Alt Bike Culture - velocar

Anyone doing a Velocar? I got a steering unite from a geo.A set of wheels from a wheelchair.Mostly just collecting parts as of now.Looking for examples or ideas.---sam

Google for velomobile, microcar, three wheeled cars, history of velomobiles.
You will need a lot of spare time :), I have hit most sites over the last couple of years and have a velomobile 90% complete in the family room (have hit a delay due to a broken rib).
Mine is based on a recumbent trike and has a fully enclosed aerodynamic fairing now built on it. The entire shell weighs about 4 kg and is built of Coroplast with small sections of aluminium and pvc framing inside.
If you have hills where you ride watch for weight build up and fit lots of gears or consider an electric assist.
Good luck with it as it is a fun project with potential for very high speeds on the flats and down hill.
I have attached a velo plan from the WW2 era as I can't find the link at the moment, If you would like it I have the mechanical layout as well but will need to modify the file to upload.

That looks like what I'd like to do only for two people using 4 wheels.Something along the lines of using two sturmey archer rear 3 speeds to drive it.We rode a very heavy pedal car---rented it for an hour to ride it along the sidewalk. One hour was plenty!It was fun , but something a lot lighter with gears(at least 3)and built in a recumbent style seating,might really be a blast! ---sam

Photos, people, we need photos!

Not your classic ALT. bike but definateley not normal.:eek:
Took it for its first spin today, it's fast, warm (it's winter here), comfortable, ignores head winds and it's fast.:D
The rear light is a modified (to be drastically brighter) bike indicator, tail light and brake light, as you can't put an arm out to indicate direction.

Fastest human-powered bathtub...

Here, I have what you're looking for. I saw this last week on The Discover Channel's 'Daily Planet'

Top speed of 70km/h!

http://www.exn.ca/dailyplanet/view.asp?date=6/6/2006

The third story on the list includes a video clip of the Velo-mobile designed and created by a guy out in B.C. Enjoy

Lots more here over here:

http://www.velomobiling.net/

Man, that is so kewl geebee! Pat yourself on the back.

Not your classic ALT. bike but definitely not normal.:eek:
Took it for its first spin today, it's fast, warm (it's winter here), comfortable, ignores head winds and it's fast.:D

Very Nice, big props deserved!

I have attached a velo plan from the WW2 era as I can't find the link at the moment, If you would like it I have the mechanical layout as well but will need to modify the file to upload.

Geebee,

This is fascinating!

Please post any more information that you have on the ww2 velomobile.

Thanks,

Phil.

Here is the other half of the plan, I will see if I can dig up some sites and post.
Also a picture of what I think is one of the most stunning current versions of a velomobile.
But I do love the old WW2 era ones.

Here are some links if one is interested in velomobiles:

The people who make my Quest
http://www.velomobiel.nl/

Mary A's site
http://www.velomobiling.net/

My friends North American Velomobilist Site
http://www.velomobiles.net/

Blue Velo - Toronto CA velomobile dealer
http://www.bluevelo.com/

US Manufacturer of the Alleweder velomobile
http://www.velomobileusa.com/

BC, CA manufacturer of delta style velomobile called the Aurora
http://www.nimbuskayaks.com/velomobile%20mainpage.htm

Enjoy!

Not your classic ALT. bike but definateley not normal.:eek:
Took it for its first spin today, it's fast, warm (it's winter here), comfortable, ignores head winds and it's fast.:D
The rear light is a modified (to be drastically brighter) bike indicator, tail light and brake light, as you can't put an arm out to indicate direction.

That is an amazing piece of work geebee. What is Coroplast like to use to build bodyshells? I've considered all manner of materials ranging from plywood to recycled newspaper laid over netting to make a bodyshell. I even thought about building a wickerwork body, - though I do realise that this wouldn't be very aerodymanic.

This link will give you a good idea of how easy Corflute is to work with. http://velomobilebuild.fotopic.net/c1349068.html
It's great all you really need is a sharp knife, cable ties, gaffer tape and something to poke holes for the cable ties.
You can do an entire build inside.

That was really interesting and informative. I've seen other somewhat underwhelming 'how-tos' on the internet, but your photo series made it an easy to understand process. I noted that the photos were dated 2005, - so how has the bodyshell stood up to use and were there any issues with longtern durability?

The body is in great condition still, the tape is getting a bit ratty and could do with replacement but that is to do with driver abuse off road :).
I have had an aluminium bracket fatigue and break, I have pulled my shoe out of the pedal drag racing cars and kicked a pvc pipe in half and had a couple of cable ties break.
The shell is supported so that any one part failing does not disable the trike in fact in both cases it took a lot of distance before realising that anything broke.
I keep a tarp (cut to fit) over it and store it in a pergola to stop UV getting to the Corflute, it has tons of life in it still as the corflute seems as good as new.

Thanks for that geebee :) Sounds like Corflute is a lot more durable than I thought it was.