DIY Aptera knockoff?

[bigmoose]

Yes, I emailed to the link about a year to two years ago, and never received a reply. Never figured out how to get in touch with him. I would have to search old emails to see if the email address has changed.

... why search, I just sent off a new email. Will post if he returns my inquiry.

[Joseph C.]

I've been dreaming/planning a similar build for some time. I pretty much have it all sorted out in my head, but have yet to put anything down on paper. Basically you guys are over thinking this. Instead of shooting for a "licensed" motorcycle class vehicle, you should be looking at just an extended velomobile. A leaning tadpole trike with front to back seating for 2. You build it so that the second seat is more of a rumble seat that folds down for when no one is using it or you want/need to carry cargo. You make the seated area of the front driver wide enough so that the rear persons legs sit along side the front driver. A simple chromo frame/roll cage would offer enough protection for both occupants in the event of a crash. You really don't need a full on roll cage for speeds under 60-70 mph. So a minimalist design to the cage can be achieved, saving a lot of weight. Doing the design like this would allow for the vehicle to still be narrow enough to not be too much of a bother to other traffic in the bike lane. For a drive system you would either need a large hub on the rear with plenty of battery or an RC setup for best efficiency. Because of weight you are going to have to at least use moped rims, but they are still small enough to not require much more bulk in mounting hardware.

Perhaps it would be easiest to convert an existing structure such as a pedicab?

[Hillhater]

...You really don't need a full on roll cage for speeds under 60-70 mph.

Hmm ?.. any vehicle that has to share the road with idiots in metal "Cages" needs to have substantial passenger protection. You are going to be "IN" the accident , not thrown off like a biker would be !

Someone needs to define a few basic parameters for this type of vehicle.. weight, speed , range, carrying capacity , etc etc.
Personally , i do not see pedals being part of this level of vehicle.

[Pure]

What part did I say you don't need any kind of a cage. For piddly speeds under 100 mph a very basic simple cage is all that is needed. What you guys are showing on the sand rails is even over kill for a vehicle that could be sub 300 pounds. A simple box cage with a roll over bar would be more than enough. You have to remember your mass also accounts for a lot in an accident. The lighter you are the more likely your vehicle will just be pushed instead of destroyed. Of course this effect is negated the faster you travel. Now you you guys want to build something that would break the 100 mph mark, then yeah we need to look at licences an MC class vehicle with a full on roll cage and 5 point harness. But lets remember one of the best things about our bikes is the fact that we get to stay below the radar of licensing and other accompanying rules that go along with it. I doubt that any cop is going to give you much hassle for doing 40 mph in a velomobile as long as it has pedals.

[jmygann]

I've been dreaming/planning a similar build for some time. I pretty much have it all sorted out in my head, but have yet to put anything down on paper. Basically you guys are over thinking this. Instead of shooting for a "licensed" motorcycle class vehicle, you should be looking at just an extended velomobile. A leaning tadpole trike with front to back seating for 2. You build it so that the second seat is more of a rumble seat that folds down for when no one is using it or you want/need to carry cargo. You make the seated area of the front driver wide enough so that the rear persons legs sit along side the front driver. A simple chromo frame/roll cage would offer enough protection for both occupants in the event of a crash. You really don't need a full on roll cage for speeds under 60-70 mph. So a minimalist design to the cage can be achieved, saving a lot of weight. Doing the design like this would allow for the vehicle to still be narrow enough to not be too much of a bother to other traffic in the bike lane. For a drive system you would either need a large hub on the rear with plenty of battery or an RC setup for best efficiency. Because of weight you are going to have to at least use moped rims, but they are still small enough to not require much more bulk in mounting hardware.

[Pure]

That's actually pretty damn close to what I'm thinking. I would reconfig that frame just a little. Remove some of the side reinforcement tubing and add a roll over bar. Leaning and suspension would also be nice.

[jmygann]

[TylerDurden]

Remove some of the side reinforcement tubing and add a roll over bar. Leaning and suspension would also be nice.

This is getting close to my ideal; needs EV propulsion.



http://www.tiltingvehicle.com/

[mistercrash]

Ever since I first saw the Lit C1, I have been waiting for news of it's release. The CEO wants this to happen in 2012 with a price tag of around $16000. I'm crossing my fingers that they will succeed.

http://litmotors.com/home/

[jmygann]

To ...http://www.miltonsandtoys.com/

What is the lightest front sus. for 2 passenger ?



Jim
The lightest frontend is found on a drag buggy in the form of a straight or drop tube front end.Not very practical for a sand buggy .The next lightest is a single a-arm front end.Stewarts buggy shop in waynoka Oklahoma builds that kind of front end so does Prowlers.The next is double a-arm with Marvin Shaw shocks on it.The double a-arm will handle more abuse than the others.The front ends on the red and yellow buggys on my web site is still the most the most dependable and handles more abuse than any other plus it only weighs a few pounds more than the double a-arm.Hope that answers your question.
(MILTON)
Barry Hutton

[jmygann]

Imagine with single rear wheel








http://thebuggyshop.50megs.com/sandcars ... ravel.html

[Pure]

Would be sweet with smaller tubing, singe a-arm, and smaller shocks. I would use small(ish) moto-cross shock offa the bay 80-120 U$ all day long.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/98-99-HONDA-CR- ... 500wt_1180

[AussieJester]

The fellas in the USA could always hit up one of those
Aircraft grave yards, pick up an old cessna body, lop the tail and wings, lose the prop, dump it, pop a frock motor in each wheel and then you'd be a rockin' your own DIY Aptera

[Hillhater]

Basically you guys are over thinking this. Instead of shooting for a "licensed" motorcycle class vehicle, you should be looking at just an extended velomobile. ..........

