ride the torque curve™

Al'turn'ative Tuesday

2011-10-18T00:01:00.000-07:00

"My Goodness"

2011-09-21T15:35:00.000-07:00

"My Goodness" ...picked up on this band from Seattle recently. I like 'em a lot. Lot of music from 2 dudes.

launch this link for a full set.

Al'turn'ative Tuesday

2011-01-25T23:03:00.000-08:00

elf Honda

click to enlarge

Al'turn'ative Tuesday

2011-01-11T18:59:00.000-08:00

Awesome: ground-up v4 600cc motorcycle design that incorporates an alternative front-end from the beginning. This is progress.

CosoMoto
http://moto2-usa.blogspot.com/

via: The Kneeslider

Courage

2010-12-01T12:27:00.000-08:00

only 55 years ago today the "land of the free" was really fucked up when it came to civil rights

Thank you Rosa Parks

Ancient Warlocks

2010-11-11T12:10:00.000-08:00

alright. heaviness with coherent vocals. If you like Fu Manchu or Black Sabbath, you'll probably like these guys..

note: give the player a moment to buffer. If if does not start by clicking the "play" button, try double-clicking another song.

Al'turn'ative Tuesday

2010-11-09T10:35:00.000-08:00

Hub-center steering videos. Watch out for the smooth jazz

Souvenir's Young America

2010-10-29T11:09:00.000-07:00

give this band a try...all instrumental. Great drums, deep guitar chords. The clip below doesn't give their sound justice, so also try their MySpace site

Their songs take you on a journey so be patient

Al'turn'ative Tuesday

2010-10-19T09:37:00.000-07:00

Cool...

Renard Motorcycles
If you haven't ridden the Guzzi powerband on a curvy road, you should try it

Found on Pipeburn

click: Related

Indian Jewelry

2010-10-18T09:43:00.000-07:00

Al'turn'ative Tuesday

2010-09-14T22:13:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Leonard Peltier

2010-09-12T00:01:00.000-07:00

Rev Horton Heat - Jezebel

2010-09-06T22:10:00.000-07:00

Al'turn'ative Tuesday

2010-08-17T11:28:00.000-07:00

All motor...

Gregg DesJardins' new style

2010-08-10T22:57:00.000-07:00

Drop a ton of weight off of your new R1 and make it look much cooler....
This is a 2005 makeover spotted at Laguna Seca. Original. Cool. Great.

Al'turn'ative Tuesday

2010-07-13T08:39:00.000-07:00

The Moto2 race series has great potential due to its emphasis on chassis design (all teams use a spec Honda motor, but chassis design differentiates the competitors and will play a large role for the winner).

How long before an alternative to the telescopic fork finds its way onto a Moto2 team's bike?

RADD?, 6x Flex?, Wimmer? Bott?

"We want to develop a new chassis technology. We want to adapt a front fork system, that I built and patented for my Wimmer mountain bike, to motorcycle racing, and ultimately fit the MZ street bikes with the same system” - Martin Wimmer of MZ from RoadRacerX

This link describes Martin Wimmer's design patent for an adaptive front suspension system. In summary, this design allows for quick adjustments to suit track session feedback and, like many alternative designs, it can also reduce chassis weight. The system has 2 designs in one that work together by, ironically, countering one another:

1. lower portion acts as a traditional telescopic fork. (rake & trail is reduced during compression)
2. upper portion acts through a swingarm (attached to a brace above the wheel & pivots on the frame). During compression, the upward movement of the pivoting swingarm increases rake and trail)

His 1st prototype was used en route to a 3rd place finish in the 2002 German 250cc Championship. Wimmer scored the podium himself, 8 years after he retired from GP racing.

tip: Motorcyclist magazine

From the patent document:

According to the invention, the fork joint, due to its two-part form, makes a subdivision of the necessary rotating 10 and swivelling movements. Thus, the fork joint on one hand allows for the use of less expensive bearings, and, on the other hand, depending on the particular embodiment, provides for the possibility of an additional change of trail, since it achieves a change of the fork off-set (that is, of the 15 pivot point of the steering axis in relation to the geometrically relevant distance of the fork-leg axis in the fork joint) over the swivel area.

