Mk11 Voyager Hub Centre steering" wheel units

A batch of ten units has been produced by a group of BFF club members. They are a development of the Mk1 Production Voyager front hub and the Mk1.5 unit used on the Yellow Voyager. They are 1.4Kg (3lbs.) lighter than the Mk1 and Mk1.5 designs, whilst retaining all the same major components, lock and component count. They are available with a 20 spoke wheel rim to choice (Nominally an MT350x17 rim, cannot be smaller than MT3.50x16) and comprise the complete wheel unit as removed for tyre fitment. The first unit in use completed 10,000 Kilometres (6,000 miles) of testing by the end of 2002. It clearly meets targets for improved suspension and steering quality. This is the best specification 'suspended steering' system for single track vehicles currently available on Earth.

See the (photo) of the prototype Mk1.5, and the photo, below, of the Mk 11 unit under test, both fitted to the Yellow Voyager.

These units are used in conjunction with a fabricated upper wishbone, lower lower fork and 'upright'. Individual vehicle builders may wish to make these parts themselves but fabrications and geometry for this hub unit have been designed. These designs are available as paper drawings or AutoCad files. The designs include sheet developments, machined part details and part numbers of bought-in components. "A" level metalwork skills are adequate for constructors. They are untested prototype designs

This is part of the batch of MkII hubs. The unit has 36 degrees of lock each side and permits over five inches of suspension movement. The 100mm ID wheel bearings are rated for 350 mph. Castings are heat-treated LM25, except for the calliper carriers which are SG iron. The axle is an EN16T forging. The ball joint at the centre of the axle is a standard automotive part. The unit is filled with synthetic grease which is not affected by water. The grease seals run on steel rings. The unit is built to Metric dimensions and uses standard Unbrako metric fastenings(292 KB jpg)

The 290mm twin disc set-up, in SG iron by PFM Lltd., the leading English brake manufacturer, allied with AP callipers and the lack of dive or deflection, provide outstanding braking power. Twin pot or four pot AP callipers can be fitted without modification. (90 KB jpg)

The wheel unit is removed by releasing the four calliper retaining bolts, two on each side, that go in the holes in the ends of the 'ears' seen in the photo. The 'upright', which goes over the top of the wheel to connect with the top wishbone and steering arms, is also retained by these bolts. Then the four bolts, two on each side, bolting the end of the axle to the fabricated lower fork ends are removed and the wheel unit can be taken out. See the (photo) of the Mk11 unit, fitted to the yellow Voyager, referred to above.(360 KB jpg)

Some units are available to other prototype builders, at their own risk, for £1700 UKP. This price includes the drawings and designs described above. If you are interested in using one of these units please contact (Royce Creasey.) Vehicle constructors interested in this unit as an O.E. item should regard these units as a Production Prototype batch. Subject to commercial agreement production units can be produced in quantities limited only by the sand-casting process.

FF's available?

There's no easy way of getting yourself a working FF like a Voyager. Hand making things like this costs around £25,000 UKP. I don't think any of the current owners would sell theirs for much less "I'd just have to buy another one"

If you really, really, want something like a Voyager at a reasonable production price get your favourite manufacturer to employ me to tell them how. I don't think they're going to make it on their own!

The easiest and cheapest solution right now is to modify the Yamaha Tmax scooter, you'll find photos of our feasibility project in the '02 diary. Anyone with cutting and welding skills can do a single seat Tmax conversion to FF and it's not difficult to make it reversible. It makes a great lightwieght FF. It's also possible to hand-make quite nice single-seaters like the Banana for rather more money but cost depends on individual specification. Get in touch if you've got a project in mind.

There are a few early prototypes around, mainly from Malcolm Newells workshop, all in need of restoration/re-engineering. Try a specific request on the FF discussion group.

Mark Crowson, is the Quasar specialist and has heard of Quasars for sale.

services available

• Consultation on all aspects of FF production

Contact

royce creasey
31 Gratitude Road
Greenbank
Bristol BS5 6EH
England
+44 (0)117 9511531

Last update 4th. January 2003, comments etc to ingrid oesten

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