• Articles
  • Motorcycles for Sale
  • Motorcycle Parts
  • Motorcycle Manuals
  • Models
  • Collectibles
  • Contact

The Kneeslider

Doers Builders and Positive People

Tony Foale on Motorcycle Design

By Paul Crowe

Tony Foale's book on chassis designAs long as we’re talking about building real motorcycles, I should mention Tony Foale. Tony has written a very comprehensive book, “Motorcycle Handling & Chassis Design,” and more recently has offered “Suspension analysis” software. Details of both are on his website where they can also be ordered. Kevin Cameron, technical editor of Cycle World magazine wrote the foreward for Tony’s book.

Tony’s website is a wealth of information on the subject with numerous articles and also offers several software calculators for download. I warn you, if you find motorcycle design interesting, you’ll be on his site for a little while. The miscellaneous articles page by itself is an education. The photos, … same thing.

Tony offers seminars worldwide. They span two full days and the subjects covered should result in some kind of certificate for the attendees.

Tyre characteristics, suspension and offshoots
· Basic construction.
· Differences between radial and cross ply.
· Why radials have lower profiles
· Some reasons why we need tyres.
· Tyre is NOT a gas spring. Force/deflection curve is basically linear.
· Suspension action of pneumatic tyre.
· Weight support. – how?.
· Optimum conditions for maximum traction.
· Tyre hop and damping.
· Suspension settings and differences between optimum for comfort and performance
· Contact area – variation with load.
· Some geometric effects of tyre width.
· Sidebar on basic bike geometry – rake and trail, as a lead-in to:
· Pneumatic trail.
· Mechanisms of tyre friction.
· General shape of force vs. slip curve.
· Driving and braking slip.
· Steering slip – slip angle.
· Camber force.
· Concept of steering and camber stiffness.
· Combinations of steering and camber forces.
· Required steering angles at given cornering speeds.
· Friction ellipse.
· Drifting and throttle steering.
· How tyre characteristics provide limit feel.
· Variation of grip with vertical load.
· Under/over-steering from tyre view point.
· Under/over-steering from steering and stability view point.

And that is just the morning session on day one!

The information available from Tony should be required reading before any more “build offs” take place because it may keep the various shops from creating something mechanically embarrassing.

Posted on April 7, 2005 Filed Under: Motorcycle Builders, Motorcycle Design


-- Subscribe to The Kneeslider --

Be the first to know when something’s new!


Be sure to check out The Kneeslider’s motorcycle manuals and literature listings.

Your purchases through ebay links on The Kneeslider may earn a commission for this site.




« Custom sportbike frames
Motorcycle frame builders continued »

Subscribe to The Kneeslider

Be the first to know when something's new!

Search articles on The Kneeslider


Do You need motorcycle parts?

Everything from normal maintenance items to hard to find out of production parts, look here first.
Be very specific for best results! Use part numbers if you have them.


Be sure to check out The Kneeslider’s new motorcycle parts listings.



Your purchases through ebay links on The Kneeslider may earn a commission for this site.



From The Kneeslider Archives

EJ Potter during one of his signature smokey starts

E.J. Potter the Michigan Madman – R.I.P.

JJ2S X4 500cc 4 cylinder 2 stroke concept from Poland

JJ2S X4 500cc 2 Stroke Update

RSS What’s happening on HorsePowerSports

  • DeLorean Motor Company is Coming Back with an Electric
  • Ford Shares Open Source CAD Files for 3D Printing Truck Accessories
  • If You Need a New Car, Buy an Old One Instead

Motorcycle Engine Powered Cars

Copyright © 2025 · The Kneeslider · Website by Crowe Computer Services
US Army veteran owned and operated
This website proudly Made in the USA!
Made in the USA