Reverse Trike Rego

Post by **woody** » Sat, 27 Jun 2009, 22:40

The car that Jeremy Clarkson proclaimed as "The best we've ever had on top gear" is one I'd really like to have as an EV. They're really quite rare, but a crazy Scotsman makes full replicas and will sell them as parts. I had been thinking for ages that they'd never pass Australian rego requirements, but then I remembered that this record holding car is actually a reverse trike. What are the rules for ICV reverse trikes? I could only find NCOP-15 which seems to be forward trikes - converted bikes and VW frankensteins...

Oh, the fabulous car is the Peel P50. I'd settle for a trident though...

Post by **Electrocycle** » Sat, 27 Jun 2009, 22:48

There's a reverse trike made by Bombardier that is on the streets here (there's often one at Pie in the Sky

)

Post by **Bluefang** » Sun, 28 Jun 2009, 00:11

I have been looking into Reverse trikes too and from what i have found the regulations are the same for 2f1r and 1f2r trikes with a max weight limit of i think 750kg before they are deemed cars.

Looking to build something like the Peugeot 20cup trike, building a space frame chassis based on wide Locost 7s and using a front bonnet, fenders and bumper from a production car and then just enclosing the rear with some sheet metal. With front wheel drive should be a very interesting drive, and cheaper $150 registration and much easier build inspections ect.

Post by **Mark T** » Sun, 28 Jun 2009, 02:18

A couple of interesting trikes here.
I think a reverse trike wound be a great EV.

Post by **Squiggles** » Sun, 28 Jun 2009, 03:17

There used to be a couple of Morgan 3 wheelers getting around as well, so registration has to be possible. Look into individually constructed vehicles, there are some different rules applied.

Post by **Thalass** » Sun, 28 Jun 2009, 07:24

I don't think the P50 would be registerable in australia. The crumple zones are your knees, after all.

I think in canada they make something called the t-rex, which is a reverse trike with quite high performance.

Post by **zeva** » Sun, 28 Jun 2009, 18:30

Thalass wrote: I don't think the P50 would be registerable in australia. The crumple zones are your knees, after all.

I think in canada they make something called the t-rex, which is a reverse trike with quite high performance.

AFAIK trikes are under similar regs to motorbikes so don't need crumple zones? Regardless of how much they look like a car - correct me if I'm wrong anyone? (I guess they assume motorbike riders aren't long for this earth anyway so why delay the inevitable

)

I am a big fan of the reverse trike layout because it may allow us to have much more efficient (small, light, aerodynamic) vehicles but still with an enclosed cabin to keep out the weather. "Car" regulations are so strict these days, motorbikes don't work so well with enclosed cabins and conventional trikes are so unstable!

I quite like the T-Rex. It looks like it means business:

Post by **Richo** » Mon, 29 Jun 2009, 16:30

I thought for it to be registered as the motorbike class the rider had to have a leg on each side of the seat.
ie motorbike seat.
If it was not in this format then it could not be registered in this class.

I would love a reverse trike but with 1 driver in the front maybe a passanger in the rear.

The zap alias is enclosed and would be a good commuter.

Post by **Richo** » Mon, 29 Jun 2009, 17:01

Ah sorry I was referring to the LEM2 not the LEP2.

Yeah looks like NCOP15 is it.

On page 5 under "Scope" is says that "These vehicles will continue to be delt with on an individual basis by the juristriction in which the trike was built" referring to the LEM2 and LEP2.

So visit your local licencing/inspection centre to find out what they want.

Post by **Taffy** » Mon, 29 Jun 2009, 17:26

Body work i would go with:
a) Parts you get off other cars/bikes
b) Fibre glass and aluminium (light materials even if they do cost a couple of $ more)
But no plate steel, that stuff is damn heavy! I have a few sheets in my garage for my lotus 7. The floor is hard to move around...

I like the peuget one, looks like you would get boot space for lots of batteries.

Post by **Richo** » Mon, 29 Jun 2009, 21:35

If the trike registration gets too much you could always go for Kenada's Bike.

Post by **Squiggles** » Mon, 29 Jun 2009, 23:24

I bet that handles like a camel!

Post by **Electrocycle** » Mon, 29 Jun 2009, 23:37

in the movie it handles pretty well

Post by **Squiggles** » Mon, 29 Jun 2009, 23:45

Oh well there you go then, it must be OK

Post by **Richo** » Sat, 04 Jul 2009, 04:32

Squiggles wrote: I bet that handles like a camel!

Yeah the bits low down on each side seem to prevent lean.
I do recall seeing some CAD drawings of the steering mechanism.
I guess anything is possible if you spend enough time on it.

Does anyone know if it is a requirement to have a "frame jig" for a one off?

Post by **Thalass** » Sun, 05 Jul 2009, 08:43

I was just looking at the t-rex website. Those things are made in Quebec! Which is about 700km away from me at the moment. Pity I don't speak french.

It looks like they make another model there: the V13R Which looks kinda cool, but not as good as the T-Rex in my opinion.

[edit] I just saw the prices.... $40k for the V13R, and $50k for the T-Rex. And that's the base models. Crikey

[edit2] After a bit of searching, I found this site in the UK that make replicas of a bunch of microcars, including the P50 and that funny Messerschmitt three wheeler. A P50 bodyshell starts at 1550 quid, and a functional vehicle 9995 quid!

I wonder if a special arrangement could be made for somewhere in between. Body + chassis + wheels, etc, but no engine or fuel tank.

Here's the site

Post by **Gow864** » Sun, 05 Jul 2009, 17:41

The V13R is beautiful. The rest are some of the ugliest cars I've ever seen, you couldn't give one to me.

Post by **stuartri** » Tue, 07 Jul 2009, 02:14

My Favourite reverse trike currently

Post by **Richo** » Tue, 07 Jul 2009, 06:38

Anyone for a one seater?

Post by **Johny** » Wed, 08 Jul 2009, 19:00

...and going back a few years - a "Morgan three-wheeler".

The full article.

Post by **EV2Go** » Thu, 09 Jul 2009, 18:35

Richo who makes that? I would like to have a better look.

Post by **Richo** » Thu, 09 Jul 2009, 21:11

EV2Go wrote: Richo who makes that? I would like to have a better look.

Ah you got me one that one

Hawk Concept
Alex Hodge

Sorry but Kenada's Bike is more real than the car

Post by **Thalass** » Fri, 10 Jul 2009, 08:33

For a traditional trike, there is of course the Vandenbrink Carver, and the many variants that have spawned from it, including a diesel-electric or full electric version, and a version that turns into a gyrocopter!

They sell the Carver in NZ, I think, so it might not be too difficult to get one into Oz. Expensive, though.

Post by **woody** » Tue, 28 Jul 2009, 20:40

Trevipedia has a comprehensive checklist for LEP2 vehicles.

Most worrying for the P50, but achievable...
Two headlights, at least 500mm from the ground, Lighting in general (ADR 67/ for 3 wheelers)
ADR 29/ (Door Strength)
ADR 23/.. Passenger car tyres
ADR 15/.. Demisting of windscreen

Post by **Clay** » Fri, 25 Nov 2011, 00:23

I've been looking for a long time recently and it is difficult to get a clear set of regs, as previous posts have also alluded to. Anyone got a set of LEP2 regs to have a look at or point me in the right direction to find them?