Linus Torvalds used to say, "Show me the code"; i.e. instead of discussing what a program should do, write one and let us take a look at it. Likewise, I say take some of your ideas and build something, then try to convince others to do the same.
Linus Torvalds used to say, "Show me the code"; i.e. instead of discussing what a program should do, write one and let us take a look at it. Likewise, I say take some of your ideas and build something, then try to convince others to do the same.
Graefin10 wrote: BAMF: The reason I thought of air cooled instead of just a displacement limit is to keep everyone from trying to locate a 2011 Ninja watercooled 250.
Ah, now I get it. That makes sense. I could see that easily becoming the go to engine.
Graefin10 wrote: The reason I specified a plywood monocoque is because a few wood working tools are much less expensive than those needed for metal working. Also, build the tub and most of the body is complete also.
Very true. I use woodworking tools at work, and am continually astounded at the high cost of working with metal. It's sort of another universe. Fair point about the bodywork being pretty much complete too. Doing a one off composite (glass, carbon, whatever) body is relatively easy though for someone who could build a plywood monocoque. You can carve foam and directly apply your cloth and resin. It does take applying a fair amount of bondo and sanding the majority of it back off to get something smooth enough for paint.
This is a pretty good example of what I'm talking about:
It's a baltic birch egg crate rib structure with shaped foam blocks, and it's all skinned in 12oz. woven fiberglass cloth with epoxy resin. We used a CNC router to make the parts in the interest of time (and because we have one), but similar could be done by someone in a garage with a jigsaw, a rasp, and a good sander.
If the idea is to encourage people to build their own, keeping things somewhat open would definitely do that. If the idea is more close to a home built spec series, then I can see closing things down a bit.
Graefin10 wrote: Your idea would work fine though with just a weight min. and max. established. I also like the 3 wheeler idea but I felt that it would be easier to find a smooth field to make a track in than pavement. Let's face it, even local autocross locations have been drying up for quite a while now. I'm not sure how well a three wheeler would do on dirt. Of course a tractor tire could be mounted up, lol. I guess bringing up the possibility of running autoX and rallyX was just thinking of the possibility of what it could lead to.
Agreed. 4 wheels makes more sense in a dirt environment. I just figured a 3 wheel option would be a more simple thing to build. In a number of states it would even be road legal as a motorcycle, which would be cool.
Graefin10 wrote: The reason I presented this idea to the forum is to get others thoughts and opinions. My thinking is that if I decided to do it, plans and rules would be a good idea so that if a group wanted to have organized races they would all be on a level playing field.
Absolutely. About the only way I'd put the effort into building a car like that is if I had somewhere I could compete and people to compete against. So a standard to which one can build, and a relatively level playing field would be key.
I've got a 3 year old and a 1 year old. Harbor Freight has 6.5 hp horizontal shaft engines for sale for less than $90 and I see this thread.
Who says there is no God...?
By the way, somebody in a previous post mentioned "torque converters" for this sort of application. Can anyone post a link to that sort of thing sold retail?
http://www.gokartsupply.com/
I've been meaning to call them to see if they still have them. If anyone finds out b4 I do please let me know.
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