Jon What class are you going to run your bike in... 1350 mps/g ?
Turbo Rick
http://www.turborick.com
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jon Wennerberg" <jonw@up.net>
To: "'landspeedracer'" <landspeedracer@msn.com>; "'land speed list'"
<land-speed@autox.team.net>
Sent: Friday, December 28, 2001 8:40 AM
Subject: RE: Wheelbase
> Okay, here are my "novice" comments on wheelbase, etc. Maybe they'll be
> worth something to someone...
>
> Before I ever raced my bike I had the wheelbase lengthened (56.69" stock,
> now plus six inches) with a six-inch extended swingarm -- good and stiff,
to
> handle the increased power from the engine. The bike was lowered about
3/4"
> in the front forks and the rear suspension pulled down about the same with
> an "adjustable" link (I'm at the middle stop of a three-stop link -- the
> lowest left too little ground clearance back there). And, worth
> mentioning -- each time before I race it I have it measured and reset on
the
> Computrack alignment machine at the shop, making sure everything is
straight
> and true.
>
> Mine was the only extended bike (at least in the 1350-size classes).
Larry
> Forstall's Hayabusa, driven by Marc What-was-his-name, and my bike were
the
> only two over the 2 - his was stock length. Lots of 12R's competed.
>
> As a virgin I can't offer comments distilled from zillions of runs over
the
> years -- but I was happy with the handling of the bike. I'm comfortable
> stating that the long wheelbase helped me maintain my confidence when
> wheelspin came to visit at 180++ speeds, making the back end wiggle
> about --- but not so much that I wasn't confident. I just needed to keep
> cool, keep my hand in the throttle and WAIT for the thing to find some
more
> traction and settle down. And anyway it gave the spectators more
> roostertail to watch! as the rear wheel spun up and down. I've stated
here
> before that I did need to do some steering, and again I think that the
> longer wheelbase - the concomitant reduced "twitchiness" that the stock
> short wheelbase offers but the longer swingarm reduced - made it easier
for
> me to correct when I saw I wasn't going straight between the lines. I
> wasn't afraid to "bend the wheel, Toivo -- there's a twist in the road up
> ahead!" --- even though I'd never driven at speeds like that before.
>
> For aerodynamical reasons coupled with my 6'4" frame (see new name for
race
> team: "Seldom Seen Slim Racing") I would sit near the front of the seat
> while in lower gears (gotta keep the front wheel on the ground, you know)
> but move to the rear (pillion) seat as I got up to fifth (outa 6) so I
could
> tuck in better. My eyes didn't move too far back, if at all, but my
weight
> did shift towards the rear. Could that be another source of the stability
I
> enjoyed?
>
> After World of Speed but before Maxton I had a new aero tail section put
on
> the bike. It is not only better shaped, but allows me about six inches or
> so of "extra" seating. That means I can sit up front, as before, when I
> need to, but have a real seat with a real butt-stop to hold my hiney in
> place when I assume the extreme tuck. 189 and change at Maxton, so we'll
> have to wait 'til next year at the Salt for more results.
>
> I've got other stuff coming for 2002, so results may not be directly
> comparable (nod here to DrMayf and his wonderful need for data, real
data!).
> We'll be adding some aero work after the driver's seat (staying in class,
> though), and doing some front-end aero mods, too, and closing up some of
the
> holes in the front-and-middle parts of the fairing. Add a whole bunch of
> new horsepower (isn't that what racers always ask for??) and I think the
> bike'll be the snappy performer after which I lust.
>
> Is that enough for now?
>
> Jon #436 1350 M/PS/G
> Marquette, Michigan
> (that's way up north)
>
> -----Original Message-----
> Behalf Of landspeedracer
>
> What is the effect of wheelbase on vehicle speed. Another words are long
> wheelbase cars
>
> <<<BIKES?>>>
>
> inherently more stable than short ones? What are the advantages
> or disadvantages?
>
> John Beckett
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