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John Ewan's Recliner

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Sources
Name:             John Ewan's Fully Enclosed Recliner
Built:            Mid '80s
By:               John Ewan
Numbers:          1

Specification
Chassis:          Steel tube
Front Suspension: Difazio
Rear Suspension:  Standard Swing arm
Drive train:      Kawasaki GPz1100
Brakes:           Lockheed
Tyres:            Standard
Tank:             None!
Bodywork:         GRP

Dimensions
Wheelbase:        
Width:            
Length:           
Seat Height:      
Weight:           

Claimed Performance
Cruising Speed:   
Top Speed:        
Fuel Consumption: 

The Visit

A bunch of UK FFers paid a visit to Imperial College to see the bike recently and here's a few pictures of that visit.

The bike is stored in a corridor outside the mechanical engineering workshop to encourage the students and spur their imaginations on to greater things. It's looking a little sorry for itself but the shape is still "drop dead gorgeous". It's got a front mounted air cooled GPZ1100 engine with Difazio front end and some rather wobbly handlebars. As a design study its very interesting, but as a realistic road bike, its never going to fly. There are just too many things that are hopelessly impractical. It was originally built as a final year design study and the rights are still owned by IC. It's looked after by John's tutor, Paul Ewing.(p.ewing@ic.ac.uk).

Here's a few notes from Matt Rutter:-

• Access. Appallingly difficult to get in! Needs door cut into near side, and slimline engine installing!
• Legality. Needs lights and mirrors. Taillights ok but no obvious space for headlight. Modern car headlights are getting very shallow, perhaps one could be squeezed in at base of screen? possibly fit periscope-style mirror in roof. Also needs instruments.
• Comfort. There was very little suspension travel, so increase ride height to provide more; pray this doesn't bugger up the suspension geometry! Fit seat! Fit w/c engine to avoid overheating pilot. Fit interior panels round engine to kill noise. fit gas-ram to lifting roof, and internal release!
• Engine. Partly covered above, maybe use VT500/NTV600/650/PC800. All w/c and shaft drive. Radiator needs to be found a home, and ducted. Seat may need raising to clear shaft.
• Landing gear. Hydraulic legs with nylon feet must go! Needs wheels like Ecomobile. Is this even possible given packaging constraints?
• Fuel tank. Would be usefull!
• Others. Needs windscreen wiper and demister. Probably loads of things I haven't thought of!
• Otherwise, a beautiful and well thought out machine!

Paul Blezard squeezes into the machine while Andi McBurnie looks on.

The Difazio front end on full left lock. Note that this version uses just the steering drag links at the top of the uprights. Some people have mounted an A frame back to the main chassis from the middle of the uprights to provide more strength. This can cause problems with the rose joints unless great care is taken with the geometry. It ought to be possible to use the A frame with one drag link, which would deal with this. As pictured, the limit on lock was the hub and not the swing arm which still had about an 1" clearance.

Matt Rutter leans nonchalantly against the back of the machine with the cockpit open.

The rear view.