As specially used for motorcycles and bicycles, the construction of the telescopic fork of the invention consists of 20 slidable connections, which are slidable into each other and which achieve compression and rebound of the front-wheel assembly during braking or acceleration as well as when passing over bumps. Due to the special form of the telescopic fork in at least three-parts, a different suitable relative 25 movement of the individual connection parts can be achieved over the entire range of spring, always depending on the setting of the individual spring and damping rates of the connecting parts with respect to each other. Thus, in the compression and braking processes, an additional modifi- 30 cation of the front-steering angle can be achieved over the course of the spring range, such as for example in connection with a variably suspended steering point, which modification differs from the known steering-angle modification as achieved by the compression of a conventional telescopic 35 fork.

What is characteristic of the system of the invention is the combination of at least two spring elements which are adjustable independently from each other, the individual ranges of spring of the elements being added to one overall 40 range of spring for the front wheel to be guided. This special arrangement therefore provides for variable frame geometries with regard to steering angle and trail. At least one of the spring elements needs to be attached in between at least one variably hinged steering point, which is supported by 45 means of a swingable arm by the vehicle frame. Due to this modification of at least one range of spring, the steering axis is defined in relation to the frame by means of the respective arrangement of the at least one swingable arm, thus defining the corresponding steering angle of the frame. At least one 50 second spring element is attached either directly to the lower fork joint alone, or within a telescopic fork which has at least a three-part form, the spring element is attached so that it guides the front wheel throughout its range of spring in relation to at least one swingable arm to which the variably 55 hinged steering point is attached. When this second spring element compresses, the steering angle of the entire vehicle changes in relation to the level of the roadway as such.

Thus, the driving behaviour of the vehicle can be changed by adjusting the individual spring elements, which will vary 60 the values of the critical parameters of steering angle and trail of the front-wheel suspension system. In other words, the selective arrangement of the individual spring elements can provide for respectively different geometrical modifications of the steering angle and trail which sum up over the 65 overall range of spring of the front-wheel suspension system.

Junior Kimbrough

2010-07-12T17:05:00.000-07:00

As real & as good as it gets.

\

Al'turn'ative Tuesday

2010-07-06T12:21:00.000-07:00

The Vyrus (and earlier Bimota Tesi) front-end linkage looks very familiar to the Bimota SB6 rear linkage....

Motus

2010-07-06T12:12:00.000-07:00

Great early look at the bike.

Related

Al'turn'ative Tuesday

2010-06-29T22:17:00.000-07:00

Anti-dive...

Check out Pipeburn for Albert Bold's MV Augusta:

David Mucci's design:

Miles

2010-06-29T22:08:00.000-07:00

Al'turn'ative Tuesday

2010-06-22T16:16:00.000-07:00

Was the last bike to win a major moto race with an alternative front-end the John Britten V1000?
Congratulations Moto Czysz...

related

click to enlarge

Video below from YouTube and Asphalt & Rubber.
Related link about Silent riding

Primus

2010-06-22T13:53:00.000-07:00

Al'turn'ative Tuesday

2010-06-15T16:54:00.000-07:00

Gabriel Mintz

2010-05-25T17:50:00.000-07:00

try this one, too. quality.

Al'turn'ative Tuesday

2010-05-25T17:47:00.000-07:00

BMW 600 SS ?

The rumor mill is churning about a 600 Supersport coming from BMW. The level of competition in the 600-700 class needs a breakthrough design. How about shedding double-digit pounds from the chassis?

675cc triple with a RADD front-end...

photo from Asphalt & Rubber & Bako

Al'turn'ative Tuesday

2010-05-18T07:25:00.000-07:00

More action from a tesi design...

click the link of the post for his site & a video of the front wheel in motion
related link & video

In the blast zone, 30 years later

2010-05-18T07:12:00.000-07:00

left: taken May 16, 2010 from Johnston's Ridge. right: taken 2004 at the summit

link

Black Sabbath N.I.B. (Paris, 1970)

2010-05-14T08:28:00.000-07:00

Beats the hell out of me how metal-makeup-hair bands came a
decade later.

related (nearly 3 decades later)

Al'turn'ative Tuesday

2010-05-11T00:01:00.000-07:00

Motorcycle Daily ran this post recently that hints at Bimota using Moto Morini engines for future bikes.

I'm a big fan of Moto Morini (related), so the notion of these companies working together would be a welcomed change of pace for the industry. Bimota's chassis-design skill could bring to life a bike reminiscent of John Britten's masterpiece & Aprilia's FV2 concept....

click photos to enlarge

They could combine the powerful Morini 1200cc, 87-degree twin with a Hossack-derived front-end & a minimal trellis section frame, connected at the center of the engine. Note the center engine-mount below.

