I've wondered also but was afraid it may act like a rudder.
J.C.
-----Original Message-----
From: john robinson <john@engr.wisc.edu>
To: land-speed@autox.team.net <land-speed@autox.team.net>
Date: Monday, February 12, 2001 12:38 PM
Subject: MC aerodynamics
>Howdy,
> As I look at pictures of bikes that are racing at Bonneville Salt Flats,
>(and any road race bike in the last 30 years or so), I notice all bikes do
>not have any aero fairing on the lower fork legs; as this is a known
>smoother of air, by making the rear of any round tube pointed, how come no
>one is modifying the lower legs for more speed? It can't be because it's
>too hard to do, some of the work I've seen done is incredible....why? Is it
>that the pattern of air that is flowing around the front forward edge of
>the tire and the disruption of air by the spokes that causes the aero
>advantage to be negated? somebody try it before and it didn't work, too
>much unsprung weight? anybody seen any wind tunnel data that I could read?
>For straight line speed, as at the Salt, how come no one has made the back
>of the front fender more fair the same way, with a pointed tail section?
>How about gathering the air, as most bikes do now, at the front of the
>engine, direct it in a closed tube through the bike and vent it via
>converging diverging vents aimed at the hole in the air above and behind
>the rider? Bikes punch a fairly dirty hole in the air, any cleaning up
>results in more speed, doesn't it? anybody got books that I can go to for
>bike aerodynamics? or is it a black art, secrets for the manufacturers
only?
[This message delayed, as it needed manual intervention by the list
administrator. mjb.]
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