Which Guzzi is best suited for the lunar surface merged thread. ?

[bad Chad]

There was a thread posted yesterday, Artemis, about the excitement of returning humans to the moon, but it's gone now.  And that's a bummer, but I can't control the damage others do, so on word and up word!

No current Guzzi motor could function on the surface of the Moon, but let's assume there is some way to get an O2 motor work, what makes the most sense, and or which model floats your capsule?

I'm going right to the obvious choice, the V85tt, you can wish otherwise, but we all know it's the best choice, right?

[cliffrod]

Serious questions-

How would the weaker gravity and lack of atmospheric pressure impact usability?  Wouldnt normal earth-indexed suspension be hard as a rock under lower gravity or would it be the se because rider is also the same weight as on earth?

If a man can jump 10ft-20ft, wouldnt it need to be significantly detuned to avoid X Games-style stunts jumps with every tweak of the throttle?

I would think either a trials style bike (which guzzi doesnt offer) or an older lower hp horizontal single with easily adjusted friction dampened suspension might be better used as-is in such an application

Edit- I’m thinking how well Ford Model T basic tech matched the largely undeveloped terrain and limited repair/spares availability, both of which would be very relevant in such an isolated application.

[Mguzzi]

The rocket thread was very good. I didn't see it political or argumentative. Although I didn't agree with Chad , I found his post eye opening and very informative. Its a cold campfire we sit around !

[Tkelly]

Something with an electric motor might work.

[moto]

Maybe the old Mechanical Mule with an electric motor, much weaker springs and all or almost all the air let out of its tires.

[michaell32]

If the moon is mostly sand then I would pick a very light bike. My dr650 can be a handful out here in the desert at times.

[azccj]

Better yet, a 220 pound Rokon. They are only good for about 30mph, but what they lack in speed they make up for it with superior 2wd traction.

[guzzisteve]

One that uses no air or fuel. It would be an electric one like a Zero.

[Dr. Enzo Toma]

They did experiment with a lunar motorbike long ago, steering was an issue.

https://www.revzilla.com/common-tread/how-we-almost-had-a-minibike-on-the-moon

[Bulldog9]

As I said in my original post before the maroons went political and got the thread nixed, I think an electrified Guzzi Mule would be ideal.

[SIR REAL ED]

Would Earth type motorcycle oil work for a motorcycle on the Moon?

Asking for a friend.....

[SIR REAL ED]

Remember the benefits of the Apollo missions?

I ate more than a few Space Food Sticks & drank more than a few Carnation Instant Breakfasts.....

What are the next benefits?

[Ncdan]

The rocket thread was very good. I didn't see it political or argumentative. Although I didn't agree with Chad , I found his post eye opening and very informative. Its a cold campfire we sit around !

You didn’t see the political rant because it was removed immediately.
The moderators on this forum are well experienced in recognizing which threads and subject matter will generate issues and therefore must be consistently watched. This takes time and effort to babysit these threads which we are not going to do.
I will remind all members to keep the Forum rules  in mind prior to starting a thread. They are only 4 however they must be enforced to maintain the integrity of our Forum.
Continue on, however with caution.

[Tkelly]

I plead guilty for asking how much it cost.

[SIR REAL ED]

They did experiment with a lunar motorbike long ago, steering was an issue.

https://www.revzilla.com/common-tread/how-we-almost-had-a-minibike-on-the-moon

I suspect with so many inherent challenges already at hand, adding human balance as a potential ending to an extremely expensive mission made banning two wheel vehicles a instant no-brainer once the cost/benefit analysis was performed.

You know that if they packed more than one lunar minibike, instead of one car, it would take all of 5 minutes before these competitive guys started racing!!  Or attempting massive low gravity crator hill climbs!!

Imagine the eternal shame of the astronaut who "screwed the pooch" by high siding, low siding, or endoing the first lunar motorcycle!!! 

The first thought of the lunar Roger DeCoster wannabe would be "Man oh man!  There is no way I am going back to Earth and hearing dozens of times each day, every day, for the rest of my life, that I am a total screw up! I'm just gonna unzip my space suit right now!!"

[SIR REAL ED]

Serious questions-

How would the weaker gravity and lack of atmospheric pressure impact usability?  Wouldnt normal earth-indexed suspension be hard as a rock under lower gravity or would it be the se because rider is also the same weight as on earth?

If a man can jump 10ft-20ft, wouldnt it need to be significantly detuned to avoid X Games-style stunts jumps with every tweak of the throttle?

I would think either a trials style bike (which guzzi doesnt offer) or an older lower hp horizontal single with easily adjusted friction dampened suspension might be better used as-is in such an application

Edit- I’m thinking how well Ford Model T basic tech matched the largely undeveloped terrain and limited repair/spares availability, both of which would be very relevant in such an isolated application.

