Voiturette à pédales à fabriquer

GoldenMotor.com

MEASURE TWICE

Well-Known Member
Jul 13, 2010
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I was not going for a better laminar flow as the HPV have done like the above post from way back when. I am though figuring on a Art Fish Look for my modified dirt bike modular conversion. Though I thought even though it's skeleton frame is to cover with fabric, I could later change to something smooth to get better efficiency. If I remove the fish tail and just use the body cigar shape that may do.

An extra long exhaust to put the CO out side the cover surely is necessary.

MT
 

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wheelbender6

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Sep 4, 2008
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I think the modern velomobiles like Otero posted make great year round, all weather (mostly) commuters.
Some like the appearance and some don't.
If I want to pedal around the hood or to the store, I'll take a vintage styled long wheelbase velomobile like the Voiturette.
If I'm pedaling to work on a windy 34deg F morning, I'll take the modern, short wheelbase starwars velomobile.
I need a larger garage before I can do either.
 

Otero

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Feb 1, 2010
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I like the banana seat & tank, M2; it has the look of a
true rikimbili.
As for the velos, I'm not crazy about the look, but 53 mph
pedaling is kinda impressive. I bet it wouldn't be hard to
hide a motor in one. They do draw attention though; I know
of a guy stopped by the law 4 times in a couple weeks
because he was going so fast they thought it had to have
a motor.
 

16v4nrbrgr

Active Member
Mar 17, 2012
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This one with the aluminum strap supported skin looks like it would turn into a million sharp edges if you happened to bump it into anything! lol

This one looks like a great design for a shell for a reverse trike with pods over the front wheels, I don't think it would be too fun stopping at an intersection and trying to balance a velocar with enclosed doors! lol

I think you would need to exercise extreme caution around traffic with a velocar, since you're kinda stuck in it and can't bail out quickly to avoid "becoming one with the car".:eek:
 

wheelbender6

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Sep 4, 2008
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I have seen some gas assisted velomobiles. Electric assist is more common. Add a rear hub motor and there is a lot of room for batteries behind the seat.
This e-trike is currently for sale on my local craigslist.
 

Otero

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Feb 1, 2010
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xct2That electric looks like a perfect candidate to velo. What else do
you know about it? Watts? battery voltage? Where? How much?
Motor make?
Looks to be wicked fast.
I can't quite grasp the holes in the alu strap bike. I guess they're
to reduce drag, but somehow I think they'd act as a drag chute
instead.
 
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Intrepid Wheelwoman

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Oct 29, 2011
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The fall over factor is why I'd want to stay firmly in the three wheels camp. As much as I admire the Mochet streamlined velocars from 1933 I'd never want to own one because I know very well that the inevitable would quickly happen.
The cool factor with something like the voiturette is always going to be a big plus and the other advantage is that it looks like a car which means that it would have a better road presence.



Electric assist is something I'd definitely want to try should I build one of these three wheelers as I've had a really good experience with the electric conversion I did on my Hercules tricycle.
 

wheelbender6

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Sep 4, 2008
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Here is the only details provided by the seller:
"Based on the KMX Typhoon with 26" rear wheel, 500 watt motor.
Range at 20 mph is 25 miles."
From the pics, I'd say it is 48v but the seller provided no battery details.
I think its a deal, but too soon after Christmas for me.
Here's the link if you want to contact the seller.
http://houston.craigslist.org/bik/4254431248.html
 

Otero

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Feb 1, 2010
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Wheela,
Perhaps this unit is more to your liking, more upright,
looks stable, 750 watt(1 hp), with a solar panel roof
that can fully charge it in 7hr,(or just plug it in).
Its really quite similar to the paper mache built, just
considerably more hi-tech. Sensors gauge pedal effort
& tell the motor to match it. Pretty fast, but it's got
space for groceries, etc. The one shown appears to be
a two seater, .... if the one in back is seriously emaciated.
 

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Otero

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Feb 1, 2010
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Do these help? Then there's this one that accordian's into a cottage.
From the inside looks like you could put your feet down and go
Flintstone if anything broke.:)
 

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Otero

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Feb 1, 2010
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Reminds me of the old guy on 'laugh in' who'd pedal
a trike ten feet & fall over. At least this would keep his
clothes clean.
 

Intrepid Wheelwoman

New Member
Oct 29, 2011
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Hauraki District, New Zealand
Wheela,
Perhaps this unit is more to your liking, more upright,
looks stable, 750 watt(1 hp), with a solar panel roof
that can fully charge it in 7hr,(or just plug it in).
Its really quite similar to the paper mache built, just
considerably more hi-tech. Sensors gauge pedal effort
& tell the motor to match it. Pretty fast, but it's got
space for groceries, etc. The one shown appears to be
a two seater, .... if the one in back is seriously emaciated.
That trike and the Elf very much reminds me of some of the light vehicle experiments that were being developed in France and Europe during the 1940's and 1950's.

It almost goes without saying that I don't like that yellow egg thing at all.

Autelec


Ardex



Voiture Minimum
 
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Otero

Member
Feb 1, 2010
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Those older models are boxier, but I'd think simpler
to construct. If one doesn't mind the lack of rounded
contours, I think 4' x 8' sheets of corrugated plastic
would be an excellent light weight material to use.
It's light, flexible, waterproof, and inexpensive. It
would be relatively easy to build a squarish version
of the Elf,(the troll?), with thin plexiglas for vision.
That last one above looks like the precursor of the
Deux Chaveau,(sp.?), the snail. I hardly think the
first two would be fast enough to need a wind shield,
just unnecessary drag.
 
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