Essay on motorcycle history

orionburn · Post by **orionburn** » Tue Jun 06, 2006 6:08 pm

Luckily my professor agreed to let me do my final paper on the history/evolution of motorcycles. Our paper is supposed to be about how things have changed in the field we are looking to enter. Needless to say I'm on a mad hunt for source materials now. If you guys have any recommendations on books, or links to good articles send 'em my way.

:rock

Nate

Post by **Hooligan** » Tue Jun 06, 2006 10:37 pm

i have a recent issue of something with a nice article on the britten. should work well for an engineering student.

i can scan the article for ya if you are interested.

dragracer1951 · Post by **dragracer1951** » Wed Jun 07, 2006 7:38 am

Get on Tony Foale's (sp???) chassis design list for a REAL education on chassis design and change.
Google is your friend

orionburn · Post by **orionburn** » Wed Jun 07, 2006 8:23 am

I looked around a lot of sites last night trying to get some ideas. Actually had a tough time finding anything. I guess what would help is focal points of things that have changed, like your idea on chassis, Jim. Main ones I'm thinking of are suspension and carbs vs. fuel injection.

If I can get enough info I want to focus on sport bikes only. If I can't then I'll have to do a general history from the begining through the early eras of Indians and, sigh, Harley.

Post by **Hooligan** » Wed Jun 07, 2006 11:17 am

the girder style front forks on the vincents are amazing pieces of art. check them out. bmw's telelever is also a different twist on suspension.

also, you might want to look for the moto czyzs sportbike project. was supposed to be pretty revolutionary, but i think it went tits up? here's the link to their site:

http://www.motoczysz.com/

orionburn · Post by **orionburn** » Mon Jun 12, 2006 11:20 am

Man oh man I didn't think it would be this hard to find info.

I'll have to talk to my Prof tonight. I'd really just like to do a history of Yamaha alone, but don't know if she'll go for that or not. Either that or try to piece together info on how MotoGP has progressed over the years. I'm supposed to have like 4 pages done for tonight. I haven't even found my sources yet

I can write fast as hell and usually I have more of a problem keeping it short than I do making it long enough. Guess I'll have to hit the bookstore this week. Hmm...wonder if work will reimburse me for that. Maybe I can pass it off as "needs for class."

KontoBoy · Post by **KontoBoy** » Mon Jun 12, 2006 10:40 pm

You need to take a field trip to th motorcycle museum at Barber. i hear it is great.

Kontoboy

orionburn · Post by **orionburn** » Wed Jun 14, 2006 6:14 am

Is that the one in Ohio? I know there's one somewhere over there around Cleveland or Columbus...can't remember.

Sadly I'm going to have to choose a different topic. For what she wants us to write about I simply can't get the info I need right now.

Post by **Hooligan** » Wed Jun 14, 2006 11:37 am

barber museum is in alabama. i grew up in cleveland, i am only aware of the auto museum (has a few bikes). maybe there is a new one? i'll be back in town there this weekend, maybe i'll check into it...

orionburn · Post by **orionburn** » Tue Jun 20, 2006 12:15 pm

Well I think I have a potential career in politics with the way I've flip-flopped on this subject. I finally found enough info that I can bullsh!t my way through a decent paper. Talked it over with my teacher last night and she said my idea was fine.

I can use some extra ideas if you guys got them. I'm only going to focus on Yamaha and not worry about the rest of the mfgs. I'm focusing on the sports and that's it. So I'll start off with the early days of the FZ, work my way into the FZR and early YZFs then up to the current R1s.

The two most obvious ones to me that Yamaha is known for is the 5 valve design and of course the EXUP valve. So if you have other ideas of focal points let me know. Right now I'm looking at showing the changes in engineering and also what has remained consistent throughout the years. Main focal points I have so far is the 2 above, along with changes in suspension.

Links will help too if you got anything interesting.

orionburn · Post by **orionburn** » Tue Jun 20, 2006 6:14 pm

Actually right now there's only one area I really need help with. What's the main benefit that was achieved when they went to the USD type forks vs conventional? I'm searching the intraweb but I know I can get more info out of you guys....

dragracer1951 · Post by **dragracer1951** » Tue Jun 20, 2006 7:39 pm

less unsprung weight, stiffer stronger front end....better handleing. Able to use stronger brakes...better handleing.