Ian's June 17th update MORE PICS!

[Derwin]

IanBruce (http://www.flytheroad.com/)
Administrator (http://flytheroad.com/blog/forums/profile.php?id=128)


More progress.

Steve Duffy (EVP Engineering) and I were down at the fabricators reviewing the progress on mold-making today. It's all going well -- in fact, we're now cutting the larger panels, like the doors:

http://www.flytheroadclub.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=519&stc=1&d=1213743176

Here's a sample we pulled off the mold this morning. As you see, there's a lot of finishing work to be done:

http://www.flytheroadclub.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=520&stc=1&d=1213743176



I want the keep the glass as close to the surface as I possibly can, which may require a custom "H" gasket. Speaking of glass, those molds are all prepped and ready to fly:

http://www.flytheroadclub.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=521&stc=1&d=1213743176


We also have 2 engineers from Carver here assisting us with electrical, steering, and propulsion integration:

http://www.flytheroadclub.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=522&stc=1&d=1213743176


http://www.flytheroadclub.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=523&stc=1&d=1213743176


It's been quite a busy day so far. I'll have more for you later as we go.
-- Ian


Posted: 2008-06-17 17:25:09 # (http://flytheroad.com/blog/forums/topic.php?id=763&page=4#post-16216)

[MVRacing]

So, my first question back to Ian (after the WOW!, Thanks!) was if the final production Vhatever will use the Carver front suspension, or it it has been redesigned by Swift?
I'm hoping he'll answer =y:

[MVRacing]

IanBruce
Administrator
MVR - "Will the final production model use the same Carver front suspension design? Or has it been modified by Swift?"

The Alpha will use the unmodified Carver front-end. The production vehicle will likely be different. As AZEqualizer noted, we want to increase the low-speed wheel deflection to tighten up the turn radius.

[Derwin]

IanBruce
Administrator

Hi JoeM. Welcome to the forum. you wrote:


The front swing arm reminds me of the Yamaha GTS1000. Was that an inspiration?

Actually, the James Parker designed Yamaha GTS1000 front suspension was used on the original Carvers -- until Carver created their own version.

If you want to learn more about this suspenseful topic -- that is, motorcycle suspension -- you should read what my friend, the brilliant Tony Foale has to say:

http://www.tonyfoale.com/Articles/

Posted: 2008-06-17 20:31:27 #

[MVRacing]

IanBruce
Administrator

comment from johnhead

Front wheel vertical travel is still a concern of mine with regards to the fender placement and the front "lip" of the body...

Good catch.

The normal vertical travel you'd see is about 3.75" (9.5cm). We've also calculated the total motion envelope of the front suspension including "jounce" -- the kind of jarring event you'd encounter hitting a pothole or other hazard.

http://www.flytheroadclub.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=528&stc=1&d=1213798497

As you might guess, we've adjusted the nose to accommodate this:

http://www.flytheroadclub.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=527&stc=1&d=1213798497

[MVRacing]

IanBruce
Administrator

There's been so much speculation on cockpit layout that I thought I'd give you a taste of where we're going directionally. This is a very simple diagram, and there are some missing elements -- but as you see, visibility shouldn't be a problem with this vehicle.

http://www.flytheroadclub.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=530&stc=1&d=1213798774

Posted: 2008-06-18 01:36:38 #

[Mike kZ]

Man, I can just see myself sitting in that cockpit right now!! :)

[MVRacing]

I, for one, do still prefer a yoke type steering wheel from one of these early drawings. I like the design direction Vv is going! Visability looks great! =y:

[waboom]

Like the cockpit design evolution - simple, little in the way of distractions, and visibility looks good. I agree with MVRacing though - I wish for the return of the yoke. Baring that, maybe just flatten the bottom of the steering wheel as shown in the yoke picture, or like the Audi's R8? Just another little tweak to differentiate this vehicle from your normal commuter (like it needs any more differentiating!)

I'm guessing with that placement, though, that if you ever wanted to change CDs in the player, that the slot would be accessed by reaching through the steering wheel. Not exactly a maneuver I would like to attempt while driving down the road.

[MontyInNJ]

http://www.flytheroadclub.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=532&stc=1&d=1213809898

[smoove7410]

^^That is the steering wheel that they should use. I love the squared up bottum.

[MVRacing]

IanBruce
Administrator

Speaking of interior controls... Our propulsion people handed us this little gem from Azure Dynamics:

http://www.flytheroadclub.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=535&stc=1&d=1213845775

It measures more than 6" x 4" x 3", is mostly empty, and look like a refugee from the set of Young Frankenstein. Not to worry. We'll find something a bit more sophisticated.



Posted: 2008-06-18 21:24:28 #

[waboom]

Yeah, I can really see someone cruising in their V1 with their hand casually resting on that "shifter"=n:

[RAN]

It needs to play a soundtrack of a drawbridge being cranked up or down when you move that gargantuan handle :cool:

[CelticFlyer]

Man, if you don't get jazzed by seeing these pix, then you haven't got a pulse!

[waboom]

First we had a total drought from Ian, now he's feeding us with a firehose.=D
Good times, indeed.

[MVRacing]

Enjoy it while it lasts !!! =y: =y: