Bit by bit, joining the aero club

[JeffM]

Originally Posted by renault_megane_dci

I would blame the front wheel fairing first for the side wing sensivity.

Short rides, I don't know the impact of streamlining since it adds weight.
Looking forward to seeing your personnal results.
Where is your fuel log by the way ?

I agree that the wheel fairing is most likely the root of the instability.

As I stated, the bike is currently used mostly for commuting. However, I see some long trips in my future and hey, it is fun to experiment and to try different things. In my mind, why have a stock bike and go with the flow.

I suppose I will add a log when I get to it.

Jeff

[UltArc]

This bike looks awesome, to me. Often (some) modifications don't make something look better, but this looks very slick. The craftsmanship with the original bike looks great.

Been following, but seeing this bike (again) forced me to state it!

[Grant-53]

Stability improves when there is more fin area behind the steering axis than in front of it.

[janvos39]

Side wind guts interference gets much less when the front wheel is covered by a fixed nose.

[JeffM]

Thanks for the replies. I agree, adding a tail will improve stability. Alan had a Vetter tail on the bike and he stated he had no problems with stability.

From the Vetter site: 2011 Vetter Streamliner-Chap 50

Alan stated: "Passing semi-trucks usually caused a minor wiggle. I think that I have been lucky to have a stable motorcycle to start with. Very strong continuous cross wind did push me around but not something that I could not handle. Just lean into the wind and continue at speed."

I will not try to reinvent the wheel and will be going for something similar to Alan's bike, shown here, with the windscreen and wheel fairing:

[jkv357]

Have you done any before/after aero mods mpg comparisons?

I would like to see some numbers with a stock Ninja and a aero-modded one in the same conditions.

What amount of mpg improvement are we talking with what you've got there?


Jay

[JeffM]

Jay, in the photo above, Alan was getting, I believe, around 96mpg.

I have not been riding too much with the new nose on my bike (work + family vacation) so I haven't gauged fuel consumption yet.

Jeff.

[JeffM]

I got to work on the tail section. After a little CAD (Cardboard Assisted Design) work I have created the main and tail bulkheads. I am using 1x2 stringers to tie the bulkheads together.

This is a small start and only took an afternoon to accomplish. I decided on a simple wood structure, well, because it is simple and I have the hand tools to accomplish the work.

I will cut lightning holes in the bulkheads and will be using steel supports to attach the structure to my bike. I am attempting to keep the stock seat in place.

[low&slow]

Jeff, Looking good!! Once You start running with the tail you will your wind sensitivity much improved.

[UltArc]

Originally Posted by JeffM

Thanks for the replies. I agree, adding a tail will improve stability. Alan had a Vetter tail on the bike and he stated he had no problems with stability.

From the Vetter site: 2011 Vetter Streamliner-Chap 50

Alan stated: "Passing semi-trucks usually caused a minor wiggle. I think that I have been lucky to have a stable motorcycle to start with. Very strong continuous cross wind did push me around but not something that I could not handle. Just lean into the wind and continue at speed."

I will not try to reinvent the wheel and will be going for something similar to Alan's bike, shown here, with the windscreen and wheel fairing:

Looks like 116 mpg...