Advice on a road legal 3-wheeler

[SPEDcial Forces]

OK. Hi, I'm new to these boards, and what I'm asking about isn't exactly a go-kart, but I figure Go-karts would be the closest thing to what I hope to build.

Basically I got a license suspension for speeding, and my girlfriend is going off to college in the fall. That happens to be about when I'll get it back. Now, to prevent me from going broke from gas prices I need something fuel efficent, and to prevent me from going to fast I need something that feels fast even at slow speeds.

So, with this in mind the logical thing would be to get something like a Celica or an Mx-5 miata. Problem is they're expensive to insure, and not as good on gas as I'd like.

So I got an idea that is probably incredibly stupid, but that I'd like to try and do, which is to build a custom 3-wheeler. My Idea is to get a 2 seat go kart with some front suspension and a bit of ride hight, weld a motorcycle swing arm to the back, and hook up something like 600-800cc four cylender motorcycle engine. The throw on some turn signals, a windshield, a small box witch will be my trunk, and maby use some canvas coaten in fiberglass to make a body (maby...not required).

So. Is this a plausable Idea? How stupid is it? Does anyone know what sort of Kart or kart frame I should use? Does anyone have an idea how I should mount the motorcycle swing arm? How much ground clearance should I try to get?

Also how much do you think I need for this type of thing? Right now I have about 2 grand saved up. I am planning on doing a bit of work once my summerschool is over. Can it be done?

Anyways, I hope I can get some plans togeather and maby make this thing.

 

[ineed2fly]

I guess, buy why do all the work to mod it to a 3 wheler, when a kart comes w/ 4?

 

[SPEDcial Forces]

I guess, buy why do all the work to mod it to a 3 wheler, when a kart comes w/ 4?

Simply because if it has 4, then I'd have to register it as a car. That means all sorts of idiotic requirements on safety, noise, emissions, ect... 3 wheels means it's registered as a motorcyle, which means turn signals, breaks, and the ability to go over 45mph.

 

[risto]

talk to "crazycart"

you'll see his avatar and know why.

 

[SPEDcial Forces]

Thats you risto! I'm going to ask him about it. I'm going to post a crude diagram of my idea in a second, I just have to do it up in paint and upload it.

 

[crazycart]

Well, haha, I just took a motorcycle (82' yamaha XS400) and welded a ATC axle on the rear.(pretty much backwards of what your thinking) Ive seen stuff like this done before, so it is possible. Im just thinking it might be easier to just get a motorcycle lol

 

[SPEDcial Forces]

I was also thinking that. Reason I might want a 3 wheeler is more luggage room, easier controllability, larger size on the road (so people see me), and a little protection from the elements, and a slightly cushier ride.

I've never actually ridden on a motorcycle? How much comphier is the 3-wheeler on long rides? Also how is cornering on that thing? wouldn't you want a differential?

Anyways, here is my plan. Black is the frame, red is the swing arm, green is the engine and drive train.

 

[Kenny_McCormic]

Im just thinking it might be easier to just get a motorcycle lol

Maybe he wants a 4 seasons ride? It wouldn't be THAT hard to get a metro, yugo, festiva, etc involved in a rear end wreck and cut it down to just the front seat row and forward, drop the engine/trans out and sell/trade said engine for a large motorcycle and go from there. Old engine compartment would become trunk.

 

[crazycart]

Well i made it mostly for off road purposes, cornering is...not the greatest on pavement,and i also integrated the bikes suspension(with the exception of a snowmobile shock). If you could find one of the more heavy duty go karts that have the a-arm front susp.,or a half of a small car, this is very possible. You would just need to take off the kart rear suspension, weld on brackets for the bikes swingarm, and mount it all up.

 

[SPEDcial Forces]

Hmmm...problem is then I'm in a metro, yugo, festiva, something car like and heavy, and at that point I might was well get a car.

What about taking a larger touring scooter and weling an axel in front along with the steering system off a go kart?

 

[crazycart]

Anything is possible, but i honestly think it would be easier/better to just get a motorcycle with some luggage boxes on the sides, because if you register a 3 wheeler as a motorcycle, you still need a motorcycle license. And i honestly wouldnt trust a 3 wheeled go kart going down the highway at 70 daily,i dont think the handling would be very good either.

 

[SPEDcial Forces]

Good point.

In the fall I'm going to take the rider training course. It's new england, and so it should go into some of the crappy weather, and I'll see how well I can hold up. This is getting more to motorcycling questions, but what is there that can make long rides more comphy? I know there are heated coats and gloves for the winter, I could probably put more padding in the seat.

I still feel like planning out this thing because it interests me greately, and I have about 3 months to kill before I actually can use anything on the roads again.

Also, I mentione the idea of building something small up...what if I tore something big (like a car) down? Take something small, fuel efficent and sporty, like a celica, a prelude, a protege or something of that sort. Rip as much pannaling as possible out. Rip the Rear doors off and just cover it up with a light piece of fiber glass. Take everything off that I can without it flunking sinspection. How would that work?

 

[risto]

you could just take a car and knock one wheel off....


hah, kidding.

 

[ineed2fly]

So do you want 2 wheels in the front and 1 in the back then? Because that would be seriously bad-***, and all you would need to do is get a kart (like u said 2 seater, but have 1 center mounted seat) and then cut a bike in half right after the engine, and weld it on, then stretch canvas over it, glass it, and paint it. Twould be sexy! Kinda makes me want to do this, instead of getting a VW Thing.

 

[SPEDcial Forces]

Thats basically my original plan.

 

[ed1380]

http://www.ccpc.net/~jaho/on3wheel.php

 

[redcali]

Good point.

This is getting more to motorcycling questions, but what is there that can make long rides more comphy? I know there are heated coats and gloves for the winter, I could probably put more padding in the seat.

i dont mean to burst your bubble but, have you ever been into a motorcycle store and looked at prices of motorcycle gear?
my neighbour has a moto and has more money in gear than you have in total savings, and that is not including a bike.. most motorcycle stores will tell you to budget roughly 1k for cheap gear or 2 plus for decent gear and depending on location you may need summer and winter gear.

Also, I mentione the idea of building something small up...what if I tore something big (like a car) down? Take something small, fuel efficent and sporty, like a celica, a prelude, a protege or something of that sort. Rip as much pannaling as possible out. Rip the Rear doors off and just cover it up with a light piece of fiber glass. Take everything off that I can without it flunking sinspection. How would that work?

i think, if this is a possibility and you are less concerned about fuel prices and speed etc then why strip it and not just use the car? this way you know you have a safe vehicle, are comfortable and out of the elements and also the vehicle atleast retains Some of its resale value, then you build a project vehicle for other use

 

[ineed2fly]

I would look for a dirtbike, then you have suspension! And pretty cheap on CL.

 

[ineed2fly]

Ohh....http://unitas.lunarpages.com/~norton2/

 

[carbon]

holy wow
you better build this thing well or you will go down hard
that said, it would probably look alot cooler if you built it yourself from fiberglass
you could make a kind of crazy 3 wheel lotus-seven or something
actually making this thing streetworthy would be brutal, mostly on your ***