Meet the ‘Treycycle’: The Fast ‘Street Legal’ 3-Wheeler Created by Laid Off NASA Workers
- Posted on September 19, 2011 at 3:15pm by
Liz Klimas
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Leave it to NASA scientists, engineers, and workers — or rather former NASA scientists, engineers, and workers that is — to create a three-wheeled motorcycle that goes from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 3.6 seconds. It’s called the Treycycle.
Watch it here:
According to Orlando’s Fox 35 network (via Sky News), CEO and designer of Treycycle Ron Ackley, decided to take advantage of the creative minds left in Florida after NASA’s shuttle program ended in July:
Mr Ackley told Fox 35: “Space centre has laid off so many people and they are being displaced and a lot of them really can’t move. They are stuck with their houses and mortgages.
“I’m hoping to employ between 110 to 130 people within a year. If the company gets bigger, it will be even more.”
(Photo: Treycycle)
The result of hiring NASA scientists and other NASA workers according to Treycycle’s website is the “nation’s first race car engineered but ‘street legal’, built from the ground up, wide wheel base, low center of gravity, rear wheel drive, automotive engine driven 3-wheeler….and it’s being built in the shadow of launch pad 39 A where Atlantis recently stood.”
There is already a wait list of 150 people for the bike, which is run by a Chrysler 300 3.5-litre engine and has 260 horsepower. It has similar gas mileage to a traditional 2-wheel motorcycle — an attractive selling point for gas savings — but with added safety that comes from stability of a third wheel.
According to Michael Shulman, owner of the Florida-based Emerging Growth Institute that is promoting the bike, “this is going to fly.” (Note: he doesn’t mean literally in the air). Production is set to start next month.
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Comments (123)
donh2
Posted on September 19, 2011 at 4:19pmProof that you can fire people who work in government without increasing the unemployment statistics. People clever enough to play all these vicious political games to prevent budget cuts have the necessary talent to start their own business when the big sugar daddy runs out of money. You can actually lower the unemployment rate by firing people in government.The entreprenurial activities layoffs spawn will create genuine lasting stimulous that does not need to be sustained by government subsidies.
Report Post »proantisocialist
Posted on September 19, 2011 at 4:26pmone has to wonder if they are still collecting unemployment
Report Post »Gold Coin & Economic News
Posted on September 19, 2011 at 8:00pmWild! The Treycycle is made right here where I live and I didn’t even know it.
Report Post »http://www.melbourne-palm-bay-living.com/
Bluzie
Posted on September 19, 2011 at 9:06pm@Gold Coin
hmmmm, Go figure I live in the same area and didn’t know the ex Nasa engineers were up to this either. Good for them.
Report Post »troysusan1
Posted on September 19, 2011 at 9:29pmagree that private sector provides lasting jobs,,,,,however these NASA boys dd not come out of pocket for squat they have been picked up by a guy willing to take risk thats all…
Report Post »Ruler4You
Posted on September 20, 2011 at 2:23amPersonally, I don’t believe NASA has actually benefited Americans to the cost of their annual budget. IMHBLO, America and Americans would benefit more from these gifted individuals if they were in the private sector. As this short video demonstrates.
It didn’t take them long to come up with this idea. From concept to product was a short cycle time. (A little production joke, there). Now, if they could only make it as affordable as a space shuttle.
Report Post »Rational Man
Posted on September 20, 2011 at 3:09amYa!…..Ought to be a big market for those things…………..
Report Post »ishka4me
Posted on September 20, 2011 at 8:11amcreated? think this has beeen around a while. any of the science mags have mail order kits for the same thing. Can’t see the big deal here, nasa engineers invent the tricycle? please explain why this is on the blaze
Report Post »Servant Of YHVH
Posted on September 20, 2011 at 8:51amThis definitely shows two things. FIRST, that people don‘t have to sit around on their butt’s all day long after getting layed off or fired. They chose to go the American Way. SECOND, I WANT ONE!!!
Report Post »rockislotis
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 12:28amwell said.
Report Post »jmcenanly
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 6:16amI often wonder if Scott Adams, of Dilbert fame, had ever worked for NASA. The idea of brilliant engineers being thwarted by not so bright management seems to be a common thread.
Report Post »qban
Posted on September 19, 2011 at 4:16pmIt doesn’t impress me, being NASA and all, there are better designs.