Imagine the Morini engine in the Aprilia concept (above left & right). A minimal frame would suffice due to the alternative front suspension and this frame wouldn't conceal the handsome engine....

(shape of body panels & colors of the Aprilia are easily changed)

Sunbeam

2010-05-05T09:36:00.001-07:00

Al'turn'ative Tuesday

2010-05-04T09:38:00.000-07:00

note the weight transfer difference while entering a corner...

click to enlarge

It would be interesting to know if the top photo precedes the next photo. Racers have commented frequently that the Test front-end allows them to brake later into a corner, carrying more speed into and through a corner.

Great shot. Counter-steer. Note the narrow size of the Vyrus. This is a liquid-cooled version too (rads on the lower sides)

Johnny Thunders

2010-05-03T23:14:00.001-07:00

Al'turn'ative Tuesday

2010-04-27T10:47:00.000-07:00

Earlier bike from James Parker's RADD efforts. Great work
bike = Yamaha TZ250
related links: here & here

click to enlarge

The Handsome Family

2010-04-24T10:39:00.000-07:00

great voice
new stuff here

Al'turn'ative Tuesday

2010-04-20T00:01:00.000-07:00

22 pounds (9.98 kg).

That is how much James Parker's latest RADD front-end has cutout of the stock Suzuki GSXR-1000. (Rationally Advance Design Development)

Imagine you were the chief Engineer of Suzuki performance motorcycles and were required to drop the weight of the flagship GSX-R by nearly 6% while maintaining emission standards, reliability, and MSRP by next year. There is no time or budget for composites or expensive titanium. The word "Rational" now becomes a key word; but only if you are willing to act on something right in front of you....

The power of performance motorcycle engines has grown exponentially with respect to other areas of motorcycle development. (e.g. a 1993 CBR900RR had 124 hp & weighed 408 lbs; a 2009 BMW 1000RR has 193 hp & weighs 403 lbs. This is a 55% increase in hp, while the weight has only been reduced 1.2%). These engines now require trick electronics to keep the power within the majority's skill-level. It can be argued that engineers are not only spending a disproportionate amount of time on an engine's outright power, but now they are spending time on electronics to control this power (it is almost like 'work for the sake of work'). This "culmination of power" over the last 16 years maybe the tipping point that prompts manufacturers to re-evaluate the entire motorcycle in order to improve performance. Engine development should still continue (as evidenced by the new Yamaha R1 cross-plane crankshaft, which, ironically has gained weight).

Cutting weight has been a goal for decades and Honda finally achieved an impressive figure in 1993, but that benchmark still stands today.* In addition, current engine performance is already exceeding the operator's ability, so engineers can't just throw another 55% increase in hp over the coming years in order to improve performance. If we continue to think with traditional design and use telescopic forks, performance improvements will continue at a slow pace, with small incremental improvements, and at higher costs (e.g. Ducati's recent patent for a carbon fiber frame).

The profound weight reduction achieved through the RADD front-end (6% weight loss) just might prompt an OEM to look into alternatives to the telescopic fork. Is Ducati's cf frame necessary? Do they have to abandon their signature steel trellis construction? Not if they use an alternative to the telescopic fork. They can cut weight affordably. I'll bet production costs of designs like Parker's latest RADD front-end can still come in lower than other methods of weight reduction if an OEM continues to use telescopic forks.

Parker's design utilizes the same wheelbase, rake, and trail as the stock bike to allow Suzuki and anyone else to evaluate his design against the status quo tele. design.

Be sure to pick up the April-May 2010 issue of "Ultimate Motorcycling" magazine. It has an article with excellent photography and a welcomed write-up of this design. The photos enclosed are from that issue.

* understandably, weight reduction can be more difficult than increasing hp, especially with retail reliability requirements; but that only emphasizes re-examining the status quo construction of performance motorcycles.

Related: here & here

Suzuki websites

click all photos to enlarge

note the reduction in frame mass, particularly high on the motorcycle

Go to Blazes

2010-04-17T10:22:00.000-07:00

Recommend trying to pick up both records from Go to Blazes. They were a great alternative country/rock band out of Philly. Glitterhouse Records might still have some of their albums in print. Tom Heyman, the former lead guitarist, has very good solo albums out too
(ex. Boarding House Rules).

