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Virus
Apprentece
19 Posts |
 Posted - Jun 26 2003 : 2:50:13 PM
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Hey Aaron,
I'm anxious to see what kind of cars/go-karts or any other vehicle you plan on making this summer, if any. Anyways, keep us posted because you make very interesting things.
Jeff
Edited by - Virus on Jun 30 2003 04:27:18 AM |
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Aaron Cake
Administrator
Canada
6718 Posts |
Posted - Jun 27 2003 : 3:12:38 PM
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Well, I am concentrating on rebuilding the engine in my '86 RX-7, so it is doubtfull that anything else will be done this summer. I have very little time nowadays for extra projects.
However, I am currently finishing an electric folding Razor-style scooter. Hope to have it done sometime next week assuming I get some parts back from the machine shop on time. I'll post a little info on the forum, but you'll have to wait until I update the site for whole story.
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Aaron Cake
Administrator
Canada
6718 Posts |
Posted - Jan 22 2004 : 10:37:24 AM
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Just found this topic searching for something else, so I figured I would update....
I hope to have the engine for the RX-7 built by late March. Currently waiting on a few parts, then I need to start porting the housings. The actual assembly should take very little time (3 hours). So I would imagine the car will be on the road by June or July.
Then, I want to start building a chopper. I have always been interested in motorcycles, and now that I have the spare parts and money, I can do something about it. First I need to get my license, but that's no big deal. I'll be basing the bike on whatever frame I can find cheaply, and use a Mazda 12A rotary engine with a custom transmission to drive it...Should be very interesting.
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cirvin
Nobel Prize Winner
USA
1542 Posts |
Posted - Jan 22 2004 : 3:19:33 PM
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You could have a machine shop build a totally costom frame, but that woud cost quite a bit.
http://daxter12.topcities.com |
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BEatonNo1
Nobel Prize Winner
USA
1133 Posts |
Posted - Jan 22 2004 : 5:54:54 PM
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all of those motorcycle showes seem to just use stock ones. as a matter of fact just about all of them are the same except for the custom details. It really doesnt look that hard to build one either, if you have the tools
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cirvin
Nobel Prize Winner
USA
1542 Posts |
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Aaron Cake
Administrator
Canada
6718 Posts |
Posted - Jan 23 2004 : 09:36:29 AM
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Most of the frames I have seen from chopper shops are so expensive that it's laughable....For example, Orange County wants $7000 US for a soft tail frame...I literally broke out laughing on the phone...Did not impress Paul Sr.  After that, I didn't even bother calling somewhere else...I can only guess what West Coast, Gasoline Alley, etc. would charge...
I could custom make a frame as it doesn't seem difficult, but it seems more logical to just modify an existing frame. That way, it's not technically (under the law) a "new" vehicle...If I use an old Harley frame, I can still register it under a Harley and avoid a LOT of hassle.
As for the rotary, it's fairly compact. The 12A is about 18 to 20 inches long, and roughly the roundness of a large bucket. Certainly bigger then a V-twin, but not huge like a V8 (see http://www.bosshosscycles.com ....  ).
What's great about the rotary is that it's compact, spins to 8000RPM, is INSANELY LOUD and has a flat torque curve. Oh, and I happen to have an extra one in my garage. I plan to convert to EFI, and make a custom transmission out of the stock RX-7 bellhousing (using all stock clutch parts) and a standard 6 speed motorcycle tranny...
Getting a rotary engine is fairly easy. You can hit up the wrecking yards, but you'll pay a premium. Easiest thing is to find a wrecked RX-7, or one that's rotted and is selling cheap...I've bought entire cars, complete with working engines for $500 before.
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cirvin
Nobel Prize Winner
USA
1542 Posts |
Posted - Jan 23 2004 : 5:11:05 PM
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Cool, you talked to Paul Sr.
I am liking Rotary engine alot more lately because of this site. Flat power curve, fast, and loud. what else more coud you want!
How fuel efficent is the small rotary?
http://daxter12.topcities.com |
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BEatonNo1
Nobel Prize Winner
USA
1133 Posts |
Posted - Jan 23 2004 : 8:16:29 PM
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thats cool that you talked to them, but i would imagine them to be pretty expensive. on the show though it looks like they buy their frames from someone else.
as for engines im still waiting for that turbojet to come my way
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Aaron Cake
Administrator
Canada
6718 Posts |
Posted - Jan 24 2004 : 10:57:55 PM
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Meh, Paul Sr. is just a guy like anyone else. He just happens to be on TV as well. Their business is bikes, not TV (well, maybe that is reversing). But that doesn't excuse the prices...
There are very few small rotary engines available. For a motorcycle, I wouldn't waste time with any of them...I'd go right to the RX-7 engine...Maybe the twin-turbo 13B REW if I was insane (more so).
Efficiency is like any other gas engine...low.
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BEatonNo1
Nobel Prize Winner
USA
1133 Posts |
Posted - Jan 25 2004 : 01:13:23 AM
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I was looking around on their site, and their frames were like 2-3 thousand
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Aaron Cake
Administrator
Canada
6718 Posts |
Posted - Jan 25 2004 : 10:20:37 AM
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Check out the stretched soft tail. Right around 7K (unless it's not on the site?).
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cirvin
Nobel Prize Winner
USA
1542 Posts |
Posted - Jan 26 2004 : 5:37:23 PM
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I woud try a Tesla turbine powered vechile with a steam boiler on the back! That woud be interesting.
http://daxter12.topcities.com |
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Aaron Cake
Administrator
Canada
6718 Posts |
Posted - Jan 27 2004 : 5:14:59 PM
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That would certainly be a good experiment, but not really practical transportation. 
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Chamkeeper
Mad Scientist
278 Posts |
Posted - Feb 02 2004 : 12:38:48 AM
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Aaron,
I was going to comment on my experience riding a motorcycle with a longitudally mounted engine. I rode a Motoguzzi around the mid-western US for a couple weeks MANY years ago, the crank was parallel to the bike frame. During hard cornering, a tweak of the throttle would create issues with the torque from the motor twisting the bike into or out of the turn. I've heard the bosshog's have issues with this too. If you're transverse mounting the engine then no issues, just something to bear in mind during potential design changes.
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Aaron Cake
Administrator
Canada
6718 Posts |
Posted - Feb 02 2004 : 1:57:51 PM
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Good info...The only problem with transversly mounting a rotary is the gyroscope effect caused by the rotors...Since the 12A has very little torque, I doubt it will be much of an issue...
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Topic |
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Vehicles This Summer.