Report Post »Check out this canadian trike (T-Rex Campagna)
http://www.campagnamotors.com/
If you are the environmental wako type check this (XR3 Trike Diesel Hybrid)
http://www.rqriley.com/xr3.htm
macpappy
Posted on September 19, 2011 at 4:32pmScrew Canada, and the trike they make.
Report Post »Hickory
Posted on September 19, 2011 at 5:02pmBoth are two front wheels and one is a kit car.
Report Post »JohnGaltSpeaks
Posted on September 19, 2011 at 7:00pmI would actually prefer the Can Am Spyder – two wheels in front, one rear wheel – with stability control, traction control and Anti-Lock brakes. Do a google search for “Can Am Spyder Roadster” to check it out.
Report Post »Melvin Spittle
Posted on September 19, 2011 at 7:14pmThe T-Rex is about $20,000 more than the Treycycle.
Report Post »antiencenom
Posted on September 19, 2011 at 7:51pmThat is how it is done, Dr.oBAMMA
Report Post »Mort
Posted on September 19, 2011 at 4:12pmWhile I won’t buy one, I applaud anyone for starting a business. If there are customers I say let them have at it, and tell the govt to get out of the way. I hope it works out for them. It was a damn shame that we can’t land folks back on the moon or on mars, or have an intergalatic exploration. These folks devoted their lives to building vehicles for space and were quite good at it too. But you have to cut off the producers to feed the moochers. That the hope and change we really needed.
Report Post »troysusan1
Posted on September 19, 2011 at 9:37pmMort,
Report Post »Are you saying that government workers are producers???? So we cut government (personnel), to give more to the moochers?? that would be the taxpayer…
commonsenseguy
Posted on September 19, 2011 at 4:08pmso in Florida you can build a company from the ground up ,and employ laid off people, i just hope they had permits, because if not they will have to start all over, and they better hope their employees don’t try to become union, because they will no longer be a company but a progressive, government propaganda thug factory, but for right now, i say way to go, keep it and i hope more people will take a chance and start their own business. i own a small business, it is getting harder and harder to keep it going ,but,for now i am still here,and hope to be for another 20 years, and hope to employ even more people next year than the 15 i have now, we can only hope an pray we make it.
Report Post »BurntHills
Posted on September 19, 2011 at 4:04pmat lest someone is getting hired. obama has deliberately unemployed and broken millions of Americans if you count their FAMILIES who are affected TOO.
Report Post »mrw
Posted on September 19, 2011 at 4:03pmSeriously, the design is wrong. For stability purposes, the single wheel should be in the rear and the two wheels should be at the front. It’s embarrassing to look at this and know NASA guys designed it.
Report Post »Hickory
Posted on September 19, 2011 at 5:11pmIf you steer a 3 wheeler that has only one back wheel while going fast, it over steers very badly. It can roll. You don’t have that problem with 2 back wheels. But, there are drawbacks to one front wheel. It will skid on loose surface in a turn. The 2 back wheels can be stabilized with a proportional braking system that gets feedback from the position of the front wheel. Then it is ok. The single back wheel cannot be controlled that way because the proportional system only makes it worse. Most high speed systems that have been successful have all had 2 back wheels. China uses large 3 wheel trucks with a single front wheel and they work very well. Oh by the way, I used to be one of those NASA guys. Been there done that and really enjoyed the professionalism of my NASA buddies.
Welcome Black Carter
Posted on September 19, 2011 at 9:09pmIt has to sell to be profitable. This is what people want… not the other way around.
Report Post »DougfrominsolventCA
Posted on September 20, 2011 at 12:28pmI’m with MRW. Have you ever seen Mr. Bean? There was a running joke with a 3 wheeler (one front wheel design) where Mr. Bean would always cause the 3 wheeler to tip over.
Below is the victimized car design. But they are easy to tip back over.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGULcLUr0I4
Also the two front wheel design would have superior braking and more energy absorbing mass if you were to run into anything.
Report Post »Chuck Stein
Posted on September 20, 2011 at 2:24pmA little technical tidbit: 2 wheels in front, 1 in back = “tadpole” configuration.
Report Post »2 wheels in back, 1 in front = “delta” configuration
I really don’t know which is better. I have a tadpole-configured pedal trike (also made in Florida, BTW). It is fun to ride, but I can’t take it everywhere I could go if it were a regular 2 wheeler.
dont_drive_slow_in_the_left_lane_obliviot
Posted on September 19, 2011 at 4:01pmgood to try and pool talent but some serious flaws. trikes are inherently unstable. the motorcycle wheel in front will not be leaning so contact patch may be too small and front wheel traction could be lost. that’s also not much contact patch for braking either. they’ll shut down as soon as somebody gets killed in a rollover. give it a 4th auto wheel and make it a 4 passenger roadster.