Al'turn'ative Tuesday

2010-04-13T19:37:00.000-07:00

Ferruccio Codutti's work has been around for awhile, but it's worth another look...

a different approach to hub-steering..., a tesi-derivative

Mudhoney

2010-04-01T23:21:00.000-07:00

shit, this is a fun video. Olympia hat, motorhead patch, good filming, great music

Al'turn'ative Tuesday

2010-03-30T08:25:00.000-07:00

Cannondale mountain bikes have had a lot of success with their mono shock, but nothing has been seen on a motorcycle except the NAS concept , Lazareth's derivatives of the NAS, and a similar Guzzi project. Considering an airliner wheel set is essentially a huge mono shock, is there something inherent with the design when applied to a leaning motorcycle that will result in more trouble than its benefits? cost of production and serviceability? Increased stiction? weight of the steering stem and suspension?

Little Women

2010-03-29T18:20:00.000-07:00

"Eat My Soul" & "Milk" are good, tracks #5 & #7, respectively

Al'turn'ative Tuesday

2010-03-23T08:58:00.000-07:00

Interesting work. Another method of separating suspension and turning duties. This looks very rigid and contains direct steering, but does this design further remove front contact patch feedback from the bars? Increase in unsprung weight?

We are now seeing full carbon fibre swingarms and frames. Bimota has been combining aluminum attachment plates to steel swingarms for years. What if the the ends of this design were a light alloy mated to a middle section made from cf? This could come in lighter than the stout construction of teles. Then there is money....

Drumming

2010-03-18T18:25:00.000-07:00

The smiles and laughter towards the end are great...

Al'turn'ative Tuesday

2010-03-16T11:05:00.000-07:00

Jason Tiedeken's project: "The Lockhead Lounge"

Streamn' bootleg: Dead, New Year's Eve '72 SF

2010-03-09T20:35:00.000-08:00

Al'turn'ative Tuesday

2010-03-09T00:00:00.000-08:00

This is a great project. A unique bike that has got to be great fun to ride and own. It looks like it has a hossack derivative

Volbeat

2010-03-08T22:55:00.000-08:00

Al'turn'ative Tuesday

2010-03-02T16:17:00.000-08:00

I like this design a lot, but would like to see the rake shortened like the Bottpower project. Imagine a naked 1000RR being mated to a modified duolever. Put the headlights somewhere else to show off this beauty...

The Undertones

2010-03-01T17:36:00.000-08:00

some pop-punk from the 70's...

live clip

Al'turn'ative Tuesday

2010-02-23T08:13:00.000-08:00

I found this on a site that did not have much information. It mentioned linear bearings with an external shock. Nice build.

Break On Through...

2010-02-23T08:03:00.001-08:00

Grave as of 2/18/2010...

Good photo collection

Influences for "Break On Through" music

Al'turn'ative Tuesday

2010-02-09T00:00:00.000-08:00

This looks like a combination of hub-center steering with a James Parker RADD-derivative....

See more of Metiss at the great site called, "DeChaves Garage"

Dick Dale

2010-02-08T23:07:00.000-08:00

also worthwhile

Big Twin sportbike

2010-01-28T10:37:00.000-08:00

This bike was spotted on the Rocket Garage blog in Italia, who spotted it at one of Europe's bike shows.

Blind-fold any sportbike snob until they sit on this bike. Then, have them ride this thing and I bet their mind would open. I have nothing against the light-weight, high-rev, sport engines.....just highlighting the torque of stroked, air-cooled big twins. When using these lumps, the skilled builder must consider weight in everything. They also have a long drivetrain to contend with (except for Gregg's clever use of the ultra-compact Yamaha engine). The bike below looks like they used a stacked transmission arrangement.

The exhausts look cool, but right-handed curves would restrict lean angle. The canister in the front should be tucked in tighter and further underneath

related links: BTR Moto & Gregg's & Ecosse

Queen Bee & the Blue Hornet Band

2010-01-27T08:37:00.000-08:00

Queen Bee and the Blue Hornet Band was an incredible local band in State College, PA (next to Penn State University). All aspects of the band were a thrill to hear and watch.

Rest in Peace Tonya Browne

more info.

more live footage:

Tonya's beautiful wail & Mark's slide action

Tonya's booming voice

Al'turn'ative Tuesday

2010-01-26T00:00:00.000-08:00

Magpul Ronin Buell 1125R (2010)

Jason Rodman's Yamaha R1 (2008)

Galloping Girder

Galloping Gertie

Fu Manchu - King of the Road

2010-01-21T23:02:00.000-08:00

long-live custom Vans

Al'turn'ative Tuesday

2010-01-19T16:39:00.000-08:00

AND bikes by Julian Farnham..

