So...I need some people to cheer me on...

[melnjones]

Ok. I'm really big on the whole environment issue, especially when it comes to cars. I can't afford a hybrid car or a diesel, and the few really fuel efficient manuals that are around go really fast. I was going to buy a used one a few months ago but the seller backed out on me, so I was left with this 93 park avenue with a turbo charged engine so it only runs on premium. Not my idea of environmentally or economically sound, but I had already poured $400 into a rental and had to get a vehicle. My old car died and was beyond repair.

So, I'm stuck with this beast of a car that I definitely see as a temporary vehicle. What I really really want to do is build my own car from plans at rqriley.com. Of course whenever I mention this to people they think I'm absolutely nuts because 1) I'm a girl and 2) I haven't done anything like this before. I really think I could do it though, with some help of course, but I don't see why I couldn't do something like this if I really set out to do it. I'm a smart girl and pretty good with technical stuff once I learn about it. I have a detached garage that's too small for my beastly car to fit, so I have a secure place to work on a big project. There are a couple plans I'm looking at starting with. Ideally I'd start with this one http://www.rqriley.com/t-car.html but it might be too complex so I'm considering starting with this one instead http://www.rqriley.com/u-trike.htm. The latter is far less practical, but is a lot more realistic and would save on gas costs whenever the weather is good enough to use it. Eventually I want to build this http://www.rqriley.com/xr3.htm but the plans won't even be available for awhile yet b/c the prototype isn't finished.

Ugh...so I really really want to do this. I know it would mean investing money in materials and parts and especially some tools that I don't already have. I know that there will be times I'll need the help of other people who are more experienced with this kind of thing. But yeah, my dad is adamant that I am being ridiculous and should just save my money for a better car and this is stuff he doesn't even think HE would be able to do so there's no way I could do it, blah blah blah. Which of course makes me want to do it even more. I feel VERY strongly that we need people to start taking drastic measures to combat the oil and auto industries and the pollution they cause, because the technology is out there to make amazingly fuel-efficient vehicles but we're just not doing it. It will take people who are willing to do it themselves in their garages to start a movement towards better sustainability in these areas, and I don't want to be someone who talks about it but doesn't actually ever DO anything...but it is a bit daunting to consider tackling a big project like this, especially as a girl. So, friends, advice? Encouragement? What should I do?

[noamnety]

1. What skills do you need for this?

Welding? Fiberglass work? If it were me, I'd find that out, and try my hand at a small project requiring each of those skills first, to build some confidence. If you aren't already sure what skills are needed, I would email the company and ask. You'll get an idea of their customer service that way, if nothing else.

We'd help you out, you know. The husband here is a car person, he supervised while I did my last brake job. Another DUer who wanders around the feminist forum is getting her welding degree. And I know another woman who has converted diesel engines that could give advice in a pinch.

In other words, you wouldn't be without a support system. I don't see why this can't be a combined feminist/automotive forum. :)

[melnjones]

2. See, I love this forum.

here's a more detailed pic of the makeup of the urbatrike. I'm not sure how much welding there would be, but there would be a good bit of fiberglass work. It looks like there are a lot of online forums where I could go for help with the fiberglass body, and the plans sound pretty detailed. There is a page on using foam construction and fiberglassing to build the body here http://www.rqriley.com/frp-foam.htm. I figure, if nothing else, I could buy the plans and go from there. If I decide not to build it, I'm only out $95 and I could probably sell the plans to someone else or something. I really think I should start with the smaller urbatrike. My dad thinks that is stupid b/c the trike isn't very useful in bad weather so it would be a waste of money, but I figure that if I build it successfully and move on to something bigger and more useful, I can always sell the urbatrike.

Ugh, I so want to do this! I really want to learn about automotive stuff but there just aren't many places a girl can go to learn so I figure I might as well teach myself. Thanks for your words of support though :pals:

[noamnety]

3. Try your hand at fiberglassing something small first

I did a little bit of fiberglass work when I was younger. It's kind of sticky weird stuff to work with, so you'd want to try something not too important for your first project. Before investing in the plans, I'd get some fiberglass, the resin goop, a respirator (that part's important), and try covering something with it to practice getting a smooth surface.

