Street legal trike, good candidate for electrifying

[kfong]

I drove this around town this afternoon and had a blast driving it. It was underpowered and way too noisy, but I kept thinking that it would make a good electric conversion. It felt unstable at 40mph, but I wasn't able to pinpoint the problem. The handling felt loose at higher speeds. I'm hoping it just needed some wheel alignment. It wasn't new. It's around 500 lbs and I didn't mind being in traffic with it. Has anyone else have any experience with this vehicle? I'm thinking this can be my venture into a actual EV. I like the fact that it's street legal, classified as a motorcycle here in Mich. Very light, so electric power would provide good range. Suspension is a bit harsh, but my back didn't seem to mind. Feels like riding a go cart. Has some protection, but it's ability to take up a full lane really made it feel more car like.
Having room for another passenger was really nice. They go for $3000.

http://www.saferwholesale.com/150cc-4-S ... merang.htm

[oatnet]

Huh.

I've been looking for a street-legal 3-wheel platform that costs less than a T-Rex. I might have to go after this one! Put a MarkCycle on the rear - or maybe move the 9" ADC motor from the VW Bus to it...

THANKS FOR POSTING IT!

-JD

[kfong]

Definitely keep me informed if you do. It will be a while before I can gather the stuff to even do this.

[oatnet]

Aw heck, did you see this one?

A mini-me T-rex for $6500:
http://www.saferwholesale.com/250cc-Super-Boomerang-3-Wheel-Cruiser-p/kan%20-%20250cc%20super%20boomerang.htm



Now, THAT is more like it.

-JD






Edit - Add the pictures.

[kfong]

Yeah, but it was priced pass my EV budget, and a lot of the cost would be going towards a gas motor that I would be removing. Body looks nicer, might find a used one for cheap though. I wonder if the steering is the same or improved for higher speeds.

Video, sounds just as loud as the one I drove.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xN_tYWzp ... ata_player

I just looked up the 5th gear t- rex, wow that would be a fun car just the way it is, but sadly way too much money.

[dogman]

Looks like a decent alternative to a neighborhood vehicle to me. At 150cc, not so bad to leave it a gasser for awhile too.

Might be worthwhile to confirm that your state DMV will register it before plunking down too much cash. Florida is where I hear they can be jerks. Some kind a list of approved manufacturers of scooters, which this may fall into that class.

[kfong]

My friend had no problem registering it as a motorcycle. She doesn't even wear a helmet while driving it around town and hasn't been pulled over yet. I had a lot of fun driving it and it seems the perfect direction to go for a really cheap EV vehicle that will be on the road. The motor definitely has too go, could not carry on a conversation while it was running.
At 500lbs, removing the motor and transmission should lighten it quite a bit. Add a motocycle hub or etec motor for a quick conversion and buy a bunch of life cells. It would have good distance being light. Feels safer than a motorcycle since it's wide and is more visible to others. The only drawbacks I see is you are lower to the ground, so your view of the road is less but I didn't have a problem with this while driving it. It's open frame, so not as useful for bad weather. The plus side is the frame can easily be modded for a cover and plexiglass can be installed for a front window. I'm keeping an eye out for one to convert.