Another of my "daft" ideas, is a 3 wheeled Austin 7 Ulster. I've long admired the Ulster, and nearby, Rod Yates produces superb aluminium bodies. I've discussed with him this idea, and it could be done both vintage style using an A7 chassis tapered suitably to the rear to accommodate a suitable swing arm system, with effectively one of his bodies "plonked" on top, or a more spaceframe front end with unequal length wishbones up front, an underslung ladder frame, tapered to take a swing arm and bevel box. It would look superbly vintage and like a 30s French 3 wheeler called a D'Yrsan. The 4 wheeled idea could use a Salisbury rear axle on semi elliptic rear springs. The rear of the chassis would of course impinge into the rear beetleback shape, so unfortunately, there wouldn't bee too much space in the boot/trunk, but slightly more than there is currently.
Unfortunately, Moto Guzzi have now dropped the 1100cc engine and have now gone over to a 1400CC engine, however, the alternator now sits high up within the V, though I suspect it could be moved. Guzzi engines are superbly smooth being 90 degrees.
Another project on my bench is a 1340cc Harley Evo engine to be mounted on to a Guzzi gearbox...not easy, but compact and far lighter than the basic 35kg of the MX5 gearbox. We all know that in effect Harley derived engines are not designed to take the heavy rotating mass of a flywheel and clutch pack, hence the compensator ideas, however, I'm convinced that a lightened flywheel will work, and there are some very light after market Guzzi flywheels about.
Oh well, life would be boring without thinking about this kind of stuff!!
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