I received an email a few weeks ago from someone looking for details on a motorcycle powered car and what she described triggered some memories. I couldn't remember the name of the vehicle but I remembered what it looked like. As luck would have it, while looking for something else, I discovered the car in question, an Owosso Pulse for sale on ebay. These were powered by a … [Read more...]
Mobec 3-Rod
This looks like a Harley V-Rod that's been assimilated by the Sidecar collective until they became one, it's the Mobec 3-Rod. The sidecar has a carbon fiber body with a top that opens with some sort of electrical hydraulic mechanism. Full independent suspension and a Mobec duo drive with reverse, foot clutch and a hydraulic parking brake on the sidecar. Interesting design. … [Read more...]
GixxerKart – GSX-R powered go kart
This has evidently been floating around for some time but I just came aross this link over the weekend. Looks like a fellow over in Germany has taken a racing kart and added a bit more power in the form of a 1988 GSX-R 1100 engine with 115hp, the GixxerKart. There's a video of the build process followed by some action at the track. 0-60 in under 3 seconds with a top speed of … [Read more...]
Motorcycle powered Isetta and Messerschmitt
We've given a lot of attention to the Smartuki here but there were some early motorcycle powered cars with interesting designs, too. The BMW Isetta and Messerschmitt KR were around in the 1950's and early 1960's. Long out of production, Tritech, a company in the U.K., started making replacement parts so owners could keep them on the road and restore their former glory. After a … [Read more...]
Ghostrider riderless motorcycle
DARPA, the R&D guys at the Department of Defense, came up with a competition last year called the Grand Challenge. The goal is deceptively simple, a driverless, autonomous vehicle must complete a 150 mile desert course in less than 10 hours. If you are quickest across the line, you get $2 million dollars. Last year, no one made it beyond 8 miles. Well, they're doing it again … [Read more...]
Tilting Vehicle concept
Here we have one Phillip James, an Australian of considerable self taught technical skill, who has built a prototype tilting vehicle that drives like a car, tilts like a motorcycle and looks very stable. With a bit of work, this could be one helluva vehicle. He's applied for a patent which is a good thing because I think a lot of other guys are going to try to build something … [Read more...]