Engine behind seatpost?

UncleKudzu · #1 09-26-2009, 07:31 PM

my latest idea for the bike i never actually finish is a slightly stretched frame with the engine sitting on the extended chain stays. lower center-of-gravity, less obvious engine, shorter drive chain, and easier clearance for peddling are the advantages i'm imagining. sort of a cargo stretch with an engine is what i'm picturing.

has anyone done this yet? any reasons why it's a bad idea? feedback please (even Walter's).

Kevlarr · #2 09-26-2009, 08:02 PM

I can almost picture this, stretched frame with say an S curve in the seat post with the engine between the seat post and rear tire.

UncleKudzu · #3 09-26-2009, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevlarr

...with the engine between the seat post and rear tire.

yes! think of something like the Surly Big Dummy with an engine sitting in the triangle behind the seatpost.

UncleKudzu · #4 09-27-2009, 12:57 PM

something like the rough illustration below. maybe something along the lines of those Micargi stretch cruisers, but with taller rear stays...

bbb · #5 09-27-2009, 02:43 PM

mine has it with friction drive

UncleKudzu · #6 09-27-2009, 04:57 PM

thanks, bbb! that's very close to what i'm imagining. and now i have a picture to help me day dream/plan :-)

that just seems like a good place for the engine.

bbb · #7 09-28-2009, 01:22 PM

Common ? i get is about it being off center...never noticed it at all and it is only 5lbs or so.
In fact...when on its side stand it has more of a tendency to want to fall over the opposite way.

Elmo · #8 09-28-2009, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UncleKudzu

my latest idea for the bike i never actually finish is a slightly stretched frame with the engine sitting on the extended chain stays. lower center-of-gravity, less obvious engine, shorter drive chain, and easier clearance for peddling are the advantages i'm imagining. sort of a cargo stretch with an engine is what i'm picturing.

has anyone done this yet? any reasons why it's a bad idea? feedback please (even Walter's).

Something like this?
Elmo

Elmo · #9 09-28-2009, 01:45 PM

Here is my recumbent in progress.
Elmo

skou · #10 09-28-2009, 02:00 PM

just want to post a pichture of a danish made moped with the engine in the same spot where you plan to place yours. Imageshack - skodir0.png
also ive got a frame of the same type where i plan on installing a ht engine sometime in the future