Report Post »HTuttle
Posted on September 19, 2011 at 4:00pm“dissipating”
Report Post »ZaphodsPlanet
Posted on September 19, 2011 at 4:00pmI wish them luck in their venture, but I’d feel much safer in my old benz. I also don’t see much in the way of “new ideas” in this product, which has been made before in similar configurations by other people and manufacturers. I guess we can thank the universities for creating so many great minds with so many original ideas. After all, they’re just rocket scientists, not entrepreneurs….LOL
Report Post »rdietz7
Posted on September 19, 2011 at 3:57pmThis is a gimmick people. BS
Report Post »macpappy
Posted on September 19, 2011 at 4:04pmSure gimmicks come with 260hp engines, stainless steel brakes, touring race tires, high proformace transmission, racing suspension, and NASA engineering.
One gimmick for me please.
Report Post »commonsenseguy
Posted on September 19, 2011 at 4:09pmwhat a gimmick, i would love to be able to create a 260 hp, gimmick.
Report Post »macpappy
Posted on September 19, 2011 at 3:54pmAfter looking at the previous comments I can only say, “and what part of NASA did you work for?” Mr. it’s too big, it’s too loud, it’s got bad gas milage, it’s ugly.
Report Post »To the unemployed i say “You go Boys”.
To Obama I say……“In your face Bitch”
Welcome Black Carter
Posted on September 19, 2011 at 9:14pmIf this guy can take a bunch of talented people who never had to create a product that would sell and make money, and make money, I say good on him.
Report Post »tharpdevenport
Posted on September 19, 2011 at 3:53pmAm I the only one who not only DOESN’T want one, but thinks it’s ugly and a waste of the mental talent these NASA guys are supposed to have?
Report Post »JimmyP
Posted on September 19, 2011 at 4:01pmOK, so you give him and and his 100 pals a job jack-wad.
Report Post »oldsoldier10
Posted on September 19, 2011 at 4:03pmNo i think it is UN-good also, these nasa folks need to leave the “chopper” building to the Tuttles. I would like to see a three wheeler BUT with the two wheels in the front, side by side seating, and a single large tire in the rear with a rear mounted motor. like a normal car in the front, and front wheel drive.
Report Post »Bill in Texas
Posted on September 19, 2011 at 4:10pmI would have expected more. 31K? For what? They’ll fold within 24 months. There just isn’t a market for this POS. Good luck guys.
Report Post »trolltrainer
Posted on September 19, 2011 at 4:20pm“There just isn’t a market for this POS.”
I disagree. I just came from the rod run in pigeon forge, TN, and cruising the Great Smokey mountain national park, and let me tell you the number of three wheelers is amazing. I dont get it myself, and I dont see a great many in Florida, but MAN, they are all over up here. Lots of bikes too.
Listen, people still have money. It is a bad economy, but the people who were set before this happened still have money to burn. Lots of boomers closing up shop early and saying the hell with it and buying bikes and rods and other toys and cutting loose.
These guys may make it or they may not…I wish them luck, I think there is a market for this thing as stupidly as it is designed…Like everyone says, it should be two front steering wheels with a single huge back wheel and a big LS6 or equivalent V8…But that is just me…
Report Post »trolltrainer
Posted on September 19, 2011 at 3:52pmWell I like it.
Not as much as a big V Twin…
Report Post »drago
Posted on September 19, 2011 at 3:46pmSaddly, they ruined it, by putting a Chrysler engine in it…….
Report Post »Hickory
Posted on September 19, 2011 at 5:13pmHow about a Hemi? Now that I like.
Report Post »ddg7
Posted on September 19, 2011 at 6:12pm@Drago…Good one!
Report Post »Gkwahlberg
Posted on September 20, 2011 at 2:11pmHow about a Hemi and 400 HP.
Report Post »Mtroom
Posted on September 19, 2011 at 3:45pmTalk about a smart business owner….This company has the right to say…”Approved by N.A.S.A scientists”…What a selling point…..When my financial situation improves, I think I’ll see what this company has to offer…Just think 2-3 years from now what they will come up with….Other C.E.O.’s need to pay attention to these guys
Report Post »cmaczko
Posted on September 19, 2011 at 4:10pmTotally Agree. :) Brilliant – and can’t wait to see what it evolves into – this co could be HUGE. When are they going public???!!!! :)
Report Post »vtxphantom
Posted on September 19, 2011 at 3:43pm31k per copy? Too much. Bring the price down to 15,000.
