Interpretation ID: 1982-3.14

TYPE: INTERPRETATION-NHTSA

DATE: 10/22/82

FROM: AUTHOR UNAVAILABLE; Frank Berndt; NHTSA

TO: Bede Design Inc.

TITLE: FMVSR INTERPRETATION

TEXT:

Mr. James R. Bede President Bede Design Inc. 901 E. Orchard Street Mundelein, Illinois 60060

Dear Mr. Bede:

This in reply to your letter of September 29, 1982, asking for an interpretation that your modified motorcycle is a "motorcycle" under the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. In addition to the standard motorcycle configuration of a single front and rear wheel, your design incorporates two small wheels in outrider positions, both of which hold the vehicle at rest, but which, in motion, do not touch the ground simultaneously. The purpose of the wheels is to add stability so that in a left turn the left outrider will touch the ground, and in a right turn, the right wheel.

This configuration appears to meet the definition of "motorcycle" contained in 49 CFR 571.3(b) as a machine "designed" to travel on not more than three wheels in contact with the ground." Although the vehicle rests on four wheels, it travels on only two or three depending upon whether it is proceeding in a straight direction or in a turn.

We appreciate your interest in motorcycle safety.

Sincerely,

Frank Berndt Chief Counsel

Mr. Frank A. Berndt Chief Counsel National Highway Transportation Safety Administration 400 7th Street, S.W.

Washington D.C. 205900

Dear Mr. Berndt,

We have developed a very efficient, high-mileage modification of a motorcycle. Not only have we significantly reduced the aerodynamic drag, which accounts for the one hundred mile per gallon plus mileage that we have been able to obtain from this vehicle, but we have also substantially enhanced the safety characteristics of a standard motorcycle.

Fundamentally what we have done is taken a standard motorcycle, split the frame, and put a 5 1/2 foot extension between the front wheel assembly and the rear wheel the engine assembly. To this we then added a computer designed streamlined body around the entire motorcycle frame. The body is fabricated from urethane RIM high- impact material and also incorporates numerous internal structural frames for energy absorption in all directions that may result from impact. Attached to the sides of this streamlined body are two outrigger wheels that provide rollover stability during turns and at a standstill.

We see this vehicle as an efficient, safe commuter vehicle that could be made available as a complete unit ready-to-drive as well as a retro fit kit for present motorcycle owners to convert their bikes to this type of vehicle. The purpose of this letter is to ask your office to verify that this vehicle meets the requirements of a motorcycle.

The vehicle is designed so that the front and rear motorcycle wheel essentially carry the entire weight of the vehicle. The two balancing outrigger wheels have been designed so that when one is in contact with the ground, the other is approximately 1 1/2 inches off the ground. When this vehicle is driven, it drives on the two main wheels either one of the outrigger wheels sometimes in contact with the ground and other times not. When making a turn, we have found that it is best to permit the vehicle to turn in an upright position with the outrigger wheel located on the outside of the turn to be in contact with the road thus providing rollover stability. This configuration is found to be the easiest to handle and seemingly the safest when operating on snow or wet slippery surfaces. The handling and turning stability is equal to or in excess of the present four-wheel automobile. The vehicle as we originally designed it would permit the operator to raise the two outrigger wheels so that when suitable speed is obtained the vehicle could maneuver and turn like a motorcycle. This would require the whole body to lean into a turn and all side loads to be absorbed by the two main wheels. This configuration would be very enjoyable to drive and maneuver, however it would provide less safety in bad weather operations. For example, if one of the wheels would lose its traction, the vehicle might skid or roll an excessive amount before the balancing outrigger wheels could permit the driver to regain control. For this reason we have chosen the arrangement the allows one outrigger wheel to remain close to the ground while the other one is in contact. Although this system is not as enjoyable to maneuver, it is safer.

Therefore, we would like your advise and guidance as to the best way for this vehicle, and those converting their motorcycles, to maintain their motorcycle classifications. I am enclosing several photographs of the vehicle that illustrate the "three- wheel in contact with the ground" as well as an information booklet that dicusses additional technical features of this design.

Very truly yours,

BEDE DESIGN, INCORPORATED

James R. Bede President

JRB/se

Enclosures

Last fall we drove our prototype vehicle from Cleveland to Washington D.C. and had the opportunity to have Mr. Karl Clark of N.H.T.S.A. along with others form the agency view our vehicle.