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Voyager Prototype

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Sources
Name:             The Voyager
Built:            1989
By:               SCL
Numbers:          5

Specification
Chassis:          Brazed Steel square tube with folded sheet
                  Stressed engine
Front Suspension: New design based on Bob Tait centre Hub
                  U/J steering column
Rear Suspension:  Moto Guzzi California Swing arm, Twin Hagon Shock
Drive train:      Reliant 850cc, Car engine
Brakes:           AP Disks
Tyres:            4*18
Tank:             4 Gallons
Bodywork:         GRP
Others:           SU Pump
                  Pistol grip bars with trigger throttle
                  Padded steering area
                  Metalastic swing arm bearings
                  2*5" Cibie
                  Volvo seat with adjustable lumbar support and heated seat
                  Seat adjustable for passenger

Dimensions
Wheelbase:        63.5"
Width:            24"
Length:           85"
Seat Height:      20"
Weight:           550 lbs

Claimed Performance
Cruising Speed:   90 mph
Top Speed:        100 mph
Fuel Consumption: 50mpg

Tait/Voyager Front End

The front end design of the Voyager was a development of the Bob Tait patented Centre Hub system. This is many ways similar to the Difazio System.

It has a solid cast aluminium "axle" that runs across the front of a swinging fork. In the middle of the hub this holds a spherical bearing set slightly behind the centre of the wheel. Pivoting on this is a cylinder which holds the wheel bearings. Bolted to this cylinder, a pair of uprights go up either side of the wheel and carry the brake calipers. The uprights join across the top of the wheel where a second spherical bearing is connected to an A frame that runs back to the main chassis. In the Voyager, this A frame was made up of a cross piece with two screw threads going back to the frame and one going forwards to the upright bearing.

The top of the uprights have two drag links that go back to a another cross piece with spherical bearings at each end. This crosspiece is at the bottom of a small steering head and at the top a universal joint attaches to a steering stem that tilts back towards the rider. At the top of this is a "triple clamp" that holds the handlebars, switches and levers. Suspension is via a pair of conventional shock absorbers from Hagon.

This design allows relatively small wheel bearings compared with the Difazio and a larger steering lock, similar to a conventional design. Steering lock is limited by the lower swing arm rather than the hub. The extensive adjustability allows rake and trail to be easily changed and adjustments are available to allow for manufacturing tolerances in the main frame. The whole arrangement is extremely strong. On the downside, there are six spherical bearings, a UJ and four tapered rollers in the steering path which almost inevitably introduce steering stiction similar to a friction steering damper.