[ausev] Motorcycle project, rear differential.

[Mark Farver]

Chris Robison wrote:

>Hey, I wouldn't go too far on either of these points.   :o)
>
>A differential from a compact car with an independent rear suspension
>(like an AWD Subaru, etc) is actually pretty darned small.
>
>  
>
Maybe the transmission/differential from a small front wheel drive car 
like a Geo Metro?  It might be a little on the wide side, but you could 
probably have the driveshafts shortened.  It would be a little heavy, 
but not too bad compared to the weight of the motor.  Everything you 
need would be in one package, and you wouldn't have to worry about 
finding a spot for the motor inside the frame under the seat.  Bonus is 
that the Geo is a pretty common conversion, so the adapter plate would 
be readily available.

If you wanted something fun you could do a tilting three wheel design 
like the cars here:

http://www.3wheelers.com/carver.html
http://www.topgear.com/content/news/stories/719/ 

The motor, tranny and a few of the batteries could be in the non tilting 
rear wheel section, and the tilting portion could be a standard 
motorcycle frame from the rear wheel forward (instead of the enclosed 
cockpit as in the story)

I think it would make a great project, and its not too technically 
challenging.  (Just a tube frame around the motor/tranny, the pivot, and 
everything forward is a standard motorcycle chassis).  You might even be 
able to use the Geo's suspension system and disc brakes.

Mark