Electric Bikes Conversion Kits EMTBS eRoad/Commuting What's New?

Covered E Trike

E

eddieo

Banned
Jul 7, 2008
5,070
6
Ah...That is really cute:D

safer then a low down recumbent I would think.
 
jerrysimon

jerrysimon

Esteemed Pedelecer
Aug 27, 2009
3,292
112
Cambridge, UK
I think the music sets the tone really well and adds a lot to the video.

Regards

Jerry
 
flecc

flecc

Member
Oct 25, 2006
53,560
30,849
carpetbagger said:
and they still wore a helmet !
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No doubt for protection when the first gust of sidewind throws it onto it's side, it's impractical.

The only fairings that are practical are the velomobile ones which are well rounded off and cool too:

 
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jerrysimon

jerrysimon

Esteemed Pedelecer
Aug 27, 2009
3,292
112
Cambridge, UK
OMG flecc I had fogotten about the wind.

I bet that thing would go over in a second with one big gust on a UK winter day :eek:

Regards

Jerry
 
C

carpetbagger

Esteemed Pedelecer
Nov 20, 2007
744
18
blackburn
a large truck/bus would have blown it over !
 
flecc

flecc

Member
Oct 25, 2006
53,560
30,849
Scimitar said:
Hey, there used to be lots of old 50s sidecars mouldering in sheds. :)
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The Blackburns were a bit slab sided and wind prone, though the Swallow ones were nicely streamlined like velomobile fairings.

Miscellaneous fact: William Lyons company Swallow Sidecars were actually the start of the Jaguar car company, hence the first Jaguar (which was a Standard saloon with a Swallow body) actually being called the SS Jaguar, SS being the company then and Jaguar just a model name for that one.

After the Nazis discredited the SS name in WW2, that couldn't be continued so Jaguar was made the car company name post war, and the sidecar company floated off separately with it's old name of Swallow Sidecars.
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wurly

wurly

Esteemed Pedelecer
Aug 2, 2008
501
9
Yeovil, Somerset
Thats exactly what i was thinking.
I've had a few ideas of biulding something like this only more low and swoopy like the bluesky aerocoupe Blue Sky Design.
I guess it would have to be registered as a trike, pass the new BIVA test, tax insurance and mot. All possible, but where can you use it? Todays roads just aren't safe for something like this!!
 
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flecc

flecc

Member
Oct 25, 2006
53,560
30,849
jbond said:
I'm trying to imagine how this would be road legal. Especially with more electric power. Where the hell does it fit in the road regulations?
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As you imply, they generally aren't legal in the UK, either because the motor is rated over 250 watts or they exceed 60 kilos weight.

Europe doesn't have the trike weight limit so they have more possibilities.
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J

jbond

Esteemed Pedelecer
Jul 29, 2010
411
2
Ware, Herts
www.voidstar.com
flecc said:
As you imply, they generally aren't legal in the UK, either because the motor is rated over 250 watts or they exceed 60 kilos weight.
Europe doesn't have the trike weight limit so they have more possibilities.
.
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Well not legal in the UK as a pedelec. But perhaps they can be made legal as a lightweight electric motorcycle. But that means Plates, Tax, MOT, Helmet, License etc.
 
D

daniel.weck

Esteemed Pedelecer
Aug 8, 2009
1,229
2
flecc

flecc

Member
Oct 25, 2006
53,560
30,849
jbond said:
Well not legal in the UK as a pedelec. But perhaps they can be made legal as a lightweight electric motorcycle. But that means Plates, Tax, MOT, Helmet, License etc.
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Of course, but the hassle can be considerable since vehicle type approval is also necessary before registration will be considered. If it isn't listed with the DVLT or there's no SVA with the application it can't be registered.

As for the vehicle class the way to go is to use the same one as the Reliant Robins, three wheeler car without reverse gear. That way if one has a motorcycle driving licence you're ok, or if you have any car driving licence you're ok.

Registered as a motorcycle trike could mean a CBT is necessary, a pain if a motorcycle licence isn't already held.
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J

jbond

Esteemed Pedelecer
Jul 29, 2010
411
2
Ware, Herts
www.voidstar.com
flecc said:
Of course, but the hassle can be considerable since vehicle type approval is also necessary before registration will be considered. If it isn't listed with the DVLT or there's no SVA with the application it can't be registered.

As for the vehicle class the way to go is to use the same one as the Reliant Robins, three wheeler car without reverse gear. That way if one has a motorcycle driving licence you're ok, or if you have any car driving licence you're ok.

Registered as a motorcycle trike could mean a CBT is necessary, a pain if a motorcycle licence isn't already held.
.
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Yup. Was Talking to Cedric Lynch about this today. His current bike was registered when SVA was pretty easy. He's embarking on another similar project and felt SVA wasn't too bad but it is still quite a hassle. Lots of kit car people go through this and get away with it. My custom M/C friends just arrange that a small part of an original bike is still in the new vehicle with the original chassis plate!

BTW. Some interesting stats on Cedric's machine. Agni motor (naturally) running at 2500-3000 rpm. 50V-100AHr of Thundersky battery. Bruisa (sp?) controller. 3:1 belt drive to a 26" bicycle wheel. Top speed 60mph. Range >200 miles. He's got a target on the next one of Lands End to John O Groats on one charge.
 
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