Starting an FJ1200 - How?

[Pat Conlon]

Any chance you are going for a reverse trike?!

Those gum balls sure look impressive on that trike, but I don't think there will be enough weight on them to get those tires up to proper operating temperature. Still, they do look bad ass...

Here's more info on this critter


https://drivetribe.com/p/honda-hornet-reverse-trike-M16dCZOOQxOR8nO4xsnRNA

[fj1289]

Thanks Pat

It was literally the first pic I saw when I googled reverse trike

The VW front end was the first thing I thought of - functional but ugly!

As close to the center as you can mount the a-arm pivots, I'd bet you can get pretty good geometry out of it. 

And since it is all out on display, a cool cantilevered suspension setup would be a focal point. 

Or build a racing sidecar inspired trike - really low and wide!

[Millietant]

Didn't you see that sexy cantilevered suspension?!   

fj1289,

How much did it cost, and who built it?
Got any better pix?

You got me thinking, how about getting my pal Jim to put a FJ engine in his Can Am Spyder I think that would be way cool ! Just like a skidding rear end sliding snowmobile on the roads.....yeehaaaa!

[Pat Conlon]

Dean, with a FJ engine in the Can Am think, airflow, airflow, airflow (or lack thereof)
......a 1300/1400cc water pumper would be my choice.

I have never ridden a reverse trike like the Can Am. Quad racers, yes, reverse trike no...at least, not yet.
I also want to try the Yamaha Niken.

Cheers

[RPM - Robert]

Dean, with a FJ engine in the Can Am think, airflow, airflow, airflow (or lack thereof)
......a 1300/1400cc water pumper would be my choice.

Pat, cooling shouldn't be a problem, with proper ducting to keep it cool, and/or maybe a couple larger oil coolers. We run them in fully enclosed body cars, that have a 11X9" opening in the nose, with 3 oil coolers, 2 larger 11"x11" and one the size of the motorcycle oil cooler. We run wide open for 35-45 minutes and don't have a problem in 110 degree days. We even have to tape off the coolers to get them to operating temps in the winter months. It would also allow the use of some large Spal fans that really move some CFM, one 10" VA15-AP70/LL-39A * 10"P/12V Spal can move 1081 CFM compared to the little guys Alan H could fit on the single small cooler at 148CFM(Shown in Rolf's post), one on each larger cooler and it will suck the heat out in stop and go traffic, with ease.

[Millietant]

Robert has answered better than I possibly could have Pat, as I was only going to say that I'd have the front opened up, to have the engine sitting proud, in the air stream 

I've ridden the Spyder and it's a bit of a hoot, but not my cup of tea in traffic, or on slow, narrow, tight winding roads. The auto blipper on downshifts is my favourite bit 

[OzDamo]

Any chance you are going for a reverse trike?!

Those gum balls sure look impressive on that trike, but I don't think there will be enough weight on them to get those tires up to proper operating temperature. Still, they do look bad ass...

Here's more info on this critter



https://drivetribe.com/p/honda-hornet-reverse-trike-M16dCZOOQxOR8nO4xsnRNA

That thing does look the business. I've often thought about building a lotus 7 replica. That front suspension would look awesome on one. But I'll be building with the traditional two rear wheels

As for safety, far too many people build custom stuff with very little thought to functionality. I've given this a LOT of thought.

This will be LOW. This will be LONGER. As I wont be leaning in a turn, I don't need anywhere near as much clearance as a bike so I can drop the chassis height and center of gravity a bunch. I'll be building a custom frame so all dimensions are in my control. I'm sure it will lighten the front wheel, but it wont be anything like the original FJ in that regard. I'll also be sitting way lower. I see the CofG being at max half the height of a stock FJ with rider.

It wont be as safe as a camry, but it should work pretty well.

The free license I get from Work for my 3D CAD software just expired, which is a bummer as I was gong to make some plans now I have the bike to measure. And so others can see what I'm talking about. Next week I should have something. I really want to see my minds creation on the screen.

cheers
Damo

[OzDamo]

Any chance you are going for a reverse trike?!
http://fjowners.com/gallery/12/171_02_01_22_7_37_41.jpeg

Yep, the only safe configuration.
Noel

Damo,

As trikes go, a reverse trike (tadpole) may make good sense for you.  The front suspension on the old VW Beetles was all in one piece, with torsion bar suspension, shock absorbers, spindles, steering, and legal brakes.  It is all tried-and-true hardware. The entire front-end assembly installed with just four bolts.  Lots of engineering right there, and at breaker-yard prices.  Check it out.

My first car was a 62 beetle. Not a safe handling car.

Chronic push.....Chronic Oversteer. Flip a coin and push it and see what happens. I'm lucky that little bugger only had 40hp.

[red]

My first car was a 62 beetle. Not a safe handling car.
Chronic push.....Chronic Oversteer. Flip a coin and push it and see what happens. I'm lucky that little bugger only had 40hp.

Damo,

Off topic a bit, but I believe the old Beetles handled poorly because of the rear suspension, not the front.  At certain speeds or if the rear end unloaded (due to a bump in the road), the rear outside wheel could tuck under, causing oversteer. 
No front end could fix that issue.  Now back to our regularly scheduled mayhem . . .   

[OzDamo]

My first car was a 62 beetle. Not a safe handling car.
Chronic push.....Chronic Oversteer. Flip a coin and push it and see what happens. I'm lucky that little bugger only had 40hp.

Damo,

Off topic a bit, but I believe the old Beetles handled poorly because of the rear suspension, not the front.  At certain speeds or if the rear end unloaded (due to a bump in the road), the rear outside wheel could tuck under, causing oversteer. 
No front end could fix that issue.  Now back to our regularly scheduled mayhem with . . .   

Yep. But the two foot long hand brake lever, rear engine and massive rear drums meant it was the king on hand brake fun. 100kmhr lockup's straight as an arrow.... You bet.

Like I said, glad it only had 40hp.