I've been pondering the idea of a 3-wheeled motorcycle powered vehicle. There are a lot of squids around here, which means an ample supply of low mileage sport bikes with bent forks and frames. I didn't see much in the rule book, but I may have been looking in the wrong place.
Forget it.
3 wheelers are inherently unstable. As region SSS, I would never pass one to run, even by cart standards. You might have better luck in another region, but I wouldn't count on it.
As an autocross tech chief, I'd have to flunk it as well for the instability reason.
There you have it. It won't pass safety, it won't pass tech.
Buy a Miata.
Not even one of these?
http://www.campagnamotors.com/T-REX/intro.html#
There's also an electric version - http://ww.autobloggreen.com/2007/12/04/evs23-photo-gallery-of-t-rex-electric-motorcycles/
Steam rollers seem to be fairly stable. With a lowering kit...maybe...
3 wheeled vehicles expressly excluded from SCCA events
The DOT considers 3-wheeled vehicles as motorcycles.
NYG95GA wrote: Forget it. 3 wheelers are inherently unstable. As region SSS, I would never pass one to run, even by cart standards. You might have better luck in another region, but I wouldn't count on it.
Not stable? 
I've seen tons of 4 wheeled VWs lift a wheel and turn into three wheelers, nobody said those weren't stable! I dare you to try and lift a wheel on the three wheeled VW shown. Open your mind NYG, there's some fun to be had in a three wheeler if you go at it the right way. 
Bryce
Nashco wrote: . Open your mind NYG, there's some fun to be had in a three wheeler if you go at it the right way.
I'm not saying it couldn't be done, just that I wouldn't pass one on my course. That is a mighty cool ride, BTW>
hotg54b wrote: The DOT considers 3-wheeled vehicles as motorcycles.
That is precisely (exclusively?) why I like them. Fewer regulations.
Bummer about being excluded, I might still have to build one.
This is a good looking build too, imo.
http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2008/05/28/honda-powered-twisted-trike/
"TIG welded tube frame built just 2 tubes short of SCCA specs" I guess they need to update that to include "and one wheel"
I would love to build something like that VW
xci_ed6 wrote: This is a good looking build too, imo.
What if you built something like the ride shown above but then had removable outriggers (training wheels) to provide stability? Thereby creating a 5 wheeled vehicle for use in competiton and a 3 wheeled vehicle for street use (and regulations.)
Or, buy a Miata.
So you're saying this would be legal when the outriggers are down?
BMW K-1100 powered; my birthdayis in August and Christmas comes the same time every year. 
http://www.ecomobile.com/
Edit: Re: the photo above; it's wicked easy to smoke a crotch rocket's rear tire, how much less traction would you get with the additional weight up front?
Ever get into ice boats? They are shaped like a "T" with two stationary runners in back and one up front that steers. In the 1800's and early 1900's they had two up front and one in the rear that steered. I don't know why they changed, but I do know that the ones with the single runner in back are more stable for the passsengers as the front, 28 feet away will lift keeping the passenger area flat. My old DN would lift one rear blade and you were literally flying 3 feet off the ice at 50 mph. Ice is not very forgiving BTW.
Our sailing club has one made in the 1920s. Single out back, two up front, 34 feet long, huge gaff rigged main and jib. There is a famous race between an ice boat and a train from Coxsackie to NYC; ice boat won.
Hee Hee, He said Coxsackie.
Anybody remember the Grinnall Scorpion?
http://www.3wheelers.com/grinnal.html
914Driver wrote: So you're saying this would be legal when the outriggers are down? BMW K-1100 powered; my birthdayis in August and Christmas comes the same time every year.
No, not legal. From the SCCA rulebook:
12.1 AUTOMOBILE (CAR) A self-propelled land vehicle, running on at least four wheels, not in a line, which must be in contact with the ground when at rest.
And sometimes we wonder why our Challenge rules keep getting longer and more complex....
Simply split the back wheel into two wheels side by side. If I remember correctly the Tomahawk motorcycle had two front and two rear wheels for stability but they were so close they looked like one.
DING DING DING!!!! We have a winner!
Rules don't say they can't be directly side-by-side, just "not in a line".
David S. Wallens wrote: 12.1 AUTOMOBILE (CAR) A self-propelled land vehicle, running on at least four wheels, not in a line, which must be in contact with the ground when at rest.
Typically, a bike with training wheels would rest on two wheels in the back. Since there are two wheels in the front, would this make 4 wheels at rest?
jrw1621 wrote:David S. Wallens wrote: 12.1 AUTOMOBILE (CAR) A self-propelled land vehicle, running on at least four wheels, not in a line, which must be in contact with the ground when at rest.Typically, a bike with training wheels would rest on two wheels in the back. Since there are two wheels in the front, would this make 4 wheels at rest?
Theoretically, yes.
David S. Wallens wrote:914Driver wrote: So you're saying this would be legal when the outriggers are down? BMW K-1100 powered; my birthdayis in August and Christmas comes the same time every year.No, not legal. From the SCCA rulebook: 12. AUTOMOTIVE DEFINITIONS The following definitions shall apply to these Rules regardless of any other definitions or interpretations. 12.1 AUTOMOBILE (CAR) A self-propelled land vehicle, running on at least four wheels, not in a line, which must be in contact with the ground when at rest. And sometimes we wonder why our Challenge rules keep getting longer and more complex....
I still want one. If you go to Germany and buy an Ecomobile from the parent company, they bring you to Nurburgring for lessons.
easy solution, put an outrigger (only one if you really want to be a smartass) with a creeper wheel or caster from a toolbox on it that touches the ground at rest. hinge it where it attaches at the body to keep it from interfering with the handling.
The Berkeley T60 (trike) was developed after designers watched the 4 wheelers routinely lift a rear wheel while racing. It is as stable as any 4 wheeler I've owned... it might understeer off the course, but it's not likely to flip.
A trike with a single rear wheel is likely more stable than a four wheeler that lifts a rear wheel in hard cornering.
On the other hand, I've never driven a stable trike with a single front wheel (sold my hotrod Bond Bug because it was so unstable)
Bill
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