Fairing update    #5 Posts: 5 (02/27/09 07:15:00)

Thanks for the Qs.

…The front fairing will have a rigid band around the top of the fiberglass to have the clear plastic mounted well. There will also be a rigid band at the base and hooping across the center of the nose. It will be easy to mount headlight mounts to it using adhesive and/or bolt/nut. You will be able to have a headlight on the forward side of the fairing, eliminating any chance of light ‘bounce-back’.

Jeff Bales, GoblinMotors.com, Tucson, AZ

Fender skirt cover thingies…   #16  Posts: 38 (04/08/09 13:29:28)

Ahem… yes, I AM planning to do some of those. =)

I have already ordered the fender mount brackets that Catrike makes. The fenders won’t be quite like what you’ve drawn, but close. I’ve decided to hold back on drawings of new products on my website because it takes a while to build the prototypes and molds. Folks get impatient (understandably) waiting for me to finish sculpting.

Here’s a list of what I plan to offer for the 700, then other models:
I have a Beechcraft airplane nose cone on the way to me that is going to be modified into a front fairing for the 700.
There will be a windshield/roof available (small and narrow, not like the commuter fairing that I’ve already done).
Front full fender/wheelcovers will be available.
A hard shell seat will be available (mine is almost done).
A lower fairing that mounts just in front of the seat will be available to smooth the air at the lower front wheel struts and seat mount.

A 700 equipped with all of the goodies could be thought of as a velomobile having about 70% fairing coverage.

The idea is not to completely enclose the rider. Even with the windshield/roof the sides will be open. I want it to still be a light, fun trike experience, but with some (speedy) protection from the sun and wind. And besides, you’ve still got to be able to yak with your buds that you have along with you during the ride. It also has to look like it’s going 100 mph sitting still.

As far as carbon fiber goes… I don’t want to get all involved in vacuum bagging, etc. I have the equipment and experience, but I just don’t want the fuss. The products will be light enough as it is and very strong (tooling resin used to make boats). If I start offering these things in carbon fiber I’ll get away from my own level of fun. If the line became successful enough to have one of my employees do the work and I could walk away from doing it myself, perhaps carbon could become available. It’s neat stuff, but I just don’t want to mess with it. Garrie Hill is the king of carbon. Me… I’m a fiberglass man.

Thanks for the compliments, folks. It does my soul some good.

Jeff Bales, GoblinMotors.com, Tucson, AZ

Neck rest    #24   Posts: 45  (04/14/09 07:12:42)

…I haven’t announced this yet, but I will be making a super squishy rubber neck rest pad that is designed to conform to the neck. It will mount to a fiberglass plate that will attach to the existing Catrike neck rest. It will be molded rubber that has ribbing on the back for lighter weight and shock absorption. It will be impervious to UV and chemicals. I have years of experience as a furniture designer (and years of chiropractic neck adjustments due to a horrible bike/truck wreck) and want to have a high performance cushion available. A neck rest is like a pair of sunglasses… one style may work, but not 100% for everyone. My offering won’t work perfectly for everyone either. A lot of folks are very happy with the stock neck rest…

Jeff Bales, GoblinMotors.com, Tucson, AZ