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The Veletta
I have been thinking I would like to build a shell for my tricruiser and
turn it into a velomobile. I have been enchanted with the BMW Isetta (built from approx. 1955 - 1962) ever since I first saw one. If you've never seen one then simply goto Google Image search and type Isetta. I would like to build a scaled down copy of the Isetta body which can attach to a trike. I don't have a clue where to even begin my research. Any thoughts or pointer would be appreciated. Jeff |
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#2
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The Veletta
Jeff Grippe wrote:
I have been thinking I would like to build a shell for my tricruiser and turn it into a velomobile. I have been enchanted with the BMW Isetta (built from approx. 1955 - 1962) ever since I first saw one. If you've never seen one then simply goto Google Image search and type Isetta. I would like to build a scaled down copy of the Isetta body which can attach to a trike. I don't have a clue where to even begin my research. Any thoughts or pointer would be appreciated. Jeff Jeff, Here's a couple of links off the top of my head. Bob Doster's plans for enclosed tadpole trike: http://www.hellbentcycles.com/work_shop.htm, it's one of the top links. WISIL Projects page...lots of info on making fairings, etc.: http://www.wisil.recumbents.com/wisil/whatsup.htm Hope this helps, Dan |
#3
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The Veletta
Jeff Grippe wrote: I have been thinking I would like to build a shell for my tricruiser and turn it into a velomobile. I have been enchanted with the BMW Isetta (built from approx. 1955 - 1962) ever since I first saw one. If you've never seen one then simply goto Google Image search and type Isetta. I would like to build a scaled down copy of the Isetta body which can attach to a trike. I don't have a clue where to even begin my research. Any thoughts or pointer would be appreciated. Jeff Jeff: Personally, I think you'd be doing yourself a favor if you copied a Leitra: http://www.leitra.dk/ . It seem to be the most well-thought out velomobile out there. John Tetz's projects are also great place to look, and he's documented his creations exceedingly well: http://www.recumbents.com/mars/pages...VM/TFVMp1.html Other Jeff |
#4
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The Veletta
"Jeff Wills" wrote in message ups.com... Personally, I think you'd be doing yourself a favor if you copied a Leitra: http://www.leitra.dk/ . It seem to be the most well-thought out velomobile out there. John Tetz's projects are also great place to look, and he's documented his creations exceedingly well: http://www.recumbents.com/mars/pages...VM/TFVMp1.html I think you are probably right but my idea satisfies my craving for an Isetta (which is almost certainly a car I'll never buy) while at the same time giving me a velomobile. I fear that the project itself is way beyond my abilities but the same techniques for building a shell that have been illustrated in the links that have been posted in this thread should work. It almost certainly will not be very aerodynamic but I only need it for my 3.5 mile ride to and from the train station which is mostly flat. Thanks for the links. Jeff |
#5
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The Veletta
Jeff Grippe wrote: I think you are probably right but my idea satisfies my craving for an Isetta (which is almost certainly a car I'll never buy) while at the same time giving me a velomobile. I fear that the project itself is way beyond my abilities but the same techniques for building a shell that have been illustrated in the links that have been posted in this thread should work. If you're looking for an easy-to-build velomobile, there ain't much out there. Putting a Coroplast shell on a commercial trike would be what I'd do. Coroplast is cheap, light, durable, and easy to work with. Oh, and you should look through the Bruce Weiner museum: http://www.microcarmuseum.com/tour/b...ta-bubble.html Once upon a time, I saw an Isetta *towing* an appropriately-sized boat on a trailer. I nearly busted my pants laughing. Jeff |
#6
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The Veletta
"Jeff Wills" wrote in message oups.com... If you're looking for an easy-to-build velomobile, there ain't much out there. Putting a Coroplast shell on a commercial trike would be what I'd do. Coroplast is cheap, light, durable, and easy to work with. Oh, and you should look through the Bruce Weiner museum: http://www.microcarmuseum.com/tour/b...ta-bubble.html I have visited that site many times. The Isetta shape and body look like they were designed to go with a tadpole trike. Coroplast does seem like the way to go and there are a few sites that detail how to work with it. The single door style of the Isetta also seems like a good idea for a velomobile although the aerodynamics of the care could be improved. Thanks again. Jeff |
#7
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The Veletta
"Jeff Grippe" wrote in message ... "Jeff Wills" wrote in message oups.com... If you're looking for an easy-to-build velomobile, there ain't much out there. Putting a Coroplast shell on a commercial trike would be what I'd do. Coroplast is cheap, light, durable, and easy to work with. Oh, and you should look through the Bruce Weiner museum: http://www.microcarmuseum.com/tour/b...ta-bubble.html I have visited that site many times. The Isetta shape and body look like they were designed to go with a tadpole trike. Coroplast does seem like the way to go and there are a few sites that detail how to work with it. The single door style of the Isetta also seems like a good idea for a velomobile although the aerodynamics of the care could be improved. Thanks again. Jeff You could probably customize a refrigerator box to make a "Valleta". It'd be a bit squarer than an Isetta, but not much. In the early sixties there was a parking lot on my way to college. A lot attendant parked a guy's Isetta against a wall. He couldn't find reverse gear and he couldn't open the door! I laughed my ass off before telling the poor schmuck to push in the clutch so I could push him a few feet backwards so he cold get out, but not before I negotiated a free week's parking for my MG1100, which is BTW English for a piece of ****. ----== Posted via Newsfeeds.Com - Unlimited-Uncensored-Secure Usenet News==---- http://www.newsfeeds.com The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! 100,000 Newsgroups ---= East/West-Coast Server Farms - Total Privacy via Encryption =--- |
#8
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The Veletta
"Jeff Grippe" wrote in message ... I have been thinking I would like to build a shell for my tricruiser and turn it into a velomobile. I have been enchanted with the BMW Isetta (built from approx. 1955 - 1962) ever since I first saw one. If you've never seen one then simply goto Image search and type Isetta. I would like to build a scaled down copy of the Isetta body which can attach to a trike. I don't have a clue where to even begin my research. Any thoughts or pointer would be appreciated. Jeff I too like the Isetta however with the "cab forward" design I can't see how you could do it and get the same look. You would end up looking out from somewhere around the back seat area |
#9
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The Veletta
"Mark Leuck" wrote in message ... I too like the Isetta however with the "cab forward" design I can't see how you could do it and get the same look. You would end up looking out from somewhere around the back seat area If you look at the pictures of the tricruiser with its strange rear rack (which I have) then you will see how I might be able to come close. I've ordered an Isetta book (which I've wanted for a long time anyway) so I'll spend some time pouring over more detailed photos. I think the key to how well I might be able to reproduce its look has to do with the relationship of the seat to the front wheels. For pictures of the tricruiser see www.americruiser.com Jeff |
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