The weight of the bike and rider being reduced by a factor of six would be the same as spring rates that are six times stiffer than they were on Earth.

[SIR REAL ED]

Another campfire thought:

Now that the Internet is everywhere, will social media make the astronauts act as goofy as regular humans on the internet?

Already all the Artemis media releases seems "cutsy" & click bait orientated rather than simple event reporting.

Never underestimate the PR importance of everything from NASA.

[Bulldog9]

Would Earth type motorcycle oil work for a motorcycle on the Moon?

Asking for a friend.....

As it's a pressurized mechanical oiling for the pressure side, I imagine it would work the same. The exception being the gravity return open sump system in the crankcase which would probably would have to be a dry something sealed system. But I would imagine the pressurized system and properties of oil In bearings etc would work the same.

[Bulldog9]

Remember the benefits of the Apollo missions?

I ate more than a few Space Food Sticks & drank more than a few Carnation Instant Breakfasts.....

What are the next benefits?

Tang!

[SIR REAL ED]

Tang!

Oh man....how could I forget Tang!

I drank a couple barrels of that delicious orange colored water....

[jcctx]

Gee, now I am sorry I missed the rant???????

[Rocket Rod]

According to Grok:

The Apollo missions (1961–1972) drove numerous technological advancements for space travel, many of which NASA and partner companies later adapted into consumer products and everyday technologies. These "spinoffs" emerged from needs like lightweight tools, thermal protection, nutrition, and computing in harsh environments. Here are some of the most notable ones that reached the public:

Cordless Power Tools and Vacuums

NASA partnered with Black & Decker to develop battery-powered, portable tools for lunar sample collection (e.g., a cordless drill for Apollo 15 that could extract cores from below the Moon's surface). This led to compact, efficient motors and batteries that powered a range of cordless consumer tools, including drills, screwdrivers, and the iconic Dustbuster handheld vacuum cleaner (introduced in 1979).
Memory Foam (Temper Foam)
Originally developed to improve cushioning and impact protection in aircraft seats and astronaut equipment, this viscoelastic foam (which conforms to body shape and returns to its original form) became widely used in mattresses, pillows, shoe insoles, sports padding, and medical applications.

Freeze-Dried Food

To provide lightweight, nutritious, long-shelf-life meals for long-duration missions, NASA advanced freeze-drying techniques. This process preserves nutrients and reduces weight, leading to widespread commercial freeze-dried foods, snacks, and meals for camping, emergencies, and everyday use.

Space Blankets (Reflective Insulation)

Thin, reflective mylar and metallized materials, originally used for thermal control on spacecraft and lunar modules, were adapted into emergency "space blankets" for retaining body heat, as well as home insulation, camping gear, and food packaging.

Water Purification Systems

Apollo spacecraft required reliable systems to purify and recycle water. This led to technologies like silver-ion or charcoal-based filters that kill bacteria and remove contaminants, later used in household water filters, faucets, pool systems, and community water treatment.

Fire-Resistant Materials

Following the Apollo 1 fire, NASA developed advanced flame-retardant fabrics and coatings (e.g., for spacesuits and vehicle interiors). These spun off into firefighting gear, protective clothing for soldiers, and other safety textiles.

Wireless Headsets/Communication

Hands-free wireless communication systems for astronauts (allowing clear audio during missions, including Neil Armstrong's famous words) influenced early wireless headsets and contributed to broader portable audio tech.

CMOS Image Sensors

Work on miniaturized cameras for space missions (building on Apollo-era imaging needs) helped develop the complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) active pixel sensor. This became the foundation for digital cameras in cellphones, webcams, and other consumer imaging devices.

Other Notable Spinoffs

Improved athletic shoes — Designs inspired by spacesuit engineering, including better cushioning and support systems.

Nutritional supplements — Algae-based research for space food led to ingredients (like certain DHA/ARA fatty acids) now common in infant formula.

Advanced lubricants — Environmentally friendly versions originally for space hardware, now used in consumer products.

Broader impacts like enhanced integrated circuits (microchips) accelerated computing miniaturization, though the core invention predated Apollo.

Note that some popular myths are incorrect: NASA did not invent Tang, Velcro, or Teflon—these existed before but were used or popularized in the program.
Apollo's legacy extends far beyond these direct products; it accelerated miniaturization, materials science, and reliability engineering that benefited countless industries. NASA's Spinoff publications document thousands of such transfers. Many of these technologies continue to evolve in modern consumer goods.

[SIR REAL ED]

Someone else here already mentioned it, the documentary "S4" on Amazon prime is excellent.

[bad Chad]

Tang was invented several years before human spaceflight.   Wasn't designed with astronauts in mind.

[SIR REAL ED]

Tang was invented several years before human spaceflight.   Wasn't designed with astronauts in mind.

I think some of the astronauts are non-human and beat us into space....