Notice how little frame construction (and weight) is required, particularly where a 'traditional' steering neck is located (the highest point).

Hudson Bell

2010-01-13T23:57:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite bands from the 1st decade: Hudson Bell.

Click the play button within this link

Al'turn'ative Tuesday

2010-01-12T00:01:00.000-08:00

Good summary by Tony Foale

viva Los Straitjackets

2010-01-11T21:03:00.000-08:00

check them out

Al'turn'ative Tuesday

2010-01-05T22:17:00.000-08:00

The Ecosse Spirit

Motus

2010-01-05T22:00:00.000-08:00

The Motus V4 Sport Tourer:

Trellis steel frame, longitudinal engine layout with cylinders in a "v" configuration. It also employs 2-valves per cylinder and pushrods.... this is the making of a very cool hot-rod with hard bags. Chain drive is not only a cool engineering decision but it offers many light-weight wheel choices (something I miss about my Guzzi)

Al'turn'ative Tuesday

2009-12-29T09:24:00.000-08:00

Will the 6X Flex front-end be used in Moto2 this coming year? It has been adapted to an Augusta and a Yamaha R1 during development.

patent document

The new class (which requires every bike to use the same Honda motor) can be very interesting for those who like chassis design. This could be an opportunity to see alternative front suspension systems....

The following text & images are from Road Racing World's good article on the Moto Czysz C1 racebike. (September 2006)

"The fork tube is firmly attached to the lower oval sections of the fork like a traditional inverted fork. Telescopic forks slide up and down on oiled bushings that, by necessity, have a bit of play in them. This play introduces a bit of slop into the fork action. Also, when braking, the forks can bind on those bushings. Really good forks, of course, have less slop and less tendency to bind. The Czysz sports diamond-like-coated titanium fork tubes with flat sections on them. The flat sections match linear roller bearings (imagine a ladder where the ladder rungs are roller bearings) in the upper part of the fork. These bearings positively orient the fork making it so cannot bind no matter what forces are applied to it. The damping and springing action of the fork is contained by a single Ohlins unit mounted to a bridge between the sliders. The arrangement eliminates variations between the tune on each fork leg and also allows for the complete replacement of the valve stack and spring in a few minutes through a simple external swap of damper units. Lastly, this damper is already gas-charged preventing cavitation of the damping oil. No leaking fork seals, either.

Instead of flex in the frame the C1 has suspension components (forks and swingarm) that are designed to be rigid in the suspension travel directions (up-and-down and back-and-forth), but flex laterally to absorb bumps from the side. This is done in the rear with a swingarm that is extensively braced top to bottom but with a little give side-to-side. The flex in the forks is provided in the lowest portion of the fork leg. The large section front-to-back resists deflection during braking but the thin section side-to-side allows the fork to soak up bumps at full lean. At least that is the theory. The big oval in front of the brake mount is for the axle insert."

The C1 uses a very rigid Carbon Fiber frame, so the idea is to keep things solid in the middle and control any flexing at the ends, closest to the wheels & contact patches. The axle insert mentioned above is also said to allow quick adjustment to trail while keeping rake constant.

Greg Lake's "I Believe in Fr. Christmas"

2009-12-25T21:11:00.000-08:00

Peace to All. The Christmas we get we deserve.

"...and let your road be clear."

HD Sport Tourer w/Helicon engine

2009-12-10T10:39:00.001-08:00

The possibilities that HD has to diversify with the Helicon engine....

Diversifying does not mean they have to reduce their excellent vintage market (e.g. Road King, Glide series, Nightster). It also does not mean the crusty "faithful" should worry that HD is losing focus.

The drastic cost-cutting measures going on now at HD will save the company, but let's hope their long-term catalogue does not only contain heavy cruisers.

Rest in peace Barney Li

vintage Neil

2009-12-03T10:33:00.000-08:00

Turn up the volume. He belts it out. Nice film work, too.

from the excellent blog, "LE CONTAINER"

V12

2009-10-28T20:20:00.000-07:00

Andreas V12

great sound...

Smooth

2009-10-28T16:29:00.000-07:00

click the Play/Pause button to see the pairs in action at various spots of the stroke

Road

2009-10-25T16:38:00.000-07:00

Chapman & Clapton

2009-10-21T18:02:00.000-07:00

Quality.

I wish I was at this performance sipping a Woodford Reserve...

