Let's Talk Cyclecars

Roadside repairs.

 

For sale looks like a cross eyed vw beetle

http://www.prewarcar.com/index.php?option=com_caradvert&view=ad&section_id=1&id=70511&Itemid=432

 

First side of the jappic chassis in the jig being glued, gets unclamped in the morning

 

Or a narrowed and shortened '38 Ford.

 

Nice work Ade.I hope the layers don't come undone when you release the clamps.

 

whoohoo!!! keep up the progress!! I may have missed it, but what engine do you plan on using?

 

The original car had a 350 cc ohv single cylinder jap engine , and later it had a 500 fitted I am currently searching or the correct 350 cc engine from 1925

 

So you've made a beginning Ade, definitely looking good
What glue are you using to laminate your chassis rails?

 

Great start, Ade! Happy hunting for that motor....it's out there somewhere. Here's a rough mock up of my frame. I applied the epoxy treatment tonight.

 

They are out there: http://www.bonhams.com/auctions/19767/lot/20/

 

It rather wants to be a four-wheeler, though, doesn't it?

 

What's involved in doing that epoxy treatment Chuxx?

 

Well the chassis rail is out of the jig , all looks good ,
It didn't spring back very much at all
I even plucked up enough courage to place the beam curve up and stand on it , no problem

 

Miracles of modern chemistry. I'm using a product designed to soak into the wood and seal and protect it from water and bugs. It's called CPES, clear penetrating epoxy sealer, learned about it from a wood boat building site. Kinda like POR-15 used on metal. I live in a high humidity, normally rainy part of Texas.

Was that your test run, Ade? Or did you use the ash?

 

We are making the real thing now , 3 layers of 10 mm ash , glued together with west 6 ten epoxy
1 of 4 is done 2 is in the jig , so number 4 should be done Thursday , then put them through the planer to get them to 100 mm ,
Then glue the two pairs together using an over sized biscuit joint ,

 

Beam 1 clamped to the bench to plane the edges , the slot is for the oversize biscuit joint made from a piece of 9 mm ply

 

Oooooo this going to be such an interesting build to follow.

 

Wow! The nuns in New Zealand get to collect stuff from the tipper,build cyclecars,are computer literate ,AND eat popcorn!I'm amazed.

 

Homemade popcorn is very nice and is quite alright in moderation

My major interest with cyclecars, velocars and the like is that they are very cheap and effective transport for local journeys. If one is careful wth such things as numbers of wheels, sizes of engines and building in the capacity for light pedal assistance they can avoid all forms of registration and licencing fees, - or at worst only need to be registered as a moped. All of which is good when folk of very slender means need reliable transport.

Tip ratting might seem undignified, but if one can find everything needed to build a cheap vehicle by recycling what others throw away, then the whole project becomes a winner all round. Just folowing my vows Bob

 

Recycling is a good thing, Sister, especially in our little corner of the world...

 

I think I have told you before,you would fit right in here in Fairbanks...on all accounts.Including the popcorn.

 

Today's jappic report ,
Pulled 2 of 4 out of the jig, and loaded 3 of 4 into jig had a heart attack thinking I had made 3 of one side , but I hadn't , phew ,

Cleared off work table and marked out major axis , and other major points like axle centre line etc ,
Added two sides to table and started on mock up dash bulkhead ,

Ran out of glue , no stock until Friday , so 4 of 4 will have to wait until Saturday for it's place in the production line

 

This is looking interesting...
Did I miss a plan of the project?

 

Always been a sucker for curves. It's so helpful to start the physical layout to see and get a feel for what goes where. Great progress!

 

Here you go DrJ

 

Always wondered about using the glue they use building airplanes...seems like that should be strong enough!

 

How about this "cycle"car?

 

Hmmm, base hit propulsion?

 

With plenty of room for a flux capicitor...

 

I dunno- might look better with some donks...