Motorcycle aerodynamics, a slippery and windy, slope?

[PeterS]

Absolutely no idea !

[Frank Lee]

Someone could ask Fred at the next Vetter Challenge.

[TedV]

I bugged Fred at the Mid Ohio fuel economy run last year where I was on my 07 Dakar. Fred, if you read this, hope I wasn’t too much of a pain. After I was able to get them back to the track from us getting separated from the guys who knew how to get back to the track – my bike was the only one with a tank bag able to hold the directions back to the track. Oh, and my bike was the only one in the run carrying 4 to 5 days’ worth of camping gear and food. I point blank asked Fred with the rumors of the diesel bikes possibly being produced in India, will we be able to get them for civilian use? He replied he is more a consultant now so it is not his call to make if they will be available so can’t answer that. Maybe someone could ask him, who can we ask for that decision?

During the run we were behind a semi going around 45mph in a construction zone. The streamlined land speed bike was getting slapped side to side pretty bad. I had that in mind when I got hit by severe cross winds from a thunderstorm leaving the event. I thought I was going to low side trying to go straight down the interstate. Cars scattered away from me too.

I bugged Craig via email several years ago about the HDT diesel engine as it would make for a nice faired or Alligator style bike. He showed via Photoshop it would fit nicely. As the saying goes, “want in one hand (do something) in the other, see what fills up first” As much as I would love to get one, I wouldn’t hold my breath on the HDT engine being available. Most diesel bike folks are HIGHLY PISSED it is not available. Who knows the real reason why they are not available. I keep hearing the excuse, “everyone says they want one, but no one would buy one”. If it was priced right, like a KLR or slightly more I think it would sell. But then, I might hang in the wrong crowds.

In the meantime, short of making a motor yourself, we can only play with what we can buy. There are a few places selling the Chinese air cooled industrial diesel motors. Or go with a small water cooled gas engine with 6 speed trans and preferably fuel injection.

[TedV]

oh. by the way. I'm a long time lurker on here. Howdy y'all

[Frank Lee]

I did find a 163cc 3hp Chinese diesel, but no specs on fuel consumption.

[alvaro84]

I don't know what kind of motor is that, but I've read about a similar capacity one that someone turned into a motorcycle engine.
But that particular one wasn't designed to variable rpm (was sold for some gardening equipment), and gave a disappointing FE while it didn't move the bike well either.
So, I think, it's another thing to check.

[Frank Lee]

Yes, that 163 is on a tiller. Just because it's small and it has the diesel cycle doesn't mean it has superior efficiency... so I need to see figures and preferably a chart.

[beatr911]

I asked Fred Hayes about the availability of the diesel to the public at the Las Vegas to Barstow event. TedV is on the money when he says Fred is essentially out of the picture on the direction of the comany or product. Some investors (I don't know who) are presumably seeing enough potential that they put money on it. Hopefully this will eventually translate to good news for the rest of us as well.

This is a 6000 rpm diesel folks. Nobody has this kind of naturally aspirated diesel power density. Paired with a 35mpg advantage over a similar gasoline engine motorcycle and it really has some serious potential.

In seeing and hearing the bikes start, warm up and run down the freeway I'm guessing that there may be some issues with emissions in the current state of development. They were a little smokey until warm. Nothing serious, I'm sure the application of some genius will be able to solve the issue though.

(Smacks forehead with hand) Had I thought to ask what company is investing in this I would have seriously considered dumping all my investment play money into thier stock.


Back to the aerodynamic discussion please. This is really good discussion.

[redpoint5]

Originally Posted by Frank Lee

Just because it's small and it has the diesel cycle doesn't mean it has superior efficiency... so I need to see figures and preferably a chart.

If efficiency is what you seek, then look no further than the Wartsila-Sulzer RTA96-C turbocharged two-stroke engine. With over 50% efficiency, it is clearly the mill you are looking for.

Link

[Frank Lee]

Yeah, I know. I wonder if that sort of efficiency is scaleable and if not, why not?