Glass Tops

2009-10-16T16:51:00.000-07:00

Car shows are a good pause from the 24/7 motorcycle spell...

This is one of my new favorite old cars. Glass Top Crown Vic with glass top speedo.

new stuff from Vyrus

2009-10-14T09:23:00.000-07:00

Vyrus

Aprilia and Norton-style Cafe

2009-09-15T10:45:00.000-07:00

I came across the very special cafe racer from the Italian blog, Rocket Garage

It is not finished yet, but I look forward to seeing the finished bike making the rounds of the blogs and magazines very soon. The Aprilia engines are great since they can be loads of fun for the street or track. This is powered by a fuel injected 2004 Aprilia 1000cc RSV Factory V-Twin with 143bhp

Note the location of the radiator. It looks great and the finishing touches could add to the aesthetic (e.g. fan guards could add style). Hopefully the rad will operate as normal.

The left-side pipe looks like it would scrape, but I'm sure the builder took that into consideration.

Details:

Custom heavily modified t45 Aircraft steel tube garden gate style norton feather bed wideline frame

Custom Manx tank Custom seat 

Custom rear sub section

Ducati front end

Ducati 999 wheels

Honda hybrid Unit pro link mono shock rear

Dry sump oil tank

Under seat radiator

Dry weight 172kg (379 lbs.)

Wheel base 1480mm (58 inches)

Steering 24.5

DEADLY

2009-09-06T14:23:00.000-07:00

Have you seen a movie lately? Telecommunication & Electronics giants have been sponsoring commercials that instruct the audience to silence their cell phones prior to the movie. There are creative commercials to convey this message (see below). Ericcson, Sprint, Nokia, Cingular, Best Buy, etc. are among several companies that have taken this step.

Which company will take the bold but necessary step with tv-based commercials that target driving & cell phone usage? (hands-free included)

If we expect silence to watch a film, we should also expect other drivers to not kill us with their phone conversation.

The number of deaths caused by distracted cell phone drivers has been in the thousands of lives per year since 2003. Phone conversations destroyed these lives.

catch the other video below this one...

related cellular company-sponsored: video clip

------

Suggested song by Johnny Thunders & the Heartbreakers: "Get Off the Phone"...

Related live clip

Wakan construction

2009-09-04T17:35:00.000-07:00

No other manufacturer exemplifies my favorite aspects of motorcycling better than Wakan Motorcycles. Simple, stylish, sporting motorcycles that have the twin rumble and a massive torque curve. The torque curve is actually more of a line that delivers a smooth power delivery.

Poetry in motion: take the flat torque line and use it in a chassis for the curvy roads. Ride the torque curve....and listen to the music.

Al'turn'ative Tuesday

2009-07-06T20:33:00.000-07:00

High on Fire

2009-07-06T20:17:00.000-07:00

I don't know much about "High on Fire" (yet)

cool bass work here at the 2 min slot

Al'turn'ative Tuesday

2009-06-30T23:26:00.000-07:00

This week's alternative front-end comes from Aprilia and uses yet another Hossack-derivative. This bike is intense. Check out the mass centralization and details of this hotrod

The Aprilia Mille is an impressive machine, so I can't imagine what this bike would be like using a 90-degree supertwin. It has so many cool bits (finally a repli-racer great for riding and admiring in the garage) ..forget the RSV4, bring this to market. It could help bring alternative front suspensions to mass markets in addition to BMW.

John Britten lives on....

Morphine

2009-06-30T00:16:00.001-07:00

When you are in the mood for Morphine, there's no music quite like it...

If you are new to this band, check out the incredible example of Mark Sandman's innovative sound (2-string bass with a slide) here

related band

Al'turn'ative Tuesday

2009-06-23T00:01:00.000-07:00

This week's entry comes from David Mucci.

David has a couple creative concepts in his design: integrated top clamp & headlight bracket (which would make room for wicked intakes for the airbox) and the anti-dive bracing on the lower sides of the forks....

Simply 'Dashing'....

2009-06-22T22:56:00.000-07:00

.
Motorcycle dashes/gauges don't make or break a design, but a cleanly designed dash is part of the complete package. The attention to detail separates the classics from the rest. Tiny, digital gauges help clean up the sloppy factory look, but gauges, just like lights, can be an opportunity to display creativity and integrate the sum of the parts.

This is one of the best motorcycle dash/gauges I've seen. A toast of Blanton's to the Yamaha designer for this simple & instantly timeless design. This is from the supercool bench-seat, v-twin Sakura concept. (check out the key).

