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Wish List

The decision quickly boiled down to the TriMagnum or the Vortex.

Initially I had created a "wish list", I did this list before starting and it was to help guide me into which plan(s) more suited my needs/desires. Not knowing exactly what was involved with specific plan, construction, vehicle limititations I feel that most needs have been fufilled with the Vortex. You should also know up front that I have most of my neck fused (4 vertibrea) so I do have some specific needs for seating and entry/exit, in addition I am 6' 1" and 220 lbs with a long torso. Most other people will not have these restrictions.

My rational for going to aftermarket seats was, due to my neck restrictions had I build the seating in the Vortex as designed that I could not look lower than the dashboard, so I have to sit in a more vertical position. The original design is very compact and comfortable but I have a range of motion problem which forced me to make some modifications to some of the dimensions to incorporate the seats. If you do not need them then you might consider the original design.

Below summarizes my initial thoughts of what I had imagined broken into sections:

Basic Design
--------------------
- 2 wheels front/1 rear for stability
- modular/expandable
- it should look good

Power Train & Brakes
--------------------
- 1984 Yahama FJ600 motorcycle frame/engine, 72hp, 600cc and 6 speed transmission, air cooled (it is what I already had...)
- cooling for engine/oil
- disc brakes front/rear
- foot pedals include clutch, brake & throttle (do not want hand controls for clutch)
- floor mounted shifter (switches/electronics to control gear display)
- electric reverse (engage/disengage plus speed control)
- parking brake

Creature Comforts
-----------------
- seats 2 persons
- leg room/head room for 6'1" occupant
- use of passenger doors rather than canopy
- use automotive bucket style seats for their adjustability (do not want 'build in')
- tilt steering wheel
- opening window(s) (nice to have)
- opening sunroof (nice to have)
- provide cockpit with ventilation/outside air flow
- minimal cockpit heater w/adjustable blower fan
- AM/FM radio and built in clock, with speakers in side/rear panels
- CD player (nice to have)
- in cockpit storage (glove compartment, storage of maps and paperwork, behind seat ok)
- cup holder for 1 cup
- 12v access for accessories (cigarette lighter style receptacle)

Lighting, Visibility & Mirrors
------------------------------
- 2 front quartz headlights (assembly commercially available)
- front headlights have commercial polycarbonate cover if built in (not needed if pop-up style)
- 2 front fog lights (nice to have, assembly commercially available)
- front turn/running/signal lights (assembly commercially available)
- rear turn/brake/running/signal lights (assembly commercially available)
- side turn/running lights (assembly commercially available)
- rear view mirror
- rear view window
- 2 side view mirrors
- paint color enhances vehicle visibility for other drivers (red attracts police/troopers...)

Security, Safety
----------------
- windshield uses safety glass not lexan
- windshield wiper(s)
- windshield defogging
- windshield washer with electric pump and fluid tank
- lockable passenger doors
- pneumatic assist opening passenger doors
- electric horn (car type not motorcycle)
- retractable seat belts/shoulder strap
- roll bar over head area
- roll bar over leg area
- side impact protection (nice to have)

Fuel
----
- 40/50 mpg target range
- 10+ gallon capacity
- fuel cell located in front of vehicle (passenger side for weight distribution)

Dash Gauges & Controls
----------------------
- dashboard cup holder
- dashboard mountable instruments/gauges/controls
- speedometer gauge
- tachometer gauge
- fuel level gauge (need matching sending unit for fuel cell)
- cylinder head temperature gauge
- oil pressure gauge
- engine choke control
- headlight high beam/normal switch
- fog lights on/off switch
- ventilation on/off/adjustment control
- heat on/off/adjustment control
- turn signals on steering wheel
- horn control on steering wheel
- cruise control on steering wheel
- windshield wiper on/off/speed control on steering wheel
- windshield washer on/off control on steering wheel
- keyed ignition lock in steering column (or dash)
- electronic display current transmission gear/neutral (custom electronics using bar lighting, neutral different color)
- rear electric hatch release control
- front electric hatch release control

Other
-----------
- modular wiring harness(s)
- entry/exit from vehicle relatively easily
- entire body (body panels/modular sections?) should be able to be removed from chassis (nice to have)
- easy access to put fuel into fuel cell
- access for changing engine oil/water/etc.
- access to remove rear wheel without major disassembly
- access to replenish brake fluid, windshield fluid, battery
- radiators needs overflow vented
- battery in front of vehicle (passenger side for weight distribution)
- battery needs to be vented
- fuel cell in front of vehicle (passenger side for weight distribution)
- fuel cell needs to be vented
- ability to change headlights/side marker bulbs easily

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