Alfa torsion bar demo

Somebody asked me how springy the ratchet extension torsion bars actually are.
So I went and bounced on the front end to demonstrate that they bounce like any other kind of spring. That's 200# right on the front, more than they will ever see with the driver seated in the normal position.
The bars installed currently are turned down to .360, and the push rods are in the softer setting. If I move them to the hole closer to the bar, they will be about 35# stiffer.

[@BrianVillegas67]

That's really nice work. It's nothing like an Alfa 158 suspension setup at all, though...

[@1908Rick]

Wasn't intended to be.

[@1908Rick]

It's a cyclekart. It doesn't have to be. Most cyclekarts have leaf springs, regardless of what their inspiration car had, and most gave NO rear suspension.

[@PiDsPagePrototypes]

Seems to hold the tyre in the same plane regardless of compression, so the geometry must be rather nice. Is the torsion bar up on the top control arm? Why not mount the mass of it lower in the chassis, say, like on the lower control arm like a '60 and '70's Chrysler ?

[@1908Rick]

I used a pushrod and mounted them in the most convenient place. Much like a F1 car or latest Ford GT. They don't weigh much. They're just 10" ratchet extensions.

[@PiDsPagePrototypes]

@@1908Rick I'm thinking of building a CycleKartEV, with a 50's or 60's GP car look, to use to commute to work via local bike paths,... Torsion Bar suspension appeals - I've had '60's Chrysler's and a Renault 16TS to learn how they work on, plus there's that whole 'Rising Rate' spring action, soft over the bumps, harder as compressed for the corners. Doing sway bars and getting a rack behind the front axle for the Akerman is going to be interesting to design.

[@1908Rick]

@@PiDsPagePrototypes You don't need the rack behind the axle for Ackerman. Mine are in front. The spindles and steering arms are made for that.

[@PiDsPagePrototypes]

@@1908Rick made for, yup, but doesnt work the same, close enough for GM 😁

[@c50ge]

Very little bump steer.

[@THESLlCK]

how on earth does this work???

[@1908Rick]

Torsion bars. Look for some of my other videos. I explain how it works.