*use it in a VERY well ventilated area.

*it heats up when it sets. A lot. If you decide to put it over paper mache, don't leave it anywhere inside while it sets, because what you DON'T want to have happen is that it catches a spark from something and burns up everything that you need in life, leaving you desperate, broke, and enlisting in the army. Trust me on this one. (please see avatar) :)

[Warpy]

13. I find this perfectly adequate for short (under 10 miles one way)

trips here in the city:



Because it's light and small it has decent range and decent speed on only 24 volts worth of battery power. It's hauled a couple of cases of soda plus two full grocery bags with no loss in power.

Will that bike have an on board charger, or do you have to deal with that separately?

It looks interesting, at any rate. Will you have to weld that frame, or does most of the bike come with pieces just ready to bolt together? If it's the latter, it's really not that difficult. I had to put my bike together, took me a whole 20 minutes, packing the stem and everything.

[MuseRider]

4. WOW! Go for it.

As mentioned above, you might want to try some smaller things just to get the hang of it. That is called practice, NOT giving up (for your skeptical others). The only thing I would worry about is getting all the heavy stuff in place. I don't know how to do any of this stuff but I do what I can on my tractor. Putting in the battery I needed help because it was very heavy and in a difficult place, even for the guy who helped me. I do know that my father was gifted with mechanical knowledge. He would not teach me since I was a girl and would always have a man to do it :eyes: so now at this age I just jump in. I have taken apart our rototiller and fixed it without problem, just follow the manual and have the basic skills and you should be OK.

I am proud that you, as a mere woman :eyes:, would take this on. I can't help you with skills but I would certainly cheer you on, it very well may be frustrating at times.

I bought and started a farm all by myself. The community of males took bets on how long I would last, I was cause for lots of humor. That was 11 or so years ago. We are now building our house on my fairly successful farm/ranch. I did it all myself. It is hard but you will feel so good about yourself.

[melnjones]

5. Maybe I'll start with something like this instead...

http://www.rqriley.com/chopper.htm

I've wanted an electric bike for awhile and this looks fairly inexpensive, plus it would give me welding experience and an opportunity to invest in some tools.

I'd love to hear more about your farm sometime!

[MuseRider]

8. That might be a good idea.

You know, the only thing that worries me about this project is that it is something you are going to put yourself in and hurl on down the road. I have a couple of friends who built airplanes (guys) and one of them has already crashed his because he did something wrong. It is probably my "mother" self talking and worrying, sorry. I always do that and it is rarely welcomed by my grown up friends.

My farm is just a place for my horses and I grow grass to feed them and some of the cattle around there. It is harder to grow feed grass than most people think, I learned that the hard way :). It is only about 53 acres but that has been more than enough to keep me really busy!

[melnjones]

9. Don't worry, I'll use a helmet:-)

Besides, it only has a top speed of 30 mph, and me being my overly cautious self, I'm sure I'll be riding it at about 5 mph for the first few hours.

[MuseRider]

10. Thank you

I feel so much better now. I wish I did not feel the need to mother the world but there it is. :)

[melnjones]

11. lol I'm the same way, don't worry:-) nt

[ThomCat]

6. You sound far more competent to build it

than I would be.

If any guy gives you a hard time feel free to tell them that you inherited whatever mysical building-things penis mojo I was supposed to get. :P

[cally]

7. If you are committed to it, then I bet you

will make it work. The only concern I would have is to make sure your state allows vehicles like this on the road. I would expect that some states won't register vehicles made from a kit and allow them on the road. Let us know how it goes.

As an aside, my father is incredibly mechanical and never took the time to teach me. My husband's father did try to teach him. It took me a few years after our marriage to realize that I'm much better at this stuff than he is. If you believe you are capable, then I think you could do it. Don't let your father's skepticism get in your way.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

12. Your community college probably has a course in basic auto mechanics

Take it to find out how regular cars work, and then you'll have a better idea of what you can do to improve fuel economy (in concrete terms, rather than just "make it lighter and smaller").