Author Topic: Strangest Motorbike Designs Ever Made  (Read 568 times)

Offline Tom

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Strangest Motorbike Designs Ever Made
« on: November 26, 2022, 01:01:56 PM »
Maybe not "strange" but different from conventional designs.  Current maxi-scooters aka Dan Gurney's Alligator would fit in this category.  The Megola intrigues me because of the fueling with a spinning engine.   :tongue:  Any engineers out there to explain the fuel line connections??   :shocked: :shocked:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k51x-zgD0i4&t=20s
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Offline nwguy

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Re: Strangest Motorbike Designs Ever Made
« Reply #1 on: November 26, 2022, 06:58:10 PM »
One user's comment about that video says the Megola used a rotary and not a radial engine. I saw one at the Munich Museum of Transportation. He is incorrect. It used a 5 cylinder radial engine. Pics I took of it below.





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Offline FarmallA

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Re: Strangest Motorbike Designs Ever Made
« Reply #2 on: November 26, 2022, 07:58:18 PM »
I'm not an engineer, but..

It's a rotary, like the engine in a Sopwith Camel and Fokker Triplane.  A radial has a stationary crankcase and the crank turns.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rotary_engine

Induction is through the hollow stationary crankshaft.  One carb.   Probably not the best throttle response.   

I think I saw one at the Gugenheim.

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Offline Moparnut72

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Re: Strangest Motorbike Designs Ever Made
« Reply #3 on: November 27, 2022, 08:46:49 AM »
Wikipedia says it is a radial. Reading further it sounds more like a rotary but the description is somewhat confusing. I did further research and it is definitely a rotary. I worked on radials after I retired but never a rotary.
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Re: Strangest Motorbike Designs Ever Made
« Reply #3 on: November 27, 2022, 08:46:49 AM »

Offline sdcr

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Re: Strangest Motorbike Designs Ever Made
« Reply #4 on: November 27, 2022, 09:48:51 AM »
I think this steam powered motorcycle is pretty odd.

Might catch on if gas goes up to $25. A gallon.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roper_steam_velocipede


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Offline Gustav

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Re: Strangest Motorbike Designs Ever Made
« Reply #5 on: November 27, 2022, 10:14:47 AM »

 Being the owner of a 2013 Honda fsc 600 Silverwing, I don't consider it one bit ''strange".

Offline Tom

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Re: Strangest Motorbike Designs Ever Made
« Reply #6 on: November 27, 2022, 02:37:07 PM »
I'm not an engineer, but..

I think I saw one at the Gugenheim.

Steve
FarmallA

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Offline Tom

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Re: Strangest Motorbike Designs Ever Made
« Reply #7 on: November 28, 2022, 04:34:52 PM »
Being the owner of a 2013 Honda fsc 600 Silverwing, I don't consider it one bit ''strange".

A lot fans here for that Honda bike.
From the Deep Deep South out in left field.  There are no stupid questions.  There are however stupid people asking questions.  🤣, this includes me.  😉

Offline cloudbase

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Re: Strangest Motorbike Designs Ever Made
« Reply #8 on: November 29, 2022, 05:21:11 PM »
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Offline Kaladin

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Re: Strangest Motorbike Designs Ever Made
« Reply #9 on: November 29, 2022, 05:26:30 PM »
One user's comment about that video says the Megola used a rotary and not a radial engine. I saw one at the Munich Museum of Transportation. He is incorrect. It used a 5 cylinder radial engine. Pics I took of it below.







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Offline Tim Henry

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Re: Strangest Motorbike Designs Ever Made
« Reply #10 on: November 30, 2022, 10:34:52 AM »
I always thought i would like to aquire a Bohmerland or convert a bike to mimic one  it would have been a good replacement for my old side car for hauling the family around

 

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