Not sure I understand ...
The struts are part of a triangulated system to locate the wheels consistently relative to the chassis, while the struts themselves allow the wheels to move move vertically while driving over uneven surfaces.
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My Elio Alternate Project Is Underway.
- Thread starter Mark BEX
- Start date
Not sure I understand ...
The struts are part of a triangulated system to locate the wheels consistently relative to the chassis, while the struts themselves allow the wheels to move move vertically while driving over uneven surfaces.
a few days ago AriLea posted a link to a YouTube video about the new generation Meserschmitt reverse trike .... at 1:03 in the video you can see the right front tire lift in a turn .... it appears that is a common issue that needs to be dealt with in the design of reverse trikes ....from what I've seen, struts do well
Totally agree with you on your physics analysis regarding any "rear wheel" powered 3wheelers. That's my worry on Electra Meccanica SOLO. On top of that, here's Motor Trend's review of how the rear wheel bounces:
Its 82 hp may not be much, but given the sub-2,000-pound curb weight and Smart-sized dimensions, I expected the Solo to feel quick. It didn't. Pin the throttle to the floorboard—pretty much the only way the Solo gets going with any urgency—and the always-on traction-control system limits torque to prevent the rear tire from breaking loose.
Throttle input during normal driving generally results in the Solo's back end bouncing upward as the rear axle and suspension struggle with the motor's torque. Get off the throttle, and the suspension and axle unload rapidly. As a result, quick throttle changes—like you might experience in heavy stop-and-go traffic—result in the ElectraMeccanica pogoing up and down, a lot like Mercedes' "bouncy-bounce" off-road mode found on the GLE and GLS SUVs.'
It doesn't appear much thought went into the way the Solo turns or stops; it doesn't feel as engaging as it looks like it would be. There's little in the way of feedback or feel from the power steering system, and its slow Jeep Wrangler-like steering ratio means even simple maneuvers, like reversing into a parking spot, require lots of steering input.
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I'd say the Solo issues can be repaired by mods to the car. It wouldn't be too difficult to add $5k in hardware including Front twin motors, extended rear fork, wider AArms at the front. $10k if you contract some of the work. But by then the car has cost $27k.
(add some more battery up front to move the CG, +$4K = $31K or better; fine for a one-off eye catcher)
But it would work hugely better on the freeways at that point. You would in effect be using the Solo as a body and power pack donor.
I don't know if you could apply that to a Sparrow, but that doesn't look as easy to me. (and Yup Fugly for the money)
It does seem just as easy to rip the middle out of some used car to produce a tandem or solo body to host a drive train suitable for freeway speeds, as Mark is doing.
(add some more battery up front to move the CG, +$4K = $31K or better; fine for a one-off eye catcher)
But it would work hugely better on the freeways at that point. You would in effect be using the Solo as a body and power pack donor.
I don't know if you could apply that to a Sparrow, but that doesn't look as easy to me. (and Yup Fugly for the money)
It does seem just as easy to rip the middle out of some used car to produce a tandem or solo body to host a drive train suitable for freeway speeds, as Mark is doing.
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I think we're gonna need to change the forum name to "BEX Owners" soon 
From your mouth to God's ear.I think we're gonna need to change the forum name to "BEX Owners" soon
Now the Polaris Slingshot is a front engine but rear-wheel drive also, 2.0 liter 4cyl, 170hp, 120 ft lb of torque and weighs only 1,663lb- I wonder how the rear SINGLE wheel handles all that power?? How stable it is in turns specially on wet weather conditions?
I think we're gonna need to change the forum name to "BEX Owners" soon
Gotta get in there and make 'em first, no false gods here .... :-)
Sorry for lack of updates the last few days, the holiday week has finished here, I didn't mean to get caught up in it, but I did, a bit more travel, a few lunches and drinks with friends, etc, but back to the car full time tomorrow.
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Getting through the front chassis frame and strut mounts a bit at a time.
Don't worry that it's a but ugly and messy at the moment, lots will be trimmed back, some lasered plates rather than tubes, and some removed later.
I have to use some bolts at the moment because I can't know at the moment how the engine and driveline weight will ultimately affect the ground clearance, so may have to move the strut mounts up or down later accordingly.
Don't worry that it's a but ugly and messy at the moment, lots will be trimmed back, some lasered plates rather than tubes, and some removed later.
I have to use some bolts at the moment because I can't know at the moment how the engine and driveline weight will ultimately affect the ground clearance, so may have to move the strut mounts up or down later accordingly.
I spent time today designing the upper strut mounts, worked them out, and ready for a first run as soon as they are laser cut tomorrow. Will look a lot nicer.
The hardest part is working out all the tabs and slots so that they are self aligning without the need for setting jigs.
The hardest part is working out all the tabs and slots so that they are self aligning without the need for setting jigs.