Report Post »troysusan1
Posted on September 19, 2011 at 9:59pmYep….add another wheel and add a jet fighter canopy and they would sell, but i;m afraid this will simply go unde in its current form
Report Post »ddg7
Posted on September 19, 2011 at 3:43pmDoes anyone believe they were’nt working on this thing while they were working for NASA? Don’t get me wrong, I‘m glad they’re successful. I would just like them to pay back the taxpayers for using NASA resources. On the other hand, if they are successful they will pay back the taxpayers by creating more jobs than Obama. Good going guys!
Report Post »Gary S
Posted on September 19, 2011 at 9:06pmThey probably were. O’Roach-clip telegraphed that he hated NASA because they didn’t use moosie rockets.
Report Post »Dustyluv
Posted on September 19, 2011 at 3:41pmI see regulations in their future….No way this gets off the ground. Which arm of the Government will et them? EPA? DOE? Department of Labor? Inspector General? Department of Commerce? It will probably be the IRS…UNLESS OBAMA LIKES IT!!!!! The they are AOK!!!
Report Post »trolltrainer
Posted on September 19, 2011 at 3:50pm“Which arm of the Government will et them? ”
GM…
Report Post »JimmyP
Posted on September 19, 2011 at 4:03pmNeither Barack nor Moosehell would know what to do with all that power between their thighs.
Report Post »Dustyluv
Posted on September 19, 2011 at 5:55pmI am legally blind…sorry I missed the G…Thanks for pointing it out dipwad…
Report Post »trolltrainer
Posted on September 19, 2011 at 7:01pmHey jackazz, I was not pointing out the “g” in “get”. We all know what you meant. I was replying that General Motors was the arm of the government that will swallow them up.
But thanks for once again proving you are a sorry POS SOB…
Report Post »bikerr
Posted on September 19, 2011 at 8:13pm@Dustyluv——-Dip wad?—-can’t imagine how you now must feel after throwing stones and getting a bigger one tossed back.A Apology is in order, I‘m guessing you won’t be giving one!Now what will that really make you?. I’m referring to the back to school lesson(trolltrainer) gave you.
Report Post »trolltrainer
Posted on September 19, 2011 at 8:23pmDustyluv and I have a bit of a history, he/she has never liked me. That’s okay, we are still mostly on the same side. :-) I was perhaps a bit harsh in my response and it is i that should apologize. I have had the same reaction to innocent posts a few times, I understand Dustyluv’s anger though I surely was not trolling the post, just commenting.
Anyway, I am sorry for the harsh response, I was in a fighting mood already and responded in haste. Let’s just move on, I am sure we both have thick enough skin.
Report Post »Deb C
Posted on September 19, 2011 at 3:41pmyeaaah….just what I need/want/desire in my life.
Report Post »TomFerrari
Posted on September 19, 2011 at 3:34pmReminds me of some of the things people did with VW beetles / dune buggies crossing them with motorcycles. (Not to detract from this, but I see a strong resemblence.)
As for the new company – CONGRATULATIONS !
This is exactly what I have been saying since the downturn started…
When this nation began, people came here from other countries – WITH NO JOBS !
MOST people did not have “jobs” – instead, they were self-employed – a farmer, a butcher, a seamstress, a lawyer, etc. They made their own living, and did not depend on others to “give” them a job.
If we had less bureaucracy, I think MANY MORE people would start their own businesses!
But, with fees, permits, licensing, insurance, unions, more permits, more unions, more fees, more permits, etc., people just don’t…
except for those who do not respect the laws. A report came out last year, stating 40% of ALL THE MONEY changing hands in Los Angeles, does so, UNDER THE TABLE? The study indicated that the primary reason was the abundance of illegal aliens, who just begin businesses, with no permits, no licenses, no insurance, etc., and run them as cash-only businesses. SO, when it comes to starting new businesses, they have the upper hand.
Is it time for AMERICANS CITIZENS to do the same?
.
Report Post ».
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Desertdog982003
Posted on September 19, 2011 at 3:33pmIt will fall over when cornered hard. Why do you think the Feds banned three wheelers?
