Predator / XoV concept

Well, this project is about three years old at this point, but my intention is to do whatever to get it done in the next 6 months. Designed and fabricated by a friend in Kentucky, the project was purchased in February 2010 and quickly put on hold to make a different prototype car...

Anyway, I am guessing this XoV is going to be more for show than go, but I am hoping to enjoy using it in the mountains occasionally.


BT
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Yeah, it was on locostusa forums when the fabricator started it. I think I am going to try and go up to KY and pick it up next week.

As far as the engine, etc...

The original plan:
A 2008 Yamaha R1 engine / trans with a chain drive to a jackshaft then a final chain drive to the rear wheel / sprocket. The rear wheel originally purchased was a FR500 with a 315/35-17 tire (the one in the pic here is a 15" drag radial). Dual fuel tanks behind the driver's seat, and oil coolers in the side pods.

The revised plan:
A back half of a 2007 Suzuki Bandit 1250 (about the same torque as the R1 but lower hp / redline). Skip the jackshaft, seperate fuel tanks, oil coolers, radiator, etc... I am going to have a maximum 205/45-17 rear tire but plan on getting a Toyo R888 or similar sticky tire for that end.

Why the change? Well, life gets in the way sometimes. I am going to register this thing in Georgia, and the original one would never get the green light. Plan 'B' allows me to register the bike and just consider this a trike conversion. The fabricator is struggling a bit and I know in all likelihood that he won't ever really have time to finish the trike as we planned either. He is a great guy, and a really talented mechanic / fabricator, but I just don't see the project getting completed any other way. I have done some sketching and I think the vehicle will look awesome when it is done (after I modify the seat area and do a little extra rear bodywork). The goal for now is to finish it and get it on the road before the next cold season.

The front end uses Mustang II spindles, Porsche 911 steering rack, Wilwood brakes / pedals, and a custom anti-sway bar setup, and inboard Yamaha R1 shocks. A sequential shifter is still part of the plan.

The fabricator objects to using a motorcycle back half because the axle bearings aren't designed for the twisting load they will see, but I am going to see how it works out.


BT
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Nik Smart was first with the exposed frame roadster concept that went on to become the Arial Atom. I believe the design project by Nik was done in 1996. This was inspired by that style of design but is not anywhere close to the atom in any other respect. This is the third reverse trike the fabricator made, and is by far the best looking one to come from his shop in.my opinion. I am going to KY to pick the project in process up Monday. Yahoo!


BT

 

I don't really know. The mystery should be solved in about four months though hopefully. From what I have seen and read they feel just like a 4 wheel car, but when they break loose uncontrollable oversteer is the most common result. This one has a longer wheelbase so hopefully it won't have as much of an issue with that, but we will see.

BT

 

Yes the track on my vehicle is very wide. We have 66" hub face to hub face and with low offset wheels we are about 74" to the outside of the front tires. If I remember correctly my dads 86 TR was 77" to the outside of the rear tires. It impressed me as a very wide car.

I just got back from picking the project up. Lots of snow and wind that wasn't much fun to drive through...


BT