For those that like Radials

[Bogstandard]

I was rooting around one of my usual forums and came across this monster.

A wonderful use for an oldish engine, but you can guarantee it is never destined for general road use. The fuel tank size would only ever allow you to do a few miles, can anyone else realise why it would be a bit difficult to go in anything other than a straight line.

John

 

[Twinsquirrel]

Nice pic Bogs,

can anyone else realise why it would be a bit difficult to go in anything other than a straight line.

My first thoughts were gyroscopic precession but I don't think that is right as on this design it is just the crank that rotates not the whole engine rotating around the crank like on the early aircraft applications. ??? ??? ???

David

 

[Tin Falcon]

the air flow for cooling the engine is all wrong . One would need a pretty stiff cross wind to keep the engine cool.

 

[ksouers]

Forget the bike, I'll take the T-28!

Looks like the belt drive off the engine is dangerously close to the leg. Don't wear loose clothing!

I can thank of a couple reasons why I wouldn't want to ride it very far: The seating position looks incredibly uncomfortable. The steering geometry looks like it would be difficult to control. The center of gravity is very high.

Still, it's a pretty cool design, strictly from an eye-candy perspective.

 

[Dick L.]

I couldn't imagine straddling that in traffic. My 83 Shovelhead is hot enough on those body parts when its 80 degrees out. ;D
Like that airplane !
Dick

 

[Brass_Machine]

There are quite a few radial engined choppers running around.

Story HERE

Jesse Jame's version

Story HERE

JRL Cycles: I think you can actually buy one.

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Story HERE

Eric

 

[Bogstandard]

Wonderful stuff that Eric,

It just goes to show what some people get up to, but they all have the same problem.

Draw a line between the two wheel axles, and see how much higher the crankshaft of the engine is.

This to me suggests it will be very unstable in anything other than a straight vertical run. The c of g is much too high, and as they bank to go around the bend, they will have to fight to get it upright again, it will just try to keep on going over. I have enough trouble with my flat six, and that is a lot lower than axle height, they must be really struggling.

John