Report Post »TomFerrari
Posted on September 19, 2011 at 3:40pmThen somebody forgot to tell CanAm and Harley Davidson who both make three-wheeled vehicles.
PLUS, jeeps and SUV’s are known to flip when cornered too hard.
All vehicles have performance envelopes that cannot be exceeded safely.
The key is, just don’t take a left turn doing 90mph!
We don’t need a nanny state protecting us. We need to be responsible and drive responsibly!!!
Report Post ».
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Mtroom
Posted on September 19, 2011 at 3:57pmBan on three wheelers?…that was the old off-road atc’s…not even close to the same thing….three wheelers are on the road every day and have been for a long time…here where i live there is at least four companies that have made three wheelers for over ten years…not to mention Honda and Yamaha have three wheel versions of their tour bikes …this company has already passed all safety issues out there …otherwise they couldn’t be in the production stage
Report Post »trolltrainer
Posted on September 19, 2011 at 4:07pmIf, for whatever reason, I decided to go with a 3 wheeler I would probably look at the canam with the two wheels in the front. Makes more sense that way.
I do like that this is more car-like than bike-like. I wish them luck, I can visualize many cool custom bodies for this thing.
Report Post »tomloy
Posted on September 19, 2011 at 3:29pmThe engine is too big. You don’t need a v6 engine. A 4 cylinder engine would be plenty of power, and you’d get better gas mileage.
Report Post »SgtHenick
Posted on September 19, 2011 at 3:40pmLOL! too big!?!?! I was wondering why he didnt go with a LS-6 V8!!! :D
Report Post »TXPilot
Posted on September 19, 2011 at 3:43pmNASA used to build spaceships and had dreams of reaching the stars…..now, the govt lays off our brightest minds, so they can build overpriced scooters for yuppie biker wanna-be’s…….thank you Obama, you dam#ed traitor!!
Report Post »trolltrainer
Posted on September 19, 2011 at 3:47pm4 bangers have little MPG advantage over V6s these days. Wish I had got the V6 in my Tacoma, the mileage is about the same as my 4.
Report Post »thebabyguy
Posted on September 19, 2011 at 3:27pmHow cool! But wait, let‘s tax ’em good and hard so they can’t “get off the ground” Make them pay their fair share, just in case they become successful. Remember kids, taxes doesn’t affect jobs.
Report Post »Old Truckers
Posted on September 19, 2011 at 3:41pmYes and let’s bring in a union, that will help.
Report Post »TomFerrari
Posted on September 19, 2011 at 3:41pmGood one!
Report Post »SoCalConservative88
Posted on September 19, 2011 at 3:24pm…it’s ugly
Report Post »Old Truckers
Posted on September 19, 2011 at 3:45pmIt is a fiberglass body, so the styling can change. Maybe offer a couple of different bodies for it.
Report Post »hauschild
Posted on September 19, 2011 at 3:21pmToo bad its powered by a Commie engine – Chrysler 300 3.5. Worse would have been a GM engine. Much better would have been an engine from Ford, or something American, but not communist – provided the bottom line numbers all worked.
Report Post »obama-mecca-me-sick
Posted on September 19, 2011 at 3:34pmThe former astronauts and NASA employees will be driving these to Dearborn Michigan to make the muslims feel better about their contributions to math and science.
Report Post »TexasHunter
Posted on September 19, 2011 at 3:36pm@ Haus.. Ford is making a plant now in India.. This is a sad day, but when you are being taxed to death we will lose a lot more American Jobs. The future of America is the unemployment line, unless we change for real. Starting with the corrupt congress and far worst our POTUS POSBHO
Report Post »hauschild
Posted on September 19, 2011 at 4:22pmFord is making a plant in India to service the Indian customer base; which, if you are a Ford shareholder is a good thing because you‘re increasing your product’s reach.
Why do you people feel this is a bad thing? Do you actually think the average Indian vehicle customer can afford a 25 thousand dollar car??? Do you also believe in Santa Claus, or the Tooth Fairy???
I never cared for Chrysler or GM. I have owned several Fords and Drive an Audi now, and yes that’s also a socialist car, but at least Germans come out and tell ya they’re socialists – not to mention Germans understand how to build a luxury/sport car, unlike the Americans, the Japanese, etc.
My next mission has been instead of buying a new car every 5 years, I am going to find out how many miles I can get on this Audi and I also purchased a Honda Shadow 750, which will help from putting miles on my car. I’ve been downsizing dramatically for the last 3 years because I think things are going to get uglier.
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