60 MPG - Trad Rod Style?

I had a 360cc Subaru R-2 when I was stationed in Japan in the late 70s. Was by no means fast, but a ton of fun to drive. Since it had no noticeable excess power, you could drive it like a race car all the time, and the only one that would know was you. Had a four gallon gas tank, filled it up every month. Really a shitbox of a car, but bought it cheap, drove it hard, and it got me around pretty well for over three years.

If you were a little more ambitious, I think almost any kind of ordinary motorcycle engine in the 750-1500cc range would make it go like stink.

 

Gent in Newport, Arkansas has a glass full fendered 32 For Vicky with an Isuzu four hole deisel motor. Drives it all over the country and gets 50 mpg plus.

 

My lakes style roadster is going to be 1400-1500 lbs, I am using a 2000 cc Ford Zetec engine, Hilborn electronic injection, T5 tranny, early Hildebrand quickien and I fully expect over 30-40 MPG when she is in in over drive with 3.50 gears in the QC.
Rex

 

Did someone say Moto-Guzzi??

Powertrain here is 1100 Guzzi.

 

I think 60 mpg is a bit lofty of a goal. Most motorcycles in the US can't deliver 60 mpg. The Suzuki GS500 gets about 50 mpg on average, makes about 55 hp and weighs about 400 pounds.

 

damn, I don't like 3 wheelers too much but that Guzzi is sweet.

 

No, it's not...

The issue with a bike isn't weight - it's aerodynamics. If you've ever participated in a car/bike race; the bike pulls away initally, but if the car has the beans to hang with the bike, it will eventually overtake the two-wheeler on the top end.

 

Funny, 3 days ago, I was at the Imperial Palace in LV and saw the black Morgan on pg.1 and was wondering why there aren't some modern HD V2 versions.

I'd make it rear drive. It would be cool, fast, sound good and have plenty of speed parts available.

You could use the back half of a wrecked bike. a T-bucket and use a simple and nearly free VW steering and front suspension

 

How about this one?
3/4 scale '32 Ford - Jaxports Streetster



http://www.jaxports.com/streester.html

It's designed to be Harley or other bike engine powered.

 

I'd really like to build a midget. It's very traditional. It would be fun to buzz around in a big go-kart.

 

That was built a couple of years ago by the Swedish dude on Boyd Coddington's crew, for a downhill race similar to a big $$ soap box derby. Pretty kool looking. It actually finished the race pretty well against big-time factory sponsored cars that compete every year.

 

[QUOTE="HOTROD";1842963]I don't know anything about this or who's it is but it came to mind when I saw the title to this thread,

Just add small motor....[/QUOTE]
I was referring to this green one.

 

Rand Man....I'll sell you this project.

 

Maybe some bikes, but crotch rockets.....even the 600's now.....will walk most every street car in the long run. 600 Supersport bikes are running in the 10's off the showroom floor nowadays and the bigger bikes are faster yet. So your statement may have a bit of truth to it, but not a lot.

But the key is aerodynamics for sure. Whether it's a bike or a car, good aerodynamics help mpg.

 

Post #92 is the one you are talking about I think.

 

This thread inspired this friday art show sketch...

 

Just another option. The messerschmitt car.





-Jeff

 

Y'know...I had a chance to test the theory about two weeks back; the bike (a Yam FJR) and the DD went at it from a 75 roll. Car jumped bike 2 lengths; bike took most of it back from 75-100, then hung at the back bumper to terminal velocity.

 

THAT looks effin' bitchin. REALLY like it!

 

What about 2 rear wheels? Why could you get 2 motors to power each rear wheel.

 

should've tried to with something that wasn't an overweight touring bike...

 

I have recently been toying with the idea of a VW based vehicle, 3 wheel, built like an older light aircraft. Plywood bulkheads with spruce stringers then covered with aircraft fabric. Dope the fabric then add your paint. Very light construction and an aerodynamic shape would certainly add up to good mileage. A powertrain of your choosing could be used instead of the VW.

 

How about something a little more 'traditional' ?

CC

 

Here's a web site about a 3 wheeler that gets 100 MPG in real world driving (restricted to 40MPH or so) using a Honda Elite 150cc water cooled scooter drive train and two front ends from the same model:

http://mysite.verizon.net/vze6omtd/jorysquibb/id1.html

 

HOLY CRAP! no freaking way...I was just thinking about sketching something almost exactly like this the other day but I hadn't gotten around to doing it. Someone build this quick!

 

This is pretty interesting , especially the starter being used for a reverse info.

http://www.finkbuilt.com/blog/suburba-car-diy-3-wheeler/

 

Have you seen his DD? Talk about overweight...Roadmaster wagon!

 

I WAS JUST ABOUT TO POST PICS OF THIS SAME CAR.... I NEED TO FIND MY VEGAS PICS FROM LAST YEAR. THIS MUSUEM IN THE TROPICANA WAS PRETTY COOL.

 

Here's my two examples. They were both daily drivers for a while, but were sold for other vehicles.

1968 Plymouth Valiant - 32 MPG freeway!!

I was getting an honest 32+ mpg freeway, 28-29 mpg town with this thing, and I savagely beat on it everytime we went out.
225 slant six with capacitive discharge ignition, headers, 4 speed OD tranny, 3.23 one legger, and a few holes in the floorpan. Looked like shit, ran like gold.

1950 Dodge Coronet Sedan - roughly 25-27 MPG freeway (no speedo, but calculated the gallons vs. miles)

We put a slant six into this, with electronic ignition, and a 3 speed stick, with a 2.76 rearend, and roughly calculated the mileage to be in the high 20's on the freeway going to Paso one year. There was little to no real engineering involved. It was a blast with open 2" pipes, and had it been a TWO DOOR, we may have kept it.




I just wonder what the Valiant's drivetrain would have gotten in a dropped and channeled fenderless Model A roadster with a track nose.... Hmmmm......

 

Get 10 MPG and commute shorter