Progress is Made

Recently, TreMoto have been building trikes... The frame is almost complete. We still have a lot of suspension bits to build of course, and there are never enough hours in the day. Generally, though, we are on course to complete the build in May. This should leave ample time for test and tune prior to PPIHC.

This week we'll be finalizing the seat mounts, orange-ing up the front wheels and sending the wheel hubs to machining. Very excite...

Jigsaws Falling Into Place

Graphics are in. This will allow us to design the number panels and bodywork, saving some room for sponsor logos (tremotollc@gmail.com to be one).  This trike is gonna be bright and wild.

Mockup of the frame with some suspension components. We'll have it all jigged and welded up over the weekend. If all goes well it will be ready for powdercoat next week, although we also have to make the seat mounts and add lugs below the foootpegs for the lower cradle. Things are moving along quite quickly.

In other news, Jeremy and Dan have completed some destructive testing on the composite leaf spring as well as some nice FEA. They have designed a new spring clamp that allows for more wheel travel and reduced stress concentrations.We'll finalalize the spec next week and have parts in early May.

Finally, I'll throw a reccomendation to read scarbsf1.com for any technically minded vehicle dynamics enthusiasts... Maybe not too many people, but try Spring-less rear suspension in F1 for a few insights on how TreMoto suspension deisgn dovetails with modern F1 philosophy.

Frame Design ++

 

 So here's the rest of the frame. Bulkheads 1 and 4 now have double brakes and will be TIG'd to 1&3 for additional rigidity. Testing with Monstrosity showed that this was the primary area for flex. Materials are all 4130 of various diameter and thickness.

Special thanks to Brad & Janet at Valley Racks in Elliot Mississippi for their excellent waterjet services. They're cutting our parts first thing next week. Waterjet cutting allows us very precise tolerances, and the whole thing practically snaps together. With an artisan like Jeff on the torch, this frame should spring to life next weekend.

In other news, the orange braided brake lines are here and graphics are on the way from DeCal Works! We'll be designing the RM250-style side number panels around them once the mounts for the 'monoposto' are complete. Ergos are going to be rather pro-quad once the titanium footpegs are mounted. Stay tuned...

Got Billets?

I I I I I I I got em...

Five-29

We just received word today that TreMoto's entry to the 89th running of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb has been accepted! Eddie Smith will be racing the #529 TreMoto 3Z1 to the clouds.

Steering Fabrication

TreMoto fabricator Jeff Ferguson welds up the 3Z1's adjustable height steering stem. The new design will give us significantly more flexibility to tune our steering ratio to work more optimally at high lean angle. Laeger's Performance has agreed to supply us with a custom spec'd Protrax-style steering system that will allow us to achieve greater steering lock at lean angle than available on Monstrosity. All this means more grip, more lean angle and more control.

Steering head modifications are also nearly complete. Final bulkhead design will be finalized this week, resulting in a significantly stiffer structure than the previous designs. All the 4130 is already here, so its off the to waterjet, the press brake and the jig. We should have the frame ready for reassembly in the next two weeks.

Sneak Peak

Work in progress...

PS, we are officially entered for the race. Lots of news yet to come.