aeromoding shaft drive motorcycles

[redyaris]

Originally Posted by PeterS

Hi Redyaris ,
A new bloke here ,could you tell me how you derived the above drag numbers ? I had always assumed a normal motorcycle with sit up and beg riding position had a cd of around 1.2 .Do you have a link that would help me ?

Aerodynamics of road vehicles edited by Hucho the chapter on motorcycles. If you look at any standard text book on fluid dynamics you will find that a flat plate has a Cd of 1.17 a parashoot is at 1.4, a large bird is at 0.4, most modern cars are between 0.3 and 0.4, etc.

[low&slow]

Hi , The latest update on the Vision: 1) I did a tune-up: changed plugs, cleaned air filter, checked valves, tried leaner mainjets but switched back to stock as it ran like crap.
2) I left the sidepanels off so that I would access the carbs and I trimmed up the rear of my full coverage front fender. This seemed to help the handling in windy conditions.
3) I removed my stock mirrors and replaced them with some mirrors I made with some round convex stick-on mirrors and some steel strapping.

I just filled up today and it was my second best tankfill mpg average ever: 63 mpg. I had been getting high 50 mpg tanks since starting the aeromods, up from low to mid 50 tanks without aero mods. Things are looking up.
al the best , L&S

[beatr911]

Redyaris, I had no idea the VT500 was geared so high! I had a Transalp which is part of the same engine family and it flat screamed at 70mph, stock gearing.

Sounds like you have a good candidate.

[redyaris]

Originally Posted by low&slow

Hi , The latest update on the Vision: 1) I did a tune-up: changed plugs, cleaned air filter, checked valves, tried leaner mainjets but switched back to stock as it ran like crap.
2) I left the sidepanels off so that I would access the carbs and I trimmed up the rear of my full coverage front fender. This seemed to help the handling in windy conditions.
3) I removed my stock mirrors and replaced them with some mirrors I made with some round convex stick-on mirrors and some steel strapping.

I just filled up today and it was my second best tankfill mpg average ever: 63 mpg. I had been getting high 50 mpg tanks since starting the aeromods, up from low to mid 50 tanks without aero mods. Things are looking up.
al the best , L&S

Looking good L&S getting into the next 10 mpg zone is always gratifying. for myself I am still in the planing stage for this winters build season. My wood supply for the wood stove in the garage was helped by a recent wind storm that blew some trees over that I snagged and managed to split with an electric log splitter lent to me by a friend. As for the the VT500 I have plans to go more radical on the aero in order to get into the 80 -90 mpg range.

[low&slow]

Hi Red Yaris, Thanks !!! MY latest tank was 61 MPG so it looks like I should be staying in the 60 MPG range. We are blessed with pretty mild weather most of the year in CA . I usually can ride most of the year. It looks like I'll need the testing time to help close the gap on what you have accomplished!

It looks like Craig Vetter may organize another Challenge ride either from Bartow CA to Las Vegas NV or else the reverse direction , possibly in November. I will make this ride if it happens. I have to stay on top of the fasteners for my aero mods as I find I'm frequently losing screws and bolts that loosen from vibration and wind force movement. Thanks keeping us posted on your work.
all the best , L&S

[redyaris]

L&S onward and upward good progress.
one way to reduce fasteners vibrating loose is to us Locktite or automotive type sylicon. The methods I use with silicon are put some on the threads or smear some around the head of the fastener after it has been tightened. I have yet to have one loosen off when using these methods/materials.
Where is Bartow CA? google maps can't find a town or city by that name in CA. LAs Vegas NV is 2173km [1360 miles] away from here. I'm playing with the Idea of renting a full sized van and hauling my GS500 down for the challenge. How long is the ride Bartow to Las vegas?

[Patrick]

Originally Posted by redyaris

L&S onward and upward good progress.
one way to reduce fasteners vibrating loose is to us Locktite or automotive type sylicon. The methods I use with silicon are put some on the threads or smear some around the head of the fastener after it has been tightened. I have yet to have one loosen off when using these methods/materials.
Where is Bartow CA? google maps can't find a town or city by that name in CA. LAs Vegas NV is 2173km [1360 miles] away from here. I'm playing with the Idea of renting a full sized van and hauling my GS500 down for the challenge. How long is the ride Bartow to Las vegas?

Barstow, CA. It's about halfway between Los Angeles and Las Vegas.

[Patrick]

Originally Posted by redyaris

The challenge is not being able to change the final drive.

What about installing a larger diameter rear tire?

[Frank Lee]

Don't know about his bike specifically but most of my bike rear tires are awfully tight to the swingarm... not much wiggle room unless the grinder comes out.

As far as fasteners, if you can use nyloc nuts for any of them, that would be the best cure.

[low&slow]

Hi, Latest tankfill was 63 mpg with lots of short rides. The summer is finally starting to warm up here so hopefully I can break my previous best of 66.8 mpg soon.

Thanks to Frank and Red Yaris for the suggestions on better fasteners and techniques .

Its Barstow CA to Las Vegas , sorry about the mistake .

I do have move for a larger tire and will probably install one after I wear the currrent one out.
all the best, L&S