Comments on: Motorcycle design – anything is possible

By: Kevin

Kevin — Tue, 21 Mar 2006 05:26:13 +0000

Im currently attending ITT for an assosiates in computer aided design. Im in my last quarter and for my final project im designing a sportbike using Inventer 10. I’ve been riding for about six years but that still doesn’t prepare me for this task, Wondering if any pioneers had a little advise for a first time designer.

Thanks, Kevin

By: hoyt

hoyt — Wed, 16 Nov 2005 17:47:39 +0000

within this link is another link that has a picture of the Dollar and its longitudinal V4 engine with narrow 14 degree V (1932)

http://www.cybermotorcycle.com/euro/brands/dollar.htm

By: hoyt

hoyt — Wed, 16 Nov 2005 16:48:57 +0000

The Kneeslider AND Oli each have valid points. This post has the making for an interesting debate.

Everytime I see someone else doing something that I think is new or a new thought comes to mind, I find that concept later in a motorcycling encyclopedia. But, that doesn’t mean we haven’t done everything that there is to do between two wheels. For example, what will the round engine do to motorcycling ?! more torque & more hp while reducing weight, increasing longevity & achieving greater compactness, etc.

The Moto Czysz is a great endeavor (cheers! and good luck). Their bike has a lot of new technology, but their engine layout has some similar history. The “French Dollar V4″ had a 4 cylinder engine mounted longitudinally separated by 14 degrees. (this is not intended to take anything away from the Moto C. team or to suggest that they copied or were even inspired by the French Dollar bike. People can be on separate parts of the planet and still come up with similar ideas.) It is just a note to say that I have seen that engine layout previously, albeit, without slipper clutch, counter rev cranks, etc.

I have only seen the French Dollar motorcyle in the massive Guggenheim book, “The Art of the Motorcycle”. (great gift – hint hint). This bike is stunning with its symmetrical design. Sadly, it never saw mass production. In my opinion, it is better-looking than the Brough Superior. Jay Leno, what do you think?

Anyway, with the power of personal computing/fabricating and availability of materials, I hope history will repeat itself with another industrial revolution….this time without hitler & another World War interrupting it.

By: Oli

Oli — Wed, 16 Nov 2005 09:48:33 +0000

I know what you are trying to say – but it isn’t true!

Visit any decent motorcycle museum and you will find every idea that pops up now (bar the electronic stuff) has been on a bike before – usually some time in the 1920’s!

I guess the most amazing thing in recent years is that the cost of the manufacturing process has made these ‘new’ ideas available to more people – plus, of course, 70 years of development to find out why it didn’t work first time around!!