I thought the thread was about replicating an " Aptera" type vehicle ! ?
I dont think the Aptera had any pretensions of being anything less than a EV " car replacement" for regular practical use.
You wont be able to do that with any superlight, un licienced, unregulated, vehicle.
A velo is great for a different role, but not really equivalent to the Aptera.
This is why i said someone should define the basic requirements, or this thread will simply be a dumping space for every daydream in our heads.

[mistercrash]

The original OP had this list. It's a good place to start I guess.

Enclosed / all weather
Two seats
Low stepover/threshold
Cargo capacity = > 2 paper grocery bags
Standard wheels/tires
Trailer hitch

I think it should have room for 4 people. Enough cargo for a weeks worth of groceries for a family of 4. A concept simple enough for anyone who is mechanically inclined to fix themselves with some basic tools.

[Harold in CR]

I thought the thread was about replicating an " Aptera" type vehicle ! ?

This is what I thought, also.

I would try to get involved with the original idea, and, let those that want to custom design stuff, go to their own thread. Getting the first one up and going, would show that big $$$ is not neede4d, and, a CAR is not going to be easy to get past the Govt bunch.

[HAL9000v2.0]

Here is a quick sketch of what I have in mind...
3m long 1,8m wide 1m high 2 seats, all wheel drive...

[jmygann]

Basically you guys are over thinking this. Instead of shooting for a "licensed" motorcycle class vehicle, you should be looking at just an extended velomobile. ..........

I thought the thread was about replicating an " Aptera" type vehicle ! ?
I dont think the Aptera had any pretensions of being anything less than a EV " car replacement" for regular practical use.
You wont be able to do that with any superlight, un licienced, unregulated, vehicle.
A velo is great for a different role, but not really equivalent to the Aptera.
This is why i said someone should define the basic requirements, or this thread will simply be a dumping space for every daydream in our heads.

What do you see as a budget for this "knockoff". It is a tadpole trike for 2 - side by side.. "" Aptera" type vehicle "

[TylerDurden]

I was envisioning a truss foundation, packs up the tunnel. (for a non-leaner)

[jmygann]

[Hillhater]

What do you see as a budget for this "knockoff". It is a tadpole trike for 2 - side by side.. "" Aptera" type vehicle "

you cannot attempt to estimate a budget until you have a fairly detailed specification including speed, range, payload expectations etc.
If you start with a budget, you will end up with a vehicle that meets your budget , ..not to your requirements.
... Project basics 101 !

[TylerDurden]

I would also suggest that designing/building be approached in a scaleable manner that reasonably allows the most people to build and/or collaborate, while letting nutters go over the top.

Off-the-shelf components and standard materials for basic building - nutters can use unobtainium and Ferrari/CISRO motors.

[Thud]

Aptera=
superior aerodymanics
composit construction
cool to a fault (if your into that kind of thing)
everything else is standard 3-wheeled Ev construction.
the longer I look at the RQ riley designs the more reasonable they look.

[Harold in CR]

If anyone is seriously interested in starting this project, here are some specs to begin the figures and start up budget. I have been away from the States, and, have no access to supplies, but, I know places in S Florida I used to deal with.

Dimensions:
53" high x 91.0" wide x 173" long
111" wheelbase
80.5" front track.

Other specs:
0.15 Coefficient of drag
5" ground clearance
1500 lbs curb wt.

Electric motor torque: 60FtLb torque
110v 15A charge time: 8 hrs.
Battery output: 10-13 KWh battery pack.
Battery voltage: 336V DC Nominal Traction Voltage
Transmission: Gear box 10:1 ratio
Battery Type: Lithium Iron Phosphate

Chassis:
Front Suspension: Independent unequal length A-arm
Rear Suspension: Swing Arm
Steering: Manual Steering, tilt steering column
Brakes: Manual Brakes, dual circuit brake hydraulics, mechanical brake proportioning, 3-wheel disc
Wheels: 14-inch High Strength Stamped Steel wheels
Size: P165/65R14

Performance:
Range: Up to 100 miles per charge


To make this a "Near" clone, I was thinking to research tail light shapes, head light covers, windshield shapes, and such, to buy after market to get the design formed up.

Who wants to be the first to put definite buying or funding plans on the table ?? If this is done 1-off, there is no "Company" to hold liable and buyer sponsor gets the first one as a "prototype. I doubt if this will end up selling millions, but, it's the only way for those with REAL interest to actually have a clone of sorts.

Need more interest before I can put more thoughts into this. Talk is cheap. I would have to live IN the shop or someones garage to be able to do my part. Hot dogs and beans would carry me a long ways.

I have been toying with selling my farm and going my separate way with my ideas. Just would like to be a part of something like this project.

[jmygann]

Reverse trikes have been designed and built for years ... some are electric. We are not trying to re-invent the wheel. I feel a frame builder interested in the project is needed more than someone playing with CAD on their computer.


http://switchvehicles.com/ .... " Our mission is to build safe, simple, durable electric vehicles that every American can afford to own."

"Toyota, Chevy and Nissan have helped increase demand for electric cars, but their prices are too high for the average American. There’s a gap between what the big car makers are selling and what most Americans can afford. Enter Switch Vehicles. We fill this gap with a locally-built, reliable electric vehicle for daily transportation.

Initially, the Switch will be available as a kit that is shipped to the owner for do-it-yourself assembly."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2bwcHod ... page#t=55s

[youtube]U2bwcHodp5w&feature=player_profilepage#t=55s[/youtube]