Elio Type Vehicle Resurection --- AKA the BEX

[JEBar]

Mark made a YouTube video showing how he is handling the swing arm bushing for his trike's rear tire


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mul89A597mA

[JEBar]

in response to the question : " Will moving the passenger forward allow for additional trunk storage? Does this make the vehicle shorter or will it remain the same length?"

Mark Responded : "Mostly explained here, and looks like there will be a decent rear parcel shelf as well."


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9xDhNzCMwKs

[JEBar]

Per Mark BEX ....

My eyes are sore.

I have been in CAD for 2 days straight now, trying to work out the swingarm, must have done a 100 variations on the theme.

Happy now, will go to metal tomorrow, it's simpler, neater looking, lower weight, and now fully adjustable with ease for the rear wheel toe and camber.

[JEBar]

Per Mark BEX ....

I am most pleased with the swingarm, I told ya's I would get it into metal today, it's about 80% done.

Only issues are minor, and more in the process of assembly processes than any design problems.​

Second Picture : I have made so many special tools over the years, and added another one today, a simple adaption to my pipe bender to press the swingarm bushings into the swingarm tube.

[JEBar]

when asked : "I really like the look of your new swingarm assembly .... you've reinforced areas that are bound to be stressed by force generated from the retire bouncing down the road .... do you have any concern about its ability to standup to those forces over time ?"


Mark BEX responded : "Nope, it's overbuilt.

An old saying about 3 wheelers is that you can't miss every pothole, the rear wheel will see more than it's fair share, and is overbuilt accordingly.

I have just been in 2D CAD trimming as much fat off it as I can, I tend to overbuild parts and reduce weight later rather than vice versa.​"

[JEBar]

Per Mark BEX ....

Pressed both bushes into the swingarm tube, mounted the swingarm,

Then made some 'J' brackets with pressed in a bush, to bolt to the standard, OEM's strut's lower mounting brackets.​

[JEBar]

when asked : "So if you put wheels on it, do you have a rolling chassis??
Then all you'll need is to hook up a rear brake and you can take her out for a test drive...​"


Mark Responded : "IF I needed to, I could have a "roller" with a day's work, but got other things to attend on it.

It's actually further along than what people may be seeing at the moment.​"

[JEBar]

Per Mark BEX ....

Getting the rear suspension sorted out bit by bit ..

What you are looking at in the video below is practical geometry testing, so its all a bit random, will eventually be a neater presentation.​

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9B-56ZstYXw&t=50s

[JEBar]

Per Mark BEX ....

More work on the rear suspension, optimising it further.

You can see the lever arm angle has been reduced, and the bracket shortened, the gusset doesn't match now, but that's a 'meh' item.

This will do for road testing for the moment, and still have a few adjustment holes to play with.​

[Cofisher]

I truly admire the mind behind this project. The variety of issues resolved is boggling. Well done mate!