Helix Streamlining, 1 Year Progress Update

[craigvetter]

Well, this video is pretty old. I have found a Belgian gear cutter, Jan Vos, who has successfully made new gears for me. Mileage has gotten better and better as the streamlining improves and the engine is slowed.

I suspect that you are right about the tires, too. Time to begin again. The Ninja 250 is looking pretty good.  Now... to turn a Ninja into a scooter so we can get on and off easily.

[dcatoffm]

@craigvetter

Hmm, and I'm looking to cut the cc in half (just working with what I got). Anyway, if you want to go 250, why not the Reflex? It has the 12/13 tires and you're already familiar with the Honda frame, plus the CN250 engine is pretty popular still so it should be relatively easy to find parts for (though gears are still a problem). Or are you after the manual transmission? I just don't see how you're going to cut a chunk off the front and lower the seat on a Ninja. Challenge for sure.

[dcatoffm]

I don't know specifically about the Helix but I know with the Chinese clone engines you can indeed gear up the final transmission so that you can have a bike that can go faster. Coupled with heavier weights in the CVT (the combination of which will be a blow to acceleration and hill climbs) will lower the engine RPM and with the aero-mod you will probably start seeing better mpg numbers. Note though: most 10" tires are not safe over 60 mph (J rating), the next bike should have 12-16" rims.

[craigvetter]

It has been a year since this video was posted. Since then, the machine has gotten easier to use while consuming less fuel. In 2011 I am hosting the Vetter Fuel Challenges at the Quail Ride in Carmel, California and AMA's Vintage Days in Ohio. I invite all people interested in living better on less energy.

[inagod]

I really want to do this,buy a helix,put a aero package on it and see America on 4cent's a gallon.My concern is keeping the entry and exit simple,which is one of the great things about scooters,maybe a simple door way,or sliding the side back like a draw.I'm sure Craig will get it right.

[inagod]

I always liked the idea of a enclosed mc,ecomobile,monotracer.But with its high price and bad ergonomics,I too thought about a enclosed or partially enclosed scooter,with its ease of entry and low cost.I would love to build something and or buy a body I could attach.I would love to tour America at 70 mph getting 100mpg with a large group

[DGoncz]

The Aprilia SR50 Ditech scooter might provide a platform for research into the aerodynamic scooter, since two first final drive options and two second final drive options are available, for a total of five drive ratios including the OEM. The scooter shown in the film reminds me of Buckminster Fuller's Dymaxion car. Craig mentions that scooter's can't be geared up to take advantage of the reduction in drag, but the SR50 is one exception. No engine modifications are required yet many exist.

[jjdiggs]

Go Craig!

Love the cardboard and low-budget materials while you hammer out the form.

Can't wait to see the finished product.

rock on, man

[mxferro]

Say Craig Vetter.. I have a copy of the Car Styling Mag issue 35 from 1981. Do you have a website showing what progress you have made on other designs since then? I too am an Industrial Designer and liked your environmental approach and wheelchair from that issue. Do you still have the place in San Lois Obispo? Plus do you have any designers that you hold in high regard? such as Henry Dreyfuss or Jacque Fresco? or others?

[craigvetter]

I think a Honda 125 may offer a very good platform. The Rifle Streamlining is the same they used in the 1980s, getting over 400 mpg. They all used 125 Hondas, if you recall. I would think you could gear your 125 up to easily go 75 mph. I expect you to still get 100-125 mpg. There is no European dist. You gotta get these bodies directly from us.

[RVAepiphanyseeker]

@craigvetter I certailny applaud you for the Freedom Project!

I had a 1970 Honda 100 that got 140mpg ... and would be easy to regear! I could hit highway speeds if I laid myself down on the tank. And I did for two years! Till I blew the camchain. Since I only paid $20 for the bike and the chain shattered the cylinder head casing, I trashed it. But that would be an excellent bike for the next level!

[inagod]

@craigvetter there a guy who just built a streamlined Honda 125,he had a website devoted to the build,if I find it again I will post it,the funny thing,is it looks like one of your early bikes

[craigvetter]

Some of this is still a great mystery. I will tell you one truth that will sound absurd: "If you want 100 mpg, begin with a bike that gets 100 mpg" I told you it would sound absurd. But, such a bike will likely be a 125 which won't go 70 into headwinds. Streamlined, it will.