The thin, side-profile is a crucial element to the overall design. The dash appears to be missing the odometer and tripmeter, but instead of the descriptions for km/hr and the rpm, they could use a very small and arc'd digital display, one on top of the central console and the other on the bottom (don't have to be able to see them while riding, unless that is some weird DOT stipulation)

One picture within the above link gives the impression that the back of this dash doubles as the horn.

Hopefully the aftermarket will offer something like this....

click for larger image

The Confederate Hellcat's & Wraith's dash is a close second (below). Converse to the above dash, the stout depth to this unit is key to its form:

Simple, but powerful, just like a good air-cooled twin-cylinder motorbike

Joe Strummer

2009-06-22T22:31:00.000-07:00

man, I miss Joe Strummer...

Al'turn'ative Tuesday

2009-06-09T00:09:00.000-07:00

In the spirit of the historic TTxGP electric race this weekend (where the teams are back-to-the-future in a hurry with 'digital' superbikes), this week's alternative front-end is an idea akin to Jules Verne-type of travel....

Maglev Motorcycle Suspension (MMS):

Electromagnetic Suspension technology is applied to the front-end of an electric motorcycle. The bikes are not intended to run on stationary tracks like maglev trains use (that would not be fun), however, the motorcycle front "forks" act as the track. These "rails" contain similar electro-magnetized coils (much smaller and lighter) that work in conjunction with properties in the wheel that repel each other. The motorcycle's front-end ultimately levitates around the front wheel on a cushion of air (no change in trail. no dive. zero unsprung weight when levitated).

Vertical suspension while leaned over is also theoretically programmable.

Patent-pending...

photo from "How Stuff Works"

Best of luck to all the Electric teams & petrol teams this weekend on the Isle.

BMW...The Ultimate Riding Machine Company?

2009-06-08T23:09:00.000-07:00

What other motorcycle manufacturer offers the same level of diversity in engine configurations, suspension, and model range that BMW offers?

The boxer, various in-line 4's, parallel twins, & single cylinder motors are also found among Telelever, Duolever, Paralever, and telescopic front suspension systems. These are then constructed into models that range from road race-ready liter sportbikes to enduro racing. Impressive engineering prowess.

A nostalgic model added to the line-up using the awesome boxer-twin would complete the range. Accessorize the hell out of it with a sidecar rig, bags, trailer, etc.

related

Social Distortion

2009-06-08T10:37:00.000-07:00

This song by Mike Ness & Social Distortion doesn't get old and gets better as the volume goes up...

Social Distortion reminds me of Cole Foster and his inspiring work. Nothing quite like the power of music to pull together memories, motivation, emotions, ideas, etc.

Click here for an interview from the Jalopy Journal.

Cole Foster custom

Al'turn'ative Tuesday

2009-06-02T21:11:00.001-07:00

This week's alternative design is from the informative and excellent site called, Bott Power.

I like this construction very much due to the trellis work and welding. This design also offers a connection point located right above the front wheel. Assume there is some other chromoly mix or composite material developed that is as rigid (vertically and torsionally) as steel tubes but offers more lateral flex, while being as light (or lighter) as steel..... This material could be attached at the top of the wheel and extend down to the axles, replacing the trellis steel tubes at the same location (the other steel tubes used to attached the suspension components would remain). When the bike is leaned over at race pace, the wheel would have "vertical' suspension due to this flexing capability while also keeping everything else rigidly in place.

Mac Moto

2009-05-28T17:26:00.000-07:00

super-charge this beauty with a rotrex

Al'turn'ative Tuesday

2009-05-26T19:39:00.000-07:00

_
This Tuesday's entry comes from the cool site called, DeChaves Garage. Behold the "Chiqane":

An inverted aluminum cradle frame (similar to the Tesi and Vyrus) is used in conjunction with the familiar hub-steered front swingarm. The linkage is unique and more compact.

An analysis of projects like this along side the Tesi & Tryphonos would be nice to read (besides the the latest 600cc "comparo").

Modern Retros

2009-05-22T10:42:00.000-07:00

click on photo for a close look

Oberdan Bezzi continues to impress. This time he takes on the challenging task of combining old with new...He captures the Moto Morini classic looks from the early 70's and combines them with modern components and the size of today's chassis and engine.
This is a beauty in looks and function that would stomp the Triumph Thruxton. This could be my next motorcycle if it is produced and brought to the States....Bring back more bench seat bikes so you and your certain sweetie can ride in sporting comfort around town and country.

