See what I mean?
Regards, Ivan
Posted on 03/17/2005 1:53:38 AM PST by MadIvan
LONDON - Environmentally minded British motorcycle engineers have produced a zero-emission bike that ticks all the right boxes except one - it's too quiet.
So quiet in fact that its designers are looking to introduce artificial vroom to keep potential customers happy.
Powered by a high pressure hydrogen fuel cell, the Emissions Neutral Vehicle (ENV) produces the equivalent noise of a personal computer fan belt.
Not only is that distinctly wimpish in the eyes of many bikers, it could also be dangerous.
Makers Intelligent Energy are looking at ways to produce an artificial engine noise that will alert people to its presence, making sure the machine is not silent and deadly.
"We will consider that," said Nick Talbot, the project leader at Seymourpowell, who were hired by Intelligent Energy to design a bike to their brief.
The British designed and built bike, which has no gears, can reach speeds of 50 miles per hour.
Motorcycle enthusiasts have welcomed the green innovation but say some bikers like the roar of an engine and the thrill of going fast.
"It fits the definition of a motorcycle, but not as we know it," said Jeff Stone, a spokesman for the British Motorcycle Federation.
"The motorcycle is a primitive thing and it appeals to the inner person. The excitement and exhilaration of a bike is why people ride them."
Stone, however, believes that the "soft and cuddly" green bike could be useful in city traffic.
The bike's briefcase-sized fuel cell needs to be topped up every 100 miles and so far there is only one station in Britain that supplies the type of hydrogen required.
But its makers believe that will change.
"The whole point of the project is to say the technology is here, it works, so now put the infrastructure up," said Talbot.
See what I mean?
Regards, Ivan
Ping!
Looks like it would be fun for scooting around the farm or the beach. They should put the motor on an ATV. Hunters would like it a great deal for its stealth.
It would never work in London - the drivers there would kill these riders. Out in the shires, maybe.
But the whole thing of there only being 1 hydrogen station is a bit much to contend with.
Regards, Ivan
Just WHAT kind of PC's do Y'all use over there on the other side of the pond anyway?
anybody else got any input on this one?
I have a a golf cart that is more comfy!
So I just ignored it:-)
Well I just had to ask.
I've taken apart a bunch of different and old computers and never seen one that had a cooling fan belt in it.
Now a tape drive belt yes but not a cooling fan belt.
No mention of the price. As I understand it, fuel cells are very expensive.
Unless they are trying to say it is so quiet that it makes as much noise as something that does not exist...
This is perfect for SAS and SEALs that need "stealth" for covert land transportation. I wonder what kind of heat signature it puts out?
This "thing" you have pictured is no more a motorcycle than a 1965 Sears moped. Anyone who confuses the two would probably never buy a real motorcycle anyway.
Hard to believe that this "thing" came from the same country that gave us the Norton Commando and the BSA A65L Lightning.
Nope, we have had direct drive cooling fans for a couple decades at minimum.
Apparently it's £4500.
Regards, Ivan
That would be a Lucas water-cooled PC.
They meant personal computer cooling fan. No one said the folks at Reuters knew anything about computers. Or much else, for that matter.
Regards, Ivan
LOL!!!
How could I forget the The Prince of Darkness.
Ever seen the bumper sticker that looks like an MGB headlight switch?
The labels read:
DIM
FLICKER
OFF
I don't know about you guys, but I wouldn't want to be riding a motorcycle with a cylinder of high-pressure hydrogen between my legs.
If I'm gonna ride a bike it will not be a "PC" one and it will be offroad.
I'd much rather drive a NASCAR or NHRA Nitro Fuel Car that any bike.
Or ride in an F-16 and puke in my O2 mask.
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