As I mentioned offlist, the main issue with these is how to enclose them.
And that is not only for comfort, a significant loss in efficiency comes
from drag, at least at any reasonable speed.

Same problem with most motorcycles and bikes: It's hard to find any that
have a faring for smooth movement through the air.

Didik simply ads a very thin curved sheet of plexy over a PVC tube upper
frame.
http://www.didik.com/dturtle.htm but it is hard (for me) to see how that
could be applied to most trikes or 'cycles.

---
James.
 
 

> -----Original Message-----
> From: piclist-bounces@MIT.EDU 
> [mailto:piclist-bounces@MIT.EDU] On Behalf Of Russell McMahon
> Sent: 2006 May 12, Fri 06:09
> To: PIC List
> Subject: Re: [ee] Basic physics... Bicycle regenerative braking forces
> 
> James especially.
> 
> Stepped out of a shop today and aw a VW "trike" filling at a 
> local gas station. Light bulb moment. This may be the semi 
> ideal starting point for an innovative design.
> 
> It was fairly long with low raked frorks.
> He said it weighed 200 kg all up.
> Engine would be a fair bit of this.
> 
> Conversion to electric of such things would be reasonably 
> trivial. And they are common enough that price should be 
> moderated by market forces. He said his (a pretty one) was 
> worth $NZ10,000 I think.
> 
>     Here's another
> http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes
/Other/auction-56181436.htm
> 
> The tyres and wheels could be thinned right down. Buy as 
> light weight a version as possible. Registration (if they are 
> legal in US) is already taken care of.
> 
> Lots of weight could be shaved off these.
> 
> AND you could adapt for pedal power and drive an alternator 
> directly rather than having chain drive. Some losses of 
> course, but same with chains. Batteries can be hung at 
> various low points. Body work can  be added - and a 
> roof/solar panel or two.
> 
> Weight distributin could be made far better than for original 
> trike if desired.
> 
> Worth a thought.
> 
> 
>                 Russell McMahon
> 
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