Name of a certain type of tire for next years project.

[Atar]

Hi there!

Its been a while since I posted here. But since I'm from Holland and am currently brainstorming a project for next year I have a few questions that I can't answer with the search. Most of them are related to the fact I do have the knowledge to build the stuff, but not the US names and regulations. So here goes:

What I want to make is a trike that hinges with its chair and frontwheel on the backwheels. What you would get is basicly a normal trike that you steer by leaning to the left and right. The two back wheels would hold the motor and they would stay stable and drive the vehicle forward. The frontseat would have a hinge-linke construction behind it, a bit like the steeringwheel of a motorcyle. This would result in a different and way more cool way of steering. Basicly leaning into a curve like you would with a normal motorcyle, only now you can do it at 5mph
The basis for this would either be a trike, an ATV, a motorcycle or most likely an ATC (it just needs the least amount of conversion).

The questions I have go as follows:
Would it be possible to create this vehicle and be allowed to drive it on the highway? Is it allowed to drive these kinds of vehicles on the road at all? I know that we drove our art-car on the road and it was okay as long as the seatbelts were there and the car didn't exceed the 14 feet height limit.
Second question is: How do you call the front wheel in the following picture?

Third: would it be possible to find tires that are way bigger than that?
I'm thinking at least a meter high.
Fourth: I've never build a motorized vehicle like this, but I have build stuff that are closely the same in weight and proportions. Concidering one person working on it 10/12 hours a day. in a workspace that is completely equipped... How long would you think it takes to create it?


I know that it would be rather hard to get one of these contraptions deemed 'road worthy' in Holland, but I wanna try!

edit: Ow and I want to make it into a sortof mad-max / steampunk / rat-style kindof vehicle.

Burning with inspiration!
Bram

[The CO]

The tire you are talking about is generally called a "knobby".

I doubt that you will be able to make it legal to drive on the street, but good luck and have fun!

[gyre]

There is a surfboard that steers by weight shift.
A vehicle that cambers does not have to affect steering that strongly though.
A cambering three wheeler allows the cornering advantages of a bike with three wheels and can out handle one.
I think gm holds the patents.
There are some in production that do this, perhaps in germany?

I did try out a bike with snow tires on the playa and it coasted over dust drifts.
Those tires offer possibilities on the playa and they are light.

It is possible to do some radical things that are still legal on u.s. roads.

I like some of Nick Pugh"s work.
http://archive.cardesignnews.com/news/2 ... index.html

[BAS]

I'm pretty certain that what is allowed varies from state to state, so you might want to check with Nevada's Department of Transportation. (If I am wrong, they can probably tell you where to go [er, something like that! ])


B.

[theCryptofishist]

I bet there's overriding DOT rules, but there may well be differences between the states.

[Valkyrie]

I think it's like housing code... although each state technically has their own rules, they all pretty much follow national standards. For example, most states BAN tire chains, but parts of California require them. (You can really tell the sections of road where they do, too, because they're so torn up.)

[Dustdevil]

Look for a DOT number on the tire. It that number exists, it is ok for use on public hiways. Most balloom, knobby. slick and other off road and race tires do not have the dot certification. Generally this is because the sidewall is too thin and the resistance to puncture may be reduced. The tires on my race car are rated for speeds exceeding 150 mph, but they are not street legal as the sidewall is very thin. They make large DOT tires that might work for what you are doing. Look at Mickey Thompson tires and Carlisle. Hoosier is also a good brand.

[Valkyrie]

Tires are one thing... then there's the issue of getting the vehicle itself street legal, as (depending on the state) heavy modifications to existing manufacture or original designs may require more than just a little inspection.

[Ugly Dougly]

FIRE stone?

[Valkyrie]

BOO