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basically a motorcycle with a gyroscope in it to balance it at low speeds. if not a gyroscope, then a counter mass on a spring which goes to the other side to balance it.
i got the idea when i heard of the hancock tower having springs like these to counteract the swaying in the wind.
(?) Safe Stop training wheels
http://www.safetyfeatures.com/safe.htm
training wheels for cruiser bikes [whlanteigne, Mar 23 2007]
[link]
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Baked, way back in 1912. A motorbike was built with two rows of 2 seats and a large, engine-driven gyro in between. Hasn't been repeated since, and would surely be pretty lethal applied to an agile sports bike. The handling would become wild and illogical. |
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[edit] I've not long finished studying the physics of the gyroscope; the maths is wild and illogical too. |
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The inability to lean whilst travelling around corners this would create would be lethal. |
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Yeah but the Wolsey gyrocar DID lean when cornering, it just happened to stand upright when it was stationary. I can imagine this would appeal to fat American (or indeed any nationality) bikers so they don't have to put their feet down at junctions or traffic lights. ; ) |
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The main drawback of the Wolsey was the limited pitch (aircarft sense) variation in the gyroscope leading to a limited leaning capability for the bike and hence a limited turning circle/cornering speed. If the gyroscope was small and fast it could be fitted inside a 360 degree motor driven gimbal and these probs would be overcome. I'm going to build one over christmas i think, a radio controlled one. |
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If the goal is to hold the bike up while moving slowly or at stops, a "training wheel" device like the Safe Stop would be cheaper, and can be retrofitted to existing bikes. |
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I cannot believe you have all missed it. I
thought you were all smart people here. |
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Any idiot can keep a stationary motorcycle
upright. The *real* beauty of this idea, if
properly implemented, is that you can stop
at the lights and be perfectly poised whilst
leaning at a 45 degree angle. How cool is
that? |
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Well it would be cool if the Hancock
building did it - especially if it had a
giant hand at its base, turning it into
the Half-cocked building - (hums
contentedly) |
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My dad, who has a crazy memory, remembers a U.S. Forestry Service vehicle. It was a small scooter with a gyro-stabilizer that allowed one to park on a narrow trail and walk away without kickstands. It was used somewhere between 1965 and 1980, and I can't find any mention of it on the internet. If anyone else has, please let me know at safruit13@yahoo.com |
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