Chapter
11, Mile Post #13 &14:“Something between the
wheels called the axle” (Click here to read Chapter 10.)
Start Date 11-15-08
The front axle is a long story and is not complete
even as I write this chapter. Because there is so much
information and effort needed to create the proper axle
I thought we should start now and add additional notes
and photos as we move forward.
The first big question you may have wondered about
is “Why did we use a “beam” axle and
not a more modern “A” frame design”.
Good question, but the answer is a bit difficult to
explain and it is not all technical and straight forward.
When we first began to design, a common “A”
frame design was considered because it would have been
modern and well accepted. Then we considered what kind
of a car was this to be and at what kind of Owner were
we looking for to purchase our TigerCat production.
We began to ask ourselves questions like “should
this car be a high performer”, “Is it to
be a style leader?”, “Should we use only
the latest technology and modern parts to construct?”
Answers to these questions came to us after long discussions
and real deep thought. Even though these questions are
part of the general marketing scheme they have an influence
on items like the axle. So, let me answer these few
questions with as simple a statements as possible.
1 What kind of Owner would buy a TigerCat?
a. Slightly older
b. Has an income level to purchase high ticket personal
transportation
c. Has had experience with sports cars and motorcycles
d. Wants to enjoy his “ride”
e. Likes touring and leisurely driving alone or with
his partner
f. Wants comfort and style and good performance
2 What performance level should we shoot for
and achieve?
a. Style and comfort were more important than big horse
power numbers.
b. Let the customer buy the amount of performance they
wanted by selecting an engine to fit their wallet and
speed requirements.
c. 0 ~ 60 in 6 seconds would be OK, with a top speed
of 110 mph being the goal using a 80 or 88 c.i.d. engine.
d. Good to great handling on “Blue map”
roads and highways (smaller back lanes and roads).
e. Good engine response with a 4 or 5 speed gear box.
Automatic transmission for the “Fun Only”
driver.
3 Style leader is always in the eye of the
beholder so here are our goals.
a. All American Hot-Rod look, with an background of
Cruiser Motorcycle.
b. Simple and clean construction which allows for easy
maintenance.
c. Will be the center of attraction when you pull into
the “Sonic Drive-In”
d. Easy to add accessories and chrome for the custom
personal look.
e. Comfort while driving or sitting at a red light.
f. Great for taking the Grand Kids on a joy ride when
they visit.
g. Just the ticket when going cross country on a tour
or visiting Daytona Beach for speed weeks.
4 As for “The latest technology”,
getting the steering and suspension right is the proof
that simple is always better.
a. The beam axle is also much more flexible in set-up
and adjustment.
b. Different settings can be achieved to allow for different
styles and types of driving. From highways to race tracks
the strong and reliable beam axle will always “perform”.
To achieve these ends we choose the simple and good
looking “beam” axle. As we go through the
construction keep in mind the goals we listed above
and I think you will see that we selected the right
parts and assembled them in a proper way to give the
owner a car that will be a classic for years to come.
