Nov 9, 2009: Bumper Cars

xoxoxoBruce · 11-08-2009, 11:49 PM

Here's another one that arrived in an email, like the snake & lizard on friday.

Quote:

It's easy for a gear-head to be discouraged about the state of the world, especially in times of Carpocalypse and Cash for Clunkers. But occasionally, a bright light of awesome renews the spirit. Road-legal bumper cars do just that.

Yes, you read that right; these little beasties are street legal. Either Kawasaki or Honda motorcycle engines for power, and retired vintage bumper car bodies - transformed into the most awesome form of mini-car we've ever seen.

My first reaction was, Are you shittin' me? But like the lady said, It's twue, It's twue.

Quote:

There's seven of these little monsters floating around California , and they're all the creation of one man, Tom Wright, a gyro-gear loose builder on the outskirts of San Diego who figured the leftovers of the Long Beach Pike amusement park needed a more dignified end than the trash heap. They were originally powered by Harley engines but rattled like heck and Tom replace them with Honda or Kawasaki 750's... and a couple have been 'measured' [not run at] theoretically as capable of 160 MPH which is terrifyingly fast in machines with such a short wheelbase. Doesn't mean we would totally rock one should the opportunity present itself. In fact, we now have only one burning desire, to see these things running a go kart track with a clown in the driver's seat.

I'd be pretty damn cautious over 40mph, in those high center of gravity, short wheelbase, narrow track, toys.

But Me Want.
link

link

link

SPUCK · 11-09-2009, 04:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce

Here's another one that arrived in an email, like the on friday

I see you too must have a forwarding-mother-in-law..

toranokaze · 11-09-2009, 07:53 AM

I thought there would be a ringling of clowns driving those.

dlturman · 11-09-2009, 08:43 AM

Yea, a Shriner's wet dream.

newtimer · 11-09-2009, 09:53 AM

These beautiful 4-wheelers wouldn't be legal in most states, as they have no fenders. I'm surprised they're road-legal in the People's Republic of California, with its overly-strict laws about safety, pollution, welfare, and so on.

Pie · 11-09-2009, 10:15 AM

Wouldn't the bumper be a fender?

xoxoxoBruce · 11-09-2009, 10:43 AM

No, a bumper's a defender.

I think Ohio is another state the lets them go fenderless. PA says the width of the tread, 15 degree ahead to 75 degrees behind, the centerline of each wheel.

TheMercenary · 11-09-2009, 11:53 AM

Fenderless is street legal here too and in Fla. I think they look pretty cool. I bet they haul ass from a standing start.

Cloud · 11-09-2009, 12:21 PM

just as long as they actually don't -- ya know--BUMP anything with it.

dmg1969 · 11-09-2009, 12:22 PM

Umm...not sure I'd want to have a hot engine between my legs like in that woody model. Wow...how much is wrong with that sentence?

Cloud · 11-09-2009, 12:41 PM

or, how much right?

Shawnee123 · 11-09-2009, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce

No, a bumper's a defender.

I think Ohio is another state the lets them go fenderless. PA says the width of the tread, 15 degree ahead to 75 degrees behind, the centerline of each wheel.

Hmmm, I don't think so. Someone had a car with a missing fender and replaced it with a two by four to be legal. This is the state of front and back plates, too.

We're all about safety and morality here in Ohio.

lumberjim · 11-09-2009, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce

PA says the width of the tread, 15 degree ahead to 75 degrees behind, the centerline of each wheel.

say that in English

Medic63 · 11-09-2009, 11:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shawnee123

Hmmm, I don't think so. Someone had a car with a missing fender and replaced it with a two by four to be legal. This is the state of front and back plates, too.

We're all about safety and morality here in Ohio.

Gee, I was in Youngstown many years ago, and saw a car with no hood, front fenders or front doors being driven down the street. On the other hand, the driver was wearing a seat belt and was not reading porn, so I guess you are correct.

xoxoxoBruce · 11-09-2009, 11:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shawnee123

Hmmm, I don't think so. Someone had a car with a missing fender and replaced it with a two by four to be legal. This is the state of front and back plates, too.

We're all about safety and morality here in Ohio.

You could be right. I remember reading in Rodder's journal, about a guy living in western PA, registering his car in Ohio to beat the fender law, but it could have been the other way around. In MA, you don't need fenders, but you need a front plate

Quote:

Originally Posted by lumberjim

say that in English

The fender has to be at least as wide as tire's tread. It must extend no less than 15 degrees ahead of the vertical centerline of the tire, and end no less than 75 degrees behind the centerline, measured from the center of the wheel. UNLESS, the vehicle is registered as a Street Rod, and carrying PA Street Rod plates. In that case, no fenders, bumpers, or hood is required. But if there's no hood, the fan must be shrouded.

Up in the northwest, Oregon, Washington, or somewhere, they have a law that says fenders are optional, but if you don't have them, you aren't allowed to drive in the rain or on unpaved roads. Every state has their own interpretation of what's cool, and much of that depends how politically active their street rod organizations are.

11-09-2009, 07:53 AM	#3
toranokaze I'm still a jerk Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Little Mexico Posts: 1,817	I thought there would be a ringling of clowns driving those. __________________ "Without deviation from the norm progress is not possible." - Frank Zappa It is the ignorance of ignorance that lead to the death of knowledge The Virgin Mary does not weep for her son, for he is in paradise. She weeps for the world , for we are in suffering.

11-09-2009, 10:15 AM	#6
Pie Gone and done Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 4,808	Wouldn't the bumper be a fender? __________________ per·son \ˈpər-sən\ (noun) - an ephemeral collection of small, irrational decisions The fun thing about evolution (and science in general) is that it happens whether you believe in it or not.

11-09-2009, 10:43 AM	#7
xoxoxoBruce The future is unwritten Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 71,105	No, a bumper's a defender. I think Ohio is another state the lets them go fenderless. PA says the width of the tread, 15 degree ahead to 75 degrees behind, the centerline of each wheel. __________________ The descent of man ~ Nixon, Friedman, Reagan, Trump.

11-09-2009, 11:53 AM	#8
TheMercenary “Hypocrisy: prejudice with a halo” Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Savannah, Georgia Posts: 21,393	Fenderless is street legal here too and in Fla. I think they look pretty cool. I bet they haul ass from a standing start. __________________ Anyone but the this most fuked up President in History in 2012!

11-09-2009, 12:21 PM	#9
Cloud ... Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 8,360	just as long as they actually don't -- ya know--BUMP anything with it. __________________ "Guard your honor. Let your reputation fall where it will. And outlive the bastards!"

11-09-2009, 08:43 AM	#4
dlturman Recruit or Something Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 4	Yea, a Shriner's wet dream.

11-09-2009, 09:53 AM	#5
newtimer Operations Operative Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 479	These beautiful 4-wheelers wouldn't be legal in most states, as they have no fenders. I'm surprised they're road-legal in the People's Republic of California, with its overly-strict laws about safety, pollution, welfare, and so on.

11-09-2009, 12:22 PM	#10
dmg1969 I got nothing Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Central PA Posts: 486	Umm...not sure I'd want to have a hot engine between my legs like in that woody model. Wow...how much is wrong with that sentence? __________________ Void where prohibited. Your results may vary. Not intended for resale. Do not remove tag. Objects in mirror are closer than they appear.

11-09-2009, 12:41 PM	#11
Cloud ... Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 8,360	or, how much right? __________________ "Guard your honor. Let your reputation fall where it will. And outlive the bastards!"

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)