fiberglass on foam, lost foam, carbon/resin, carbon/carbon, or one of the other possibilities? In terms of weight/strength trade-offs I like tensioned fabric/resin skins, but they are somewhat of a pain to build.

 

[GoblinAero]

prototype

GA, what prototyping method are you using for your fairing/enclosure?

Fiberglass on foam, lost foam, carbon/resin, carbon/carbon, or one of the other possibilities? In terms of weight/strength trade-offs I like tensioned fabric/resin skins, but they are somewhat of a pain to build.

I'll be sculpting with wood guides and foam blocks, topped off with a coat of fiberglass and bondo to get a smooth finish. I'll make a fiberglass mold using hand lay up methods followed by chopped glass from my chopper gun.

The first set of parts to come out of the mold will be done with the chopper gun to see how heavy they are. They'll weigh more than hand lay up, but may cost less due to labor expense. If I was making another streamlined racer, I'd use hand lay up for sure, but since I've got the power of a motor, a few extra pounds shouldn't affect the vehicle greatly.

The windshield is a standard Honda Goldwing replacement and the lights are from a brand new scooter design.

It's going to be fun!

Jeff

 

[levsmith]

That's what I'm doing, but with a partial fairing for ease of entry. www.goblinmotors.com
I am not done with my project yet, but I fianlly got my Staton motor kit (very cool) and I'm machining a half axle for the drive gear. Next I sculpt up the fairings. A simple 1 page website is up right now but will be developed better later. Most velomobiles go for about $13000.

Jeff

Hmm very cool. Im interested in seeing it when its done. Is the engine going to be in the back, under the storage? And if so, how are you going to keep it cool. Looks very interesting.

 

[GoblinAero]

Keeping it cool

Hmm very cool. Im interested in seeing it when its done. Is the engine going to be in the back, under the storage? And if so, how are you going to keep it cool. Looks very interesting.

Gracias.

The motor is not represented in the drawing on my webpage, but the Honda engine mounts to a Staton gearbox at the approximate level of the rear axles, directly underneath the rear tail fairing/storage box. There will be plenty of air flow passing under the cyclist to keep the engine cool.

The nice thing about having a fiberglass manufacturing company (PoolRock.com) is that I can make any shape that I want. Other models/options will eventually be available. If I need to mold a specific type of scoop to increase airflow onto the motor, I can do it quickly and easily.

I spoke with a friend of mine that is famous in the world of streamlined bicycle racing about using one of his racing fairing designs to offer a super tricked out version of the Goblin and he is on board. That might be 8-10 months from now, but will certainly be an interesting offering. Using human power alone, he has unofficially gone 85 mph in the fairing whose design I will use. Hmm... perhaps a run at Bonneville is due in a couple of years?!

Sam Whittingham's official speed of just over 82mph on human power alone is staggering and was established as the new world record just a few weeks ago. I was a racer along with Sam in 2003 at the WHPSC (World Human Powered Speed Chamionships) and was an announcer for the spectators when Sam blew his front tire and logged the fastest crash on level ground under human power at 78 mph. His fairing skipped along the pavement like a stone on water and he ended up a few yards off the highway in a desert shrub. He was removed from the streamlined fairing shaken, but not stirred. He only had a small scrape near an eye. Sam Whittingham is one of the toughest bike racers out there. He has a small, but strong physique, and a bad-*** attitude. Only half of me would fit into the streamlined recumbent racing bike that he rides. Sam doesn't make a very big hole in the air as he zips along. Aerodynamics are king. Combine that with the large amount of power that Sam can generate and you've got a real winner.

Jeff

 

[Email]

VINs

I love the position you are in to make this happen. These will be sweet rides, but I do have a few questions.

1) I noticed a lot of the other "registration required" elements were there but did not see a VIN in the list. Are you adding VIN numbers to them by any chance, for those of us in States that require registration as a motorcycle (for me, that's Alabama)?

2) How good is the stability? Did you have to widen the wheel footprint any? How good is the turning radius, and is it easy for a novice to flip? Even if you get used to riding your Goblin, someone else will want to try it for a spin so stability is a important aspect to me.

