Vetter streamliner body kit

[aerohead]

Originally Posted by Grant-53

There is a useful discussion on fairing canopies in "The Leading Edge" by Goro Tamai. The trailing taper length should be twice the height.

Goro Tamai might not be the last word on streamlining.I would weigh his comments very carefully.

[aerohead]

Originally Posted by JeffM

I wonder if using a complete fairing behind the helmet in combination with the license plate mounted in the tail, like folks do with Pulsars, would combine for more drag reduction?

Pulsar tail (with inclosed tail light/license. I bet you could leave part of the rear of the plexiglass open to make it (semi)legal. For instance, clear plastic just to the rearward mounting screw in the photo below or you could just bring a screwdriver and remove a cover for states where covers are illegal:



or just open (small kamm effect )

Experimental evidence shows that the fairing would reduce drag,but there might be stability issues which would need to be weighed.

[aerohead]

Originally Posted by PeterS

Surely it deflects the airflow upwards , even a little ?

In a positive pressure gradient,as at the nose,the surrounding flow field could 'hold' the flow against the screen,preventing the overshoot.

[sendler]

The Hayabusa was tested at cd .56, cda ft2 at 3.37 with rider.
.
Sport Rider-Testing Suzuki Hayabusa and Kawasaki ZX-12R aerodynamics in the wind tunnel
.

[PeterS]

Originally Posted by sendler

The Hayabusa was tested at cd .56, cda ft2 at 3.37 with rider.
.
Sport Rider-Testing Suzuki Hayabusa and Kawasaki ZX-12R aerodynamics in the wind tunnel
.

I DO wish they would give figures with a rider.... it's pretty meaningless without that.

[sendler]

Originally Posted by PeterS

I DO wish they would give figures with a rider.... it's pretty meaningless without that.

all the bikes were tested with a rider

[PeterS]

That's implied in the article you linked .. Sport Rider-Testing Suzuki Hayabusa and Kawasaki ZX-12R aerodynamics in the wind tunnel but not actually stated unless I'm missing it ?

So is there a standard sized rider to mount and if not how do these numbers relate ?

[Grant-53]

I have a copy of the issue of Sport Rider with this article. I will check and compare the paper version with the online version. I seem to remember some discussion of the size of the riders named in the original. There may be a common range for height and weight of motorcycle racers but more likely at the level of Moto GP, testing is done for specific riders on their race bikes. Rules limit the height of the bodywork behind the rider.

Are there any other sources of articles on the use of helmet fairings such as those used on the D type Jaguar or open cockpit aircraft?

[sendler]

Originally Posted by Grant-53

helmet fairings

Moto GP racing leathers have evolved to include a huge, tear drop shaped "spine protector" which is obviously designed to be a helmet fairing aero aid.

[aerohead]

Originally Posted by Grant-53

I have a copy of the issue of Sport Rider with this article. I will check and compare the paper version with the online version. I seem to remember some discussion of the size of the riders named in the original. There may be a common range for height and weight of motorcycle racers but more likely at the level of Moto GP, testing is done for specific riders on their race bikes. Rules limit the height of the bodywork behind the rider.

Are there any other sources of articles on the use of helmet fairings such as those used on the D type Jaguar or open cockpit aircraft?

Book,'Aerodynamic Drag,' by Sighard Hoerner,self-published,might be a source for that data.