Dune buggy frame ebike?

[Blueshift]

I have been really wanting an enclosed ebike but the pre-builts are ridiculously expensive. some are on the order of 10,000 or more. That is why I want to figure out which frame i could aquire or design that would be relatively cheap and sturdy. Has anybody thought of using a small dune buggy frame?

I would prefer something a little bit taller than a velomobile.

 

[amberwolf]

Dune buggy frame would be ridiculously heavy for an ebike. You'd be talking about a motorcycle build, or a small car.

 

[ddk]

or a wheelchair...

 

[Dauntless]

I have been really wanting an enclosed ebike but the pre-builts are ridiculously expensive. some are on the order of 10,000 or more. That is why I want to figure out which frame i could aquire or design that would be relatively cheap and sturdy. Has anybody thought of using a small dune buggy frame?

I would prefer something a little bit taller than a velomobile.

Do you mean like a Yerf Dog? As they're saying, "Dune Buggy" brings weight connotations. Something small enough to be light becomes hard to move in, so how to pedal becomes an issue.

I love your notion, one thing I have percolating is a three wheel 2f1b that I'm hoping I get to blow a canopy for in a few weeks. My thought is much the sitting arrangement as an exercycle at the gym. But can I really body it and get power to it (It'll be a moped) without it being the weight of a Honda Rebel?

You can Elmers or Gorilla glue 2 pound per cubic foot EPS foam (As found in the hardware store) with a shurform file, laminate it with 10 ounce per square yard fiberglas, (Plus 6.7 ounces of resin per square yard) to make a surfboard, look how light that is. Yet fairly strong, the foam core actually makes the fiberglas stronger. You can make a shell for this much the same way. Someone made a floating car in a similar manner that I think wound up entered for the 'XPrize.' Probably you want a little more glas on the surface, but you get the idea.

And you can actually build a monoque out of cardboard and glas it, it'll be plenty strong.

http://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=25315&start=15&hilit=velomobile

 

[Dauntless]

http://chestofbooks.com/crafts/popular-mechanics/The-Boy-Mechanic-1000-Things-for-Boys-to-Do/A-Cyclemobile.html

http://chestofbooks.com/crafts/popular-mechanics/The-Boy-Mechanic-1000-Things-for-Boys-to-Do/How-To-Make-A-Flymobile.html

 

[The fingers]

I like rear steering, for spraying a rooster tail of gravel and sand out to the side. 8)

 

[fechter]

In many areas, something with 4 wheels may not be legal to ride on the street. Check you local laws.
3 wheels is OK in most places.

 

[ions82]

I've just started putting together an e-trike that was originally a handcycle. It sits upright and wouldn't be terribly hard to enclose. It doesn't weigh any more than a sturdy bike, really. The thing is, it is going to be ONLY electric. I removed the drivetrain and replaced it with a "chopper" fork. If you are looking to go all-electric, something like this project might work. The upright handcycles can be found for about $500 (typically on Craigslist.) If you want to still be able to pedal, a handcycle might not be a good option. Most people don't really want that much of a workout. However, with a hub motor, it would still move along pretty quickly.

 

[mythprod]

Damn.