3) I know it has a lockable trunk, but does it have any built in anti-theft measures, like a few keyed frame locks to prevent steering, chain from moving, or wheels from turning? The frame locks I am talking about are built into the frame tube and slide in and out via the key. I saw one on a bike once that was on E-bay that prevented a rider from turning the handlebars. Here's one example for wheel lock, from ID.

 

[GoblinAero]

RE: few questions

I love the position you are in to make this happen. These will be sweet rides, but I do have a few questions.

1) I noticed a lot of the other "registration required" elements were there but did not see a VIN in the list. Are you adding VIN numbers to them by any chance, for those of us in States that require registration as a motorcycle (for me, that's Alabama)?

2) How good is the stability? Did you have to widen the wheel footprint any? How good is the turning radius, and is it easy for a novice to flip? Even if you get used to riding your Goblin, someone else will want to try it for a spin so stability is a important aspect to me.

3) I know it has a lockable trunk, but does it have any built in anti-theft measures, like a few keyed frame locks to prevent steering, chain from moving, or wheels from turning? The frame locks I am talking about are built into the frame tube and slide in and out via the key. I saw one on a bike once that was on E-bay that prevented a rider from turning the handlebars. Here's one example for wheel lock, from ID.

Good questions!

1) As far as "registration required" goes... every user will need to confirm their local laws. I'll post links to laws on the 'net, eventually, for reference sake. It is available with a smaller 35cc Honda motor that can make it usable without registration in many states. I may even register mine as a motorized cycle in Arizona to legally exceed 35mph on occasion (it will be under the 5hp limit and it has the proper lighting and windscreen for no goggle requirement). The basic trike that I base the GoblinAero upon has a VIN style serial number stamped into the frame on the underside near the head tube.

2) The trike itself is in its completely 'stock' format. The rear wheels are canted outward at an angle to improve stability. It is surprisingly stable. It has to be 'obviously pushed' to unsafe conditions to get it to go onto 2 wheels, and even then you have control. A novice shouldn't have a problem with stability. A novice should be able to get in and motor away with confidence, safely. I am personally amazed at the stability. I have had friends attempt to put it into a dangerous situation, and they were also impressed that they had to do something intentional to bring one rear wheel off of the pavement for even a brief, yet controlled period of time. The turning radius is quite small for amazing, same lane u-turns. With your hands down at your sides, control is comfortable, stable and predictable. When I ride the trike at speed under my own power, I intentionally put myself into situations to mimic safety maneuvers and I have yet to experience problems. I put 1,then 2, then all 3 wheels off of the road into gravel, sand and mud and have maintained stability. With the original motor kit that I had to return to Dimension Edge (in my opinion, horrible quality issues) I was able to get the trike up to 40mph a few times and put it into gravel at speed, maintaining stability. Being a 'guinea pig' can be fun. My original unit will be the same as any production unit and will be available for test rides. I will commute on the GoblinAero to promote the brand and get it into television programs that focus on 'green' industries and alternative vehicles.

3) As far as security goes, it does not have a frame style lock. There are impressive motor scooter style lock systems on the market that are incredibly tough. One idea just now popped into my head... a rider could make the GoblinAero inoperable by attaching a pick-up truck sized steering wheel locking bar to a rear wheel.

Thanks for the questions.

Jeff in Tucson

 

[SimpleSimon]

The side steering is an issue.

I realize it isn't such for the very large majority of riders, but take a look around this board. For me it is an issue because I have just one partially functional hand - but I have nearly 41 years practice dealing with that limitation. I still wouldn't try to ride a side steering recumbent more than a few yards.

I said take a look around the board for a specific reason - a whole lot of the members here are older folks, just getting older all the time. The incidence of joint deterioration, strokes, etc is going to go up as the population ages. Which means ever more folks who might like such a vehicle as a way to continue riding are NOT going to be comfortable trying to cope with the steering.

 

[az cra-z]

steering wheel locking bar to a rear wheel

Turn "The Club" into a "boot". Great idea! I love it!!