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indycyclebuilder
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posticon Questions about the IndyCycle

Okay, folks! I figure the easiest way we can present and record (and discuss) any questions you may have about the IndyCycle (mine, yours, or someone else's) would be in a forum, so here it is.
Login and post your question, and I will try to post back to it so that we can communicate more easily.
5/21/2006, 12:08 am Send Email to indycyclebuilder   Send PM to indycyclebuilder Blog
 
FEF
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Re: Questions about the IndyCycle

Has anyone tried to make a 2 seater (side-by-side or tandem) out of the plans?

While it would change the look of the vehicle a bit, it does appear possible.
5/21/2006, 10:02 pm Send Email to FEF   Send PM to FEF
 
explorer3333
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Re: Questions about the IndyCycle

Jamieson,
I tried to contact you with email, but no answer, so I trying again here. I am trying to build an Indycycle, but I am concerned about the plan details. Could you elaborate on it please? Do you sell any premade parts or it is completely scratch made?
Thanks, M
12/31/2006, 12:34 am Send Email to explorer3333   Send PM to explorer3333
 
indycyclebuilder
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Re: Questions about the IndyCycle

M (aka: Explorer3333),

Sorry, but I don't sell any premade parts. I purchased almost everything through Drag Shop and Hot Rod catalogs, through a supplier of dragster components, from auto parts and salvage yards, and even from boat supply stores (for the shifter control cable). Everything else I had to fabricate by hand to my specifications. The shift lever (which I will be revising in the rebuild of the IndyCycle eventually) was made after the seat was in and I could actually put my arm/hand in the position that I thought would work best for the clutch lever squeeze and shift lever movement. It still isn't quite right, but I have some ideas of how to make it better. That's about the best I can tell you.

Anyone else having issues that they need help with, or can offer suggestions to M that I am missing?

- Jamieson
1/3/2007, 12:18 am Send Email to indycyclebuilder   Send PM to indycyclebuilder Blog
 
explorer3333
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Re: Questions about the IndyCycle

Jamieson,

Thanks your prompt reply. Now that I know, you actually answer, here is my story/questions:

I would be interested to build an Indycycle, but not for the usual reasons. I would be interested in it as a high milage daily commuting vehicle. (I commute 100 highway miles a day for work.) So my questions are:
Could I build a high mpg vehicle with a 125-250cc motorcycle for highway use?
Do you have enough details in the plan to be able to actually build one (I am an averagely skilled person, actually an engineer by training)?
Are you planning to be available through email if I stuck?
I have heard from other three wheelers, that rear tire wear is very fast (3000 miles max per tire). What can be done to reduce wear?
Thanks,
Mihaly
1/4/2007, 6:54 pm Send Email to explorer3333   Send PM to explorer3333
 
IndyCycleFlorida
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Re: Questions about the IndyCycle

Explorer3333,

This is IndyCycleFlorida. The rear tire situation is in fact a problem for motorcycle tires. You are correct in that you realistically will only get 3k-4k miles out of a bike tire and it will wear out right in the middle with the sides remaing brand-new. The next thought of course would be to throw on a car tire on that bike rim. I have spoken to the tech department at "Avon Tires" )supplier of the well known 300 and larger tires for choppers) and although looking great mounted to a car rim the beads are different and they didn't recomend doing it for safety reasons. So, thinking in reverse... the car tire won't bead up "safely" to the bike rim. I found a suplier in CA that made me a 17"x11.5 wide car rim, I am using a 315/40/17 tire out back. A custom hub, axle, and of course swingarm are in the works as of now. This setup should give me normal wear and tear on the tire, (exception... very long smokey burn-outs, or DRIFTING!) I am trying desperately to get to Daytona with the "naked" IndyCycle, but we'll see what happens. View my pics on the builders area.
Bryan

---
Bryan Walstrom
IndyCycle Florida
1/9/2007, 9:13 pm Send Email to IndyCycleFlorida   Send PM to IndyCycleFlorida AIM
 
indycyclebuilder
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Re: Questions about the IndyCycle

Thanks for the input, Bryan!

I love how this forum is actually working, and to add to this thread, M, I am actually planning on building an "Econopod" version of the IndyCycle using a 150cc Honda Elite scooter as a donor, but will be departing from the IndyCycle plans quite a bit by using a semi-monocoque body/frame and making most of it out of fiberglass and aluminum (to safe weight). Bryan's comment on the safety issue is absolutely correct, and I would encourage him to post more information on that rear tire/wheel combo for other builders (and myself, once I get the time/money to grab a Hayabusa engine to stuff into the back of my IndyCycle, along with an RC components single-sided swingarm maybe?).

I may end up using a trailer tire for my 'pod, but until I actually start sourcing the parts, I don't exactly know what I will need. Regarding using the IndyCycle as a starting point for your commuter, you are welcome to try, but the open-air aspect and sensitive steering (and low ride) may not make it practical for a daily driver - unless you live in LA and have perfect back roads to travel on.

As for the e-mail support, you can ask any of the regulars to this page if I have been more consistent with communicating via e-mail as compared to this forum (okay, so there was that two-week time over the summer when I was off at National Guard Annual Training, and the other time when AOL was being wonky on my home computer) and hopefully not get any negative responses. I will always try to find a way to respond. Heck, send me your phone number via e-mail and I can call you via my cell phone nights and weekends.

- Jamieson

Last edited by indycyclebuilder, 1/14/2007, 11:09 pm
1/14/2007, 11:08 pm Send Email to indycyclebuilder   Send PM to indycyclebuilder Blog
 
terracer
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Re: Questions about the IndyCycle

As far as building one for high mileage I would look at something like a Kawasaki Vulcan 500 - liquid cooled parallel twin - 50 HP or so and capable of 50 - 60 MPG.. that would be enough power to get out of the way yet get "better than any car" mileage....

I would like to build a 2-seat vehicle with the 500 drivetrain in the rear with an electric golf-cartish type motor driving the front wheels running through an ATV CVT transmission... run electrics in the city - gas on the highway....

It's fun the think about this stuff - isn't it?

regards

Terracer
1/22/2008, 7:17 pm Send Email to terracer   Send PM to terracer
 


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