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Building a quick, cheap fairing

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Adam C
recumbent enthusiast

USA
219 Posts

Posted - 05/09/2012 : 10:51:00

Ant tips on how to build a quick, cheap fairing out of cardboard, plastic sheets, or something similar?

Edited by - Adam C on 05/09/2012 10:51:58

Speedbiker
human power supergeek

USA
1990 Posts

Posted - 05/09/2012 : 11:22:53

Coroplast over a 1/2 inch pvc tube frame.

Adam C
recumbent enthusiast

USA
219 Posts

Posted - 05/09/2012 : 11:39:44

quote:
Originally posted by Speedbiker

Coroplast over a 1/2 inch pvc tube frame.

You mean like this fairing?

http://www.recumbents.com/wisil/practical/hpvpfair.htm

Larry Lem
human power supergeek

South Sandwich Islands
1971 Posts

Posted - 05/09/2012 : 13:35:49

To fit what?
Is there a specific bike in mind, one that's already built?

If one already has female molds for a large fairing, I would make a wet layup with a few layers of fiberglass, then cut those pieces into appropriate sections and fashion brackets to fit the pieces to the bike. There is a good chance it will come out a lot nicer (able to reach higher speeds) than a coroplast fairing.

Having molds is a wonderful thing. It gives one someplace to start, a really big headstart.

Larry Lem

Adam C
recumbent enthusiast

USA
219 Posts

Posted - 05/09/2012 : 14:18:31

quote:
Originally posted by Larry Lem

To fit what?
Is there a specific bike in mind, one that's already built?

If one already has female molds for a large fairing, I would make a wet layup with a few layers of fiberglass, then cut those pieces into appropriate sections and fashion brackets to fit the pieces to the bike. There is a good chance it will come out a lot nicer (able to reach higher speeds) than a coroplast fairing.

Having molds is a wonderful thing. It gives one someplace to start, a really big headstart.

Larry Lem

Looks like our team is going to rent a Bacchetta Strada for next week's Hellyer races. I was thinking last night, maybe we can wrap Meghan with some cardboard , plastic, or transparent aluminum (points to those who get this reference

). I just want a cheap, easily built, fairing that lasts one day.

I do have the molds for this fairing just sitting in my garage, though. I'll check to see if the Strada can fit in this fairing.

Edited by - Adam C on 05/09/2012 14:19:43

Speedbiker
human power supergeek

USA
1990 Posts

Posted - 05/09/2012 : 14:53:22

No Adam. Over on the BROL velocar forum page the are some nice, fast built velos built by framing up a skeleton of pvc and covering it with coroplast. Quite a fun, fast liner can be built that way.

Larry Lem
human power supergeek

South Sandwich Islands
1971 Posts

Posted - 05/09/2012 : 15:00:00

PM sent.

Larry Lem

Adam C
recumbent enthusiast

USA
219 Posts

Posted - 05/09/2012 : 15:39:47

quote:
Originally posted by Speedbiker

No Adam. Over on the BROL velocar forum page the are some nice, fast built velos built by framing up a skeleton of pvc and covering it with coroplast. Quite a fun, fast liner can be built that way.

I looked for this forum page but I couldn't find it. Can you post a link? Thanks.

Speedbiker
human power supergeek

USA
1990 Posts

Posted - 05/09/2012 : 15:51:28

Here you go: http://www.bentrideronline.com/messageboard/showthread.php?t=83506

Now, get busy and let us see the result :-)

jjackstone
recumbent enthusiast

USA
119 Posts

Posted - 05/09/2012 : 16:06:08

"...transparent aluminum (points to those who get this reference."

Not absolutely sure, but maybe Star Trek 4, The Voyage Home.

JJACKSTONE

Adam C
recumbent enthusiast

USA
219 Posts

Posted - 05/09/2012 : 16:51:30

quote:
Originally posted by jjackstone

"...transparent aluminum (points to those who get this reference."

Not absolutely sure, but maybe Star Trek 4, The Voyage Home.

JJACKSTONE

"Transparent aluminium" is actually real today! Perhaps a new fairing material? At $10 per sq. inch it's a bit pricey.

http://dornob.com/transparent-aluminum-glass-like-see-through-metal/

http://blog.makezine.com/2012/01/17/transparent-aluminum/

http://www.ohgizmo.com/2012/05/09/did-you-know-that-transparent-aluminum-exists/

Edited by - Adam C on 05/09/2012 16:55:53

W Hilgenberg
recumbent enthusiast

USA
251 Posts

Posted - 05/09/2012 : 18:25:59

Do you just want her to get time in a faired bike?

Adam C
recumbent enthusiast

USA
219 Posts

Posted - 05/09/2012 : 21:35:39

quote:
Originally posted by W Hilgenberg

Do you just want her to get time in a faired bike?

