Jeff in considering a vehicle very similar, but a notch lighter than the
BugE, a high powered three wheel bicycle essentially, the visibility
problem came up. Nobody in my informal poll would get in a recumbent
vehicle and ride in traffic, including some serious cyclists. So a
recumbent, low drag body raised above the ground is a pretty darn good
compromise. With the state of roads, super-low is problematic anyway. Or
I'd build a BugE style vehicle and damn the aero, or maybe make it
movable from low-slung to upright. Once you give up pedal-power, the
aero disadvantage at speeds below 50 mph seems less important than the
safety. ( of course I have already left behind all the cage drivers who
want airbags, guard rails and 500 lb bumpers)
Good luck with yours.
John
Jeffrey Blamey wrote:
The... My preference is to enclose the front tires in a
roadster body work and a lower center of gravity.
I am working on a less aerodynamic two seater design utilizing torsion
bar front suspension from a mini-pickup, and a mono-shock rear
suspension, the motor weight near the pivot point but on the swing
arm. Vehicle weight goal around 1200 lbs. 12 AGM batteries to keep the
cost/weight low. 30 mile range and top speed of 65. Composite body
over a tube frame.
Jeff
