The TX650 Tracker Concept

beatpoet · Full Member Joined: Jan 05, 2008 Posts: 33

metalredneck wrote:

I'm planning to build an Akira bike starting this spring, so keep me posted on this setup, it looks like it may fit my needs. Cheers.

Here is a Tony Foale quickie on suspension geometries. I think what you may be looking for is the 'swinging arm' suspension.

http://www.tonyfoale.com/Articles/Steer/STEER.htm

And the root of that site is a real gem too. www.tonyfoale.com/

Note: This is the *front* of the bike.

Look at the Bimota TESI. Also the front! Shocked

beatpoet · Full Member Joined: Jan 05, 2008 Posts: 33

Also for anti-dive:

I did a google search for Eric Offenstadt, who is mentioned in a book that I'm reading. He runs some odd geometry - haven't been able to find info on these:

yamaman · Posted: January 3, 2009, 1:52 pm Post subject: Re: The TX650 Tracker Concept

The funny thing about motorcycles is the closer they are to perfect the less interesting they are. Honda have been close for ages with the VFR's, they handle great, plenty of power, super comfortable but boring as bat s***!
Good luck in your quest for the ultimate FFE, if you crack it, you'll be a billionaire for sure. As you've pointed out, plenty have tried before and there mostly on the scrap heap BMW aside. This is no reason to stop what your trying to do, maybe a reason to go harder on it!
Cheers

beatpoet · Full Member Joined: Jan 05, 2008 Posts: 33

yamaman wrote:

The funny thing about motorcycles is the closer they are to perfect the less interesting they are.
Cheers

If boring is not white-knuckling your bike as you brake into a corner and praying as your bike chitters slowly towards the treeline then bore me every time.

This is a purely intellectual pursuit for me: The investigation of alternatives. I spend just as much time dreaming and wrenching as I do riding. Oh yeah, did I mention that winter is from October to May around these parts?

I'm not trying to crack the billionaire mark, just having a chat amongst like-minded friends.

yamaman · Posted: January 3, 2009, 6:26 pm Post subject: Re: The TX650 Tracker Concept

Mate, no dramas here! Whatever blows your hair back is fine with me! Enjoy, cheers

beatpoet · Full Member Joined: Jan 05, 2008 Posts: 33

Sorry - trying to kick the smokes again.

metalredneck · Full Member Joined: Aug 04, 2008 Posts: 308

I'm planning on running a liquid-cooled 583cc Rotax snowmobile engine behind & under the seat for the Akira project. I'm a former snowmobile mechanic, so this will be fun. Plus, they make STUPID horsepower, and I can run a jack-shaft to make the swingarm geometry right. Here's what I'm hoping for regarding a final look. Hopefully it works, but it will be a long term project.

yamaman · Posted: January 13, 2009, 5:51 pm Post subject: Re: The TX650 Tracker Concept

Maybe on such a machine, a hydraulic drive would be in order, could even drive from the front as well then?????
With such a mammoth wheel base, two wheel steering might also be handy!

home.mira.net/~iwd/2x2x2/intro.html

home.mira.net/~iwd/2x2x2/index.html

metalredneck · Full Member Joined: Aug 04, 2008 Posts: 308

Actually, using a pump & two orbit motors has occurred to me. On the movie the bike is two-wheel drive, and this would make having a reverse gear possible as well. This also opens up a whole world of options for swingarm & front end configurations.

Thanks for the mind-jog, Yamaman!

What Happened to 650rider.com?

Yamaha xs650