Aerotrunk project

[jkv357]

Originally Posted by Xist

I know even less about this topic than most, but I have seen the spandex "socks" used to enclose the sides of streamliners. Why not make a spandex vest that zips to the trunk, you put your arms through the holes, zip up the front, and just like that, no gap!

That sounds all kinds of awkward!

That might help the aero, but would be too dangerous in the event of a get-off IMO.

You want to get away from the cycle when you go down, and that would keep you connected.

[euromodder]

Originally Posted by low&slow

I do need to work on filling the gap between the trunk and my back to eliminate the resulting turbulence. I'm thinking some foam attached to the front cover. I'll post some pix after I make it.

If there's a gap between you and the trunk, better fill it up.
If it's not filled all the time, rounding off the front (along the edges) will also help a bit.

Rounding off all straight edges on the trunk would help - except at the rear, that's where you'd want a sharp separation.

Take a look at the vetter streamlined zero motorcycle if you haven't already
They're using some sort of foam on the front of the tail and behind the rider's legs.

[sendler]

Originally Posted by low&slow

JVK and Xist are correct, thanks for jumping in!

I do need to work on filling the gap between the trunk and my back to eliminate the resulting turbulence. I'm thinking some foam attached to the front cover. I'll post some pix after I make it.

That is very similar to the tail I am building. I'm planning on cutting some pool noodles in half to make a half round around the leading edge.

[beatr911]

It seems to me that fitment to the rider is most important here. Make it close enough that by straightening the arms a little, relaxing backward to close the gap, it also acts as a backrest. When corner carving move forward an inch to allow movement

Vic is addressing the single largest point of drag on the bike with this. Alans first aero trunk on the Ninjette added quite a bit of aero performance, but this with it's long taper might be better.

Hope to see you next week at the challenge. Anyone going from San Diego? I need to hich a ride.

[renault_megane_dci]

My personnal attempt gained me a fair few MPH in top speed and a calculated 4% improvement.
Pics :
http://ecomodder.com/forum/307125-post12.html

Calculation :
http://ecomodder.com/forum/307644-post17.html

[low&slow]

RMdci, Thank you for sharing your information on your tailbox. I just started doing some riding with the trunk attached and will have some FE numbers pretty soon. I tried filling the gap with some styrofoam glued to the front cover of the aerotrunk but it wasn't sturdy enough. I have some other ideas and will try those to get a better soluton. It was very windy on a round trip from Livermore CA to Groveland CA so it was a good first extended run ( ~ 240 miles).

[renault_megane_dci]

Just to make things clear, you have two EX :
L&S' Greenaero Ninja 250 - '99 Kawasaki Ninja EX250F Ninja 250R
90 day: 105.93 mpg (US)

SilverAero Ninja 250 - '04 Kawasaki EX250 Ninja
90 day: 76.82 mpg (US)

Your current project is on Greenaero, right ?
And is your 240 miles trip already in the 90 days fuel consumption ?

[low&slow]

RMdci, No, the aerotrunk is on the 2004 EX250 ( Silveraero) that is not radically streamlined like my 1999 EX250 ( Greenaero ). The Greenaero Ninja's bodywork and the long tail in particular is not easy to remove so there is no place to put the aerotrunk. Besides the tail of the streamliner has even more cargo capacity than the aerotrunk.

The Silveraero bike is pretty conventional with only a fully faired front fender and taller gearing. The aerotrunk is easily removed if I want to carry a passenger or go on a sport ride.

The Greenaero streamliner is consistently breaking 100 mpg most tankfills. I'm hoping to be able to break the 100 mpg barrier with the Silveraero bike and raise its average FE into the 80-90 mpg range.

[renault_megane_dci]

That's a tall expectation for only the back end evolution, is it not ?

[low&slow]

The aerotrunk would be in addition to the taller gearing ( 15/41 ) , taller windscreen and fully faried front fender. I'm pretty close on a good run without the trunk so I think that with it I should do even better. The proof will be in the testing.