Yes, that is the goal.

jjackstone
recumbent enthusiast

USA
119 Posts

Posted - 05/09/2012 : 22:12:43

Also you could try this site.
http://www.triketrek11.com/the-machines.html

JJ

alevand
human power supergeek

USA
1645 Posts

Posted - 05/10/2012 : 04:40:20

coroplast, 3 4x8 sheets. $60.

C:
Tony Levand

W Hilgenberg
recumbent enthusiast

USA
251 Posts

Posted - 05/10/2012 : 06:58:58

We will be bringing Gemini up with us. She is welcome to do some riding around in it. . .

Larry Lem
human power supergeek

South Sandwich Islands
1971 Posts

Posted - 05/10/2012 : 08:43:34

Adam,
As you may not have received my message since I didn't receive a reply,

Renting a recumbent for Hellyer implies that Meghan is not already training on a recumbent bike.

First things first.
She should be riding on a recumbent now, and all summer long. Riding a recumbent bike should become second nature so when she does climb into a streamliner with a recumbent bike inside, she is only managing one new task.

Larry Lem

Adam C
recumbent enthusiast

USA
219 Posts

Posted - 05/10/2012 : 08:45:30

quote:
Originally posted by W Hilgenberg

We will be bringing Gemini up with us. She is welcome to do some riding around in it. . .

Wow! Thanks Will. I'll let her know! I think she will be very excited.

Adam C
recumbent enthusiast

USA
219 Posts

Posted - 05/10/2012 : 08:53:09

quote:
Originally posted by Larry Lem

Adam,
As you may not have received my message since I didn't receive a reply,

Renting a recumbent for Hellyer implies that Meghan is not already training on a recumbent bike.

First things first.
She should be riding on a recumbent now, and all summer long. Riding a recumbent bike should become second nature so when she does climb into a streamliner with a recumbent bike inside, she is only managing one new task.

Larry Lem

Hi Larry,

I did get your email. Sorry I didn't get back to you. Work was crazy yesterday and I didn't get home until 9:30 pm. Our goal is to get Meghan in a recumbent ASAP. We are looking into buying a recumbent as a training bike for her while we build her BM bike. We have a lead on a Performer Agenda Mid Racer for about $1,000. If my team agrees to buy this recumbent we'll get it right away. Meghan and I have already discussed a training plan for her. Basically I told her to just ride and put as many miles on her legs as possible. Perhaps by mid-summer we'll start adding interval work. She's a former NCAA D-1 distance runner so she understands the training needs of an endurance athlete.

As for the Hellyer races we thought maybe we can rent a bike for her to ride just to get her feet wet. Will Hillgenberg has graciously offered to let her ride Gemini. That will be fun for her.

Edited by - Adam C on 05/10/2012 09:14:30

PoiterH
New Member

Australia
62 Posts

Posted - 05/14/2012 : 22:22:32

There was an episode of Mythbusters screened here in Oz last night where the guys survived on an island equipped only with silver duct tape. They had lots of rolls of the stuff.
The end was them paddling their 20metre long canoe out to sea.
The canoe was made of bamboo and 2 layers of duct tape. Inside layer sticky side out. Outside layer sticky side in.
Just struck me as a quick and dirty way to make an effective fairing.
Pete

Steven Challenge
recumbent enthusiast

Netherlands
139 Posts

Posted - 05/15/2012 : 02:17:23

What about how they used to build airplanes?

A wooden frame covered with canvas.

I'm actually thinking about making rear fairing on my Challenge Hurricane this way. Two narrow strips of 3mm plywood can be bent and glued together over a mold. It remains the shape after the glue has set. Making the frame with this construction. The fabric to cover would have to be stretchy and lightweight, something like Spandex. Perhaps a coat of resin to keep it weatherproof.

Two questions though: how much does a regular rear fairing weigh? And for front fairing, do I need it to be transparent? I'm going to use the bike for commuting, moderate traffic.

Grant-53
Starting Member

USA
47 Posts

Posted - 05/23/2012 : 20:22:06

Frame from 1/2" aluminum angle stock, PVC, nylon tubing for curves. Skin with 2 or 4 mm Coroplast, milk carton paper, or 1" hex mesh laminated between 0.005" plastic. General shape as a 5:1 airfoil with a 25% Kamm back vertical fin.

TrikeMakto
Starting Member

USA
6 Posts

Posted - 06/15/2012 : 13:57:38

Ok I'm new to forum, but have the same cheap fairing question and a few ideas for which I'm wondering "has it been done before?"

similar to the old airplane construction idea....

I was thinking of trying a few of those curved shower rods laid from nose to tail -- since they are rigid and will hold their gently curved shape -- then covering with stretchy fabric like lycra -- has anyone tried this? it should give a lovely dirigible look

I also considered using tent poles (the camping tent kind) laid from nose to tail the same way covered with stretchy fabric, but I'm guessing they won't be as rigid and will flop around alot

someone mentioned PVC tubing, which I tried once before for a cheap solar car project -- but they didn't seem rigid enough

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