Is it reasonable to expect a 64 mpg drivetrain, like a Helix to get better if streamlined? Mine stayed at 64... but did not get better.

It is a clue.

[Smudgegs]

Well my old Mastiff did 70mpg+ when cruising and streamlining trucks buses etc (not reccomended!) against a normal 50mpg (Imp Gal) so it should improve with streamlining, how much is much harder to say, I do wonder how much of an improvement I could get out of a Honda CG125 which does 100-120mpg unfaired...

Btw, is there a European supplier at all for the Vetter/Rifle fairing?

Tnx GS

[RVAepiphanyseeker]

@craigvetter I believe the problem is "pumping losses". The faster a piston moves, the greater the proportion of energy is sucked up by the action of pumping the air in and out . So the next step is to adjust the engine characteristics to move the torque curve lower (or if like a diesel, it already has a really low curve, just reduce final gear ratio.) I changed a Mercedes 300D to 15" wheels and increased from 24 to 28mpg w no other changes! And that was WITH a fuel leak in the injector!

[Smudgegs]

Brilliant work, can't wait to receive your 470mpg dvd!

What we need next is to know what fuel various engines will consume at a set speed, say 4000rpm in order to pick the most efficient one to build into a streamlined platform, my MuZ skorpion does 60mpg where the same motor in the Mastiff chassis did 50mpg, aerodynamics should improve this but but there will be a point where the engine is working under little load and will consume a certain amount anyway? Or am I missing something obvious?!?

[sk8carver]

the scary thing for 2 wheel faired motorcycle is side wind...

i would like to see a faired vehicle based on the piaggio mp3..

[craigvetter]

My experience in sidewinds is that you simply "hike" over. Not a big deal. The only problem I am aware of is a strange and scarey 100 foot section of road in Big Sur, California known as Hurricane Point where a 40 mph wind may come suddenly from the right (or the left) and just as suddenly, reverse directions. It moves cars, RVs, trucks and it moves me on motorcycles. I just slow down.

I encourage you to streamline an MP3. Bring it to California and we'll ride to Big Sur and I'll buy lunch

[craigvetter]

I think the Ninja would be a good choice. At least you begin with better suspension and brakes. Most important, you can gear it up... something I cannot do with a Helix.

I plan to finish the tooling on the streamlining on the Helix and offer it as a kit. You would probably want to begin with this kit for your Ninja project.

Craig Vetter

Designer

[theycallmeebryan]

Stock gearing on the ninja 250 is 14/45 (a 3.21 ratio). I have my Ninja geared down with 15/39 (a 2.60 ratio). Besides good suspension and brakes, the ninja has "regular" size tires, and is very stable at speed.

Your tests prove a real life 20% fuel economy increase after streamlining. Some say that the ninja is pretty aerodynamic already, but i have no doubt that streamlining alone would push the ninja above the 80mpg range.... possibly in to the 90's!

There are some ninjas over 100k miles!!

[theycallmeebryan]

also.... i was interested to know if there is an optimum ratio for the front curve of the fairing... and by this i mean from a 2d perspective (top down)... Width vs Length (Horizontally).

Is it better to have the least possible amount of frontal area, or is it better to use the smallest possible "best" ratio of a frontal curve?

[theycallmeebryan]

Craig, I have been following your progress since day one really. My curiosity in maximum MPG and aerodynamics led me to your website through some time searching through google.

I am 21 years old. I bought a 2003 Ninja 250r last June, and the bike is a blast. I use it as my commuter vehicle and have stopped driving the truck. Currently i average 73mpg with this bike.

Thanks to your "journals" i have had this itch to find a cosmetically badgered Ninja 250 to turn into a streamlined gas sipper!

[windhovernz]

Hi craig,

Ive been watching your work with interest, but I wonder at the effect of so much tail area promoting some form of gust steering in side winds.

That being said, I applaud your work, Ive been thinking something similar for some time now.