Modern homemade microcar idea ?

[CompoSimmonite]

In the latest, Centenary, issue of RUMCAR News there is an article about homebuilt microcars of the past.
Currently I've got a Microcar RJ125 but have also owned an Isetta, Berkley T60, Microcar DX125, Piaggio Vespacar P50, Aixam 500 as well as a Lomax 424 and 2 x Honda TN550 / Acty's.
For many years I've had the ambition to build my own but don't know if talking about it here would be a taboo subject 
Anyone else building , have built or want to build their own modern microcar ?
My "spec" is single seater, two front, one rear wheels, 150cc or under (for cheaper road tax) and aim for economy rather than speed.

Paul H

[marcus]

Various other people here have built their own cars or kits. Most are probably keener on the known makes, but it is certainly not a taboo area and I think you will find a fairly positive response, certainly from me! good luck with it, and keep us posted, the idea and layout sounds pretty good.

[cuscus47]

Smart51 has a posting on his progress, here is a link

http://www.locostbuilders.co.uk/viewthread.php?tid=96409

Don't know the current status but I hope that we will be enlightened shortly.   Ian.

[Bob Purton]

Hi Paul. Taboo subject? To the contrary! I think most on the forum are interested in home builds, it only becomes a sticky subject when old classic microcars are the subject of customising or heavy modification. I'm half way through a home build myself at the moment but taking a slightly different path by using all period components instead of modern.   Bob

[Smart51]

Smart51 has a posting on his progress, here is a link

http://www.locostbuilders.co.uk/viewthread.php?tid=96409

Don't know the current status but I hope that we will be enlightened shortly.   Ian.

Things haven't been moving so quickly since the baby was born but the car is coming along.  Mostly I've been making moulds and parts from bucks or adding and sanding back body filler.  It doesn't look much different than what you can see.

I went for a 250 engine hoping to keep up with traffic round town but I too am looking for economy rather than speed.  The key to economy is light weight.  I'd also perhaps suggest a manual box rather than an auto, even though mine is automatic.

[AndrewG]

The key to economy is light weight.  I'd also perhaps suggest a manual box rather than an auto, even though mine is automatic.

Yes, the rubber belt CVT transmissions on modern scooters and mopeds work well but they are very inefficient - my twin-cylinder Yamaha T-max (500cc, but less than 40hp) had a air cooling system just for the transmission belt, which tells you how much power got used up there.  They are also fairly inflexible as you can't alter the overall gearing to suit microcar use.  But they are convenient, and plentiful.

Andrew

[Smart51]

The key to economy is light weight.  I'd also perhaps suggest a manual box rather than an auto, even though mine is automatic.

you can't alter the overall gearing to suit microcar use

Most popular scooters have gear up kits available for them from scooter tuning companies.  You can readily increase the gearing provided yours is a popular model.