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Let's Talk Cyclecars

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Bigcheese327, Dec 4, 2007.

  1. banjeaux bob
    Joined: Aug 31, 2008
    Posts: 6,614

    banjeaux bob
    Member
    from alaska

    Although Jim posted quite bit on this thread I don't think it was his greatest area of interest.To me one indicator was a question he asked me over the phone once..."what are you trying to accomplish on the cyclecar thready?".
    More than likely as it sat near the Pietenpol on display. 100_3774.JPG
     
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  2. SR100
    Joined: Nov 26, 2013
    Posts: 1,130

    SR100
    Member

    This showed up in the Images of Vintage Gas Stations thread a while back:
    upload_2019-6-22_6-41-55.jpeg
    As far as I can tell it is a 1934 Singer Le Mans Sports Saloon. The registration is from Middlesex in 1934.
     
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  3. culpspecial
    Joined: Apr 18, 2007
    Posts: 10

    culpspecial
    Member


    I have never seen the front cowl on a Model A engine used in anything that I am familiar with. I have seen some pics of early airplanes with a similar cowl and that looks factory. Of course there have been about as many airplane manufacturers as auto in the US. Auto manufacturers seems like about 2500 different makes. Problem is we are losing all those guys that might have know what some of that stuff was. I am talking with people via Facebook to help them with solving problems these days that my mentors helped me with years ago. Oh, year. I am building an Amilcar knockoff cyclecar with a straight 8 engine. So I am still in the cyclecar thread.<grin>
     

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  4. 64 DODGE 440
    Joined: Sep 2, 2006
    Posts: 4,421

    64 DODGE 440
    Member
    from so cal

    You need to have a build thread on that Amilcar knockoff. We need more information.
     
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  5. culpspecial
    Joined: Apr 18, 2007
    Posts: 10

    culpspecial
    Member


    If you have ever followed a Harley down the road and looked at the chain it looks as though the sprockets are off center as the chain is has rhythm to it. A multi cylinder other brand it will usually be smooth. It is the harmonic pulses of the Vtwin engine and I would guess it might be hard straight linked to a gearbox. Would urethane joint help?
     
    Last edited: Jun 25, 2019
  6. culpspecial
    Joined: Apr 18, 2007
    Posts: 10

    culpspecial
    Member

    Be happy to start a blog. I am getting to the end of this one and have another lined up to go. Do I just add to the bottom of the page with a response to build a thread or? I am somewhat saddened that the gag pic I use on my profile has never been identified. It is CSX 2602 Cobra Dayton Coupe! I figured some Cobra guys would flip seeing this! Hahahaha Thank you, Steve
     
  7. culpspecial
    Joined: Apr 18, 2007
    Posts: 10

    culpspecial
    Member

    Here are a few pics. I have the wiring harness done and getting ready to finish the body. All systems are run. Except for the ones I missed! <grin>
     

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  8. Stueeee
    Joined: Oct 21, 2015
    Posts: 305

    Stueeee
    Member
    from Kent, UK

    That looks great. Those skinny beaded edge rims should ensure an interesting ride with all those horses up front:)
     
  9. culpspecial
    Joined: Apr 18, 2007
    Posts: 10

    culpspecial
    Member

    Well, yeah! Makes an interesting ride with less horsepower! Hahahaha Thank you. Oh, and there really are not a lot of horses up front. About 150. It is a 263 but it should have some torque. And it is really smooth!
     
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  10. fredvv44
    Joined: Dec 11, 2013
    Posts: 620

    fredvv44
    Member

    you can build a blog page for free using www.blogger.com
    I just started one for my latest Morgan build. www.52morganfsuper.blogspot.com
    Also see my other blog in my signature line.
    It is very easy to use; you just type text and click to add photos.
     
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  11. Rolfzoller
    Joined: Apr 30, 2014
    Posts: 395

    Rolfzoller
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  12. foolthrottle
    Joined: Oct 14, 2005
    Posts: 1,402

    foolthrottle
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  13. Rolfzoller
    Joined: Apr 30, 2014
    Posts: 395

    Rolfzoller
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  14. fredvv44
    Joined: Dec 11, 2013
    Posts: 620

    fredvv44
    Member

    I wonder where Chapman got the design idea from for the Lotus Elan?
     
  15. SR100
    Joined: Nov 26, 2013
    Posts: 1,130

    SR100
    Member

    I'm pretty sure the 1st & 3rd pics are of the first car mentioned at the end of the article. The chassis & steering boxes are different. Both cars appear to use the same Salmson engine.
    What the Wyss special most reminds me of is a larger, front-engined version of a San Giusto (Italy, 1923):
    S.Giusto.jpg
     
  16. fredvv44
    Joined: Dec 11, 2013
    Posts: 620

    fredvv44
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    Last edited: Jul 13, 2019
  17. SR100
    Joined: Nov 26, 2013
    Posts: 1,130

    SR100
    Member

    I wonder how the curved windshield worked out in real life:
    Bantam.jpg
     
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  18. fredvv44
    Joined: Dec 11, 2013
    Posts: 620

    fredvv44
    Member

    In my Morgan my head is just above the windscreen and I get it right in the face.
     
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  19. banjeaux bob
    Joined: Aug 31, 2008
    Posts: 6,614

    banjeaux bob
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    from alaska

  20. fredvv44
    Joined: Dec 11, 2013
    Posts: 620

    fredvv44
    Member

    I've always wondered how they adjusted the belt tension on those cars.
     
  21. banjeaux bob
    Joined: Aug 31, 2008
    Posts: 6,614

    banjeaux bob
    Member
    from alaska

    gravity?
     
  22. Ned Ludd
    Joined: May 15, 2009
    Posts: 5,025

    Ned Ludd
    Member

    On perhaps a bit of a tangent, I've been thinking about motorcycle-engined cars again. The perennial problem is, of course, how to rig a reverse gear. Add to that my intuition that the greater weight of a car really wants a wider spread of gear ratios than a typical motorbike gearbox provides. So, what we'd want would be an auxiliary gearbox with a reverse gear of roughly the same ratio as the forward gear, plus an overdrive.

    Provided one could be built light and with low enough internal friction, there is such a thing. It's called a Powerglide.

    As the motorcycle gearbox already incorporates a clutch the PG could be used without a torque converter. I wouldn't be entirely happy subjecting a lightweight motorcycle clutch to everyday use in a heavier vehicle, so there might be something to be said for a torque converter behind the motorcycle gearbox. And that line of thinking prompted me to calculate stall speeds through the motorcycle gear ratios. That gets interesting.

    Taking a representative UJM, with a 5-speed all-indirect gearbox and which produces 48lb.ft @ 7500rpm, the converter will see:
    112lb.ft @ 3210rpm in 1st gear,
    85lb.ft @ 2290rpm in 2nd gear,
    66lb.ft @ 5440rpm in 3rd gear,
    54lb.ft @ 6670rpm in 4th gear, and
    46lb.ft @ 7800rpm in 5th gear​
    For purposes of illustrating what happens next I've assumed a K=140 converter. That means a stall speed in engine rpm of:
    3450rpm in 1st gear,
    2290rpm in 2nd gear,
    1570rpm in 3rd gear,
    1030rpm in 4th gear, and
    910rpm in 5th gear​
    That might even obviate the need for a TCC.

    But be that as it may. Carry on ...
     
  23. fredvv44
    Joined: Dec 11, 2013
    Posts: 620

    fredvv44
    Member

    Bike powered race cars are required to have a rev. box so a lot of work has been done in that area. There was one that had a shifting overdrive.

    My experience with my JZR, with Guzzi engine, is that first gear is quite a high ratio and I have to slip the clutch a bit to get it going. Top end is about 95 MPH. The bike would do 110, so there is your weight difference. I haven't been able to get anybody to ride with me at full speed to see what the passenger weight difference is; LOL.
    reverse motor.jpg
    My JZR has an electric reverse. There is a tilt plate next to the driveshaft that has a bike starter motor mounted. There is a gear welded to the driveshaft. The plate is tilted by a lever to mesh the starter gear to the driveshaft. It works quite well on level ground and is intended to just get me out of a parking spot.
     
  24. JackdaRabbit
    Joined: Jul 15, 2008
    Posts: 498

    JackdaRabbit
    Member
    from WNC

    I think the added weight and bulk of a Powerglide would neccesitate a larger than usual cyclecar and therefore a larger than average cycle engine.
     
  25. My money says the difference is due to frontal area/drag, not weight... more weight slows acceleration, not top speed.

    When I was considering putting a bike engine into a boat (long story) I was looking into using the reverse mechanism off an outboard's lower end.. Never got far enough into it to really work it out though.
     
  26. banjeaux bob
    Joined: Aug 31, 2008
    Posts: 6,614

    banjeaux bob
    Member
    from alaska

    there is a transmission with reverse made for the BMW air cooled twins.It is quite expensive.
     
  27. banjeaux bob
    Joined: Aug 31, 2008
    Posts: 6,614

    banjeaux bob
    Member
    from alaska

    67740572_10156400113990770_1044712779996463104_n.jpg Austin Seven special built by Alan Wragg.
     
  28. banjeaux bob
    Joined: Aug 31, 2008
    Posts: 6,614

    banjeaux bob
    Member
    from alaska

    s-l1600.jpg The transmission from a Crosley is rather small and has reverse.
     
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  29. fredvv44
    Joined: Dec 11, 2013
    Posts: 620

    fredvv44
    Member

    I think that might be true. I can feel a difference in acceleration with the wife on board.
     
  30. fredvv44
    Joined: Dec 11, 2013
    Posts: 620

    fredvv44
    Member

    Love the Austin 7 Bob.
     

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