My 1952 Panhead
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.
There is a reason that ford dumped lucas electric when they bought jaguar.
The sun never shines on lucas electric.
Any bike going over 70 mph is a problem, not because they can't go that fast but because they shouldn't. Most people do not have the reflexes or muscles to control a 600lb plus machine in an emergency situation. I know all about that because of friends of mine who are now doing 1 mph in the wheelchairs that are the sole means of transportation they can depend on now. And I have been riding bikes for over 35 years, And believe me Helmets do not Help!
If you are using muscles to control a bike, you are doing something wrong to begin with. Countersteering requires very little physical exersion even at triple digit speeds. As for reflexes, that is up to the individual. People should know thier limitations. This applies just as much to people in cages.
And believe me Helmets do not Help
Strange. A helmet helped me from getting my head cracked in two on one of my spills. Same for my friends who have gone down.
Darn you beat me, I only have 12 and change.
Unfortunately I am between bikes now so you will beat me this year. ;)
The nuts of which I speak belong to hunting clubs with thousands of acres of land crisscrossed by dirt roads, they like to roar down the road to the deerstand at super speed. They remind me of the "fishermen" who can't go bass fishing unless they have a boat capable of seventy miles an hour on the water so they can fish for five minutes in one spot and then roar off to another spot five miles away across the water. Meanwhile the guy who really wants to catch fish is catching bigger and better bass from the bank of a three acre pond.
My 1952 Panhead
Now that is a gorgeous bike.
Thank you. I'm kinda proud of it.
You should be. I hope my 2002 FLSTF looks that good in 2052 (and I hope I'm around to make that judgment!).
It didn't always look that good. It was a mess when I got it and took a lot of work and $,$$$ to get it the way it is now. Specially since 99% of the parts are original.
Naw... this is...
That's pretty, but I'd have to buy some stock in a chrome cleaner company. LOL! I'd me more afraid to ride that than my Panhead.
"Hard drives powered by a Morris Mini engine?"
You've got a Morris Mini engine? You're so lucky! I make do with an old 2 stroke Sopwith Camel castoff. It works fine but the starting crank gets in the way of the CD draw.
Few things are more annoying than a glass-packed rice burner or a moron on an extra-loud motorcycle driving through the neighborhood at 1 am.
They can cry me a river as more municipalities start issuing noise restrictions.
I make do with an old 2 stroke Sopwith Camel castoff.
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