1970's early 3 1/2 (350 cc)

Links...

Moto Sketches

Moto Morini tour

Moto Morini

Ryan Bingham

2009-05-22T07:05:00.000-07:00

Just heard of Ryan Bingham a few months ago...quality music!

Click here for "Southside of Heaven" video...

"Money can't buy my soul, 'cause it comes from a hard-earned place..."

Related: Swingin' Doors

Norton Rotary sound

2009-05-21T12:21:00.000-07:00

SOUND BITE

Al'turn'ative Tuesday

2009-05-19T00:01:00.000-07:00

Tesi: Pierluigi Marconi's thesis

The original Tesi design (below right) is what got me hooked on alternative front suspension. The Tesi 2D has the rounded fender & aluminum swingarm which accentuate the fork-less design more so than the 3D (which is the current model that has an edgy fender & steel trellis swingarm). The new design, however, is said to have simplified linkages and better positioned shock for the rider's knee and lowered weight.

I'm curious to know why the steel trellis is being used instead of the aluminum ...

Does the current, steel front swingarm offer more flex while leaned over in corners and weigh less than the aluminum [?]. Or, was this simply to differentiate it from the Vyrus?

Bimota website

Bimota history video

BRMC drives a 4-4-2

2009-05-17T19:49:00.000-07:00

Al'turn'ative Tuesday

2009-05-12T23:59:00.000-07:00

Very clever alternative front-end applied to a Guzzi that reminds me of the Honda NAS. Click on the lower right photo to see the use of a telescopic portion to this front-end in conjunction with the much larger, telescoping unit centered in the steering neck.

The Upstarts

2009-05-12T10:38:00.000-07:00

found on the cool blog called, "The So-So's"

In addition to The Upstarts music, there is some talent in the production of this video..

The Upstarts "GOT WHAT IT TAKES" from Garvin Ha on Vimeo.

John Britten

2009-05-08T12:16:00.000-07:00

INTENSE .

These images are from the documentary, "One Man's Dream". Click on the link to view this incredibly inspirational story.

"The building of the bike is...possibly the most interesting part of it. But, I suppose, unless you're prepared to go through with putting it against ...the racing world, well, then, you've really proved nothing."

- John Britten

Andrew Stroud riding a wheelie on the Britten alongside a works Ducati

Proven.

other video.

Al'turn'ative Tuesday

2009-05-05T22:15:00.001-07:00

Very attractive application of Norman Hossack's original design. I would like to see this setup with less rake on a smaller bike....

Hillclimb Racing

2009-05-04T09:34:00.000-07:00

. Where else can you see a pushrod Harley-Davidson racing competitively against modern, in-line 4,liter engines? Nowhere but on the hill. A tuned, pushrod v-twin motor can conquer a hill just as fast (and arguably easier) than a tuned in-line 4 liter engine. The diversity in machinery is just one of many attributes that can attract a lot of fans to this sport. Hillclimbing is an extreme sport that deserves recognition on the scale of the X-Games. Consider these 2 basic features that are sure to entertain & generate loads of respect for the rider's skill and courage:

up to 240 hp on tap
hill courses that are practically verticle

Curt Winter from BTR Moto is expanding his bike building skill & business to suit the sport of hillclimb racing. Curt's bike above (which utilizes a RevTech 100 c.i. motor), weighs just 380 lbs. and runs on a 50/50 cocktail of Nitromethane and alcohol, good for around 160 hp. The frame (Curt's design and construction) is steel tubing with dimensions of 1.250 .095 wall D.O.M. The powertrain assembly is his own design. A Barnett Scorpion lockup clutch is used and is driven from a chain right from the crank. He hand formed the aluminum cover to protect it from dirt and debris. From there, a shaft leaves the back side of the clutch and goes to the right side of the bike. On the end is the counter sprocket which is driving the rear wheel. Gear changes consist of changing that sprocket, sizes range frome 12 tooth to a 15 tooth. The 15 tooth sprocket will provide wheel speed capable of around 95 mph. (nearly 100 mph pointing right at a hillside...) Wheelbase ranges from around 72" all the way up to about 79". Th adjustable swingarm is made & assembled by Curt. Check out a hillclimb event this summer...

CBR 954-powered climber by Curt Winter of BTR Moto

click on all photos to get a closer look

Playing for Change

2009-04-26T18:24:00.000-07:00

click on the link of the post and check it out.