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gyroscope for motorcycle

 self explanatory ... ?
  (+2, -3)
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basically a motorcycle with a gyroscope in it to balance it at low speeds. if not a gyroscope, then a counter mass on a spring which goes to the other side to balance it.

i got the idea when i heard of the hancock tower having springs like these to counteract the swaying in the wind.

—leftychang, Dec 07 2004

(?) Safe Stop training wheels http://www.safetyfeatures.com/safe.htm
training wheels for cruiser bikes [whlanteigne, Mar 23 2007]

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       Baked, way back in 1912. A motorbike was built with two rows of 2 seats and a large, engine-driven gyro in between. Hasn't been repeated since, and would surely be pretty lethal applied to an agile sports bike. The handling would become wild and illogical.   

       [edit] I've not long finished studying the physics of the gyroscope; the maths is wild and illogical too.
—david_scothern, Dec 07 2004
   

       The inability to lean whilst travelling around corners this would create would be lethal.
—harderthanjesus, Dec 07 2004
   

       Yeah but the Wolsey gyrocar DID lean when cornering, it just happened to stand upright when it was stationary. I can imagine this would appeal to fat American (or indeed any nationality) bikers so they don't have to put their feet down at junctions or traffic lights. ; )   

       The main drawback of the Wolsey was the limited pitch (aircarft sense) variation in the gyroscope leading to a limited leaning capability for the bike and hence a limited turning circle/cornering speed. If the gyroscope was small and fast it could be fitted inside a 360 degree motor driven gimbal and these probs would be overcome. I'm going to build one over christmas i think, a radio controlled one.
—Belfry, Dec 07 2004
   

       If the goal is to hold the bike up while moving slowly or at stops, a "training wheel" device like the Safe Stop would be cheaper, and can be retrofitted to existing bikes.
—whlanteigne, Mar 23 2007
   

       I cannot believe you have all missed it. I thought you were all smart people here.   

       Any idiot can keep a stationary motorcycle upright. The *real* beauty of this idea, if properly implemented, is that you can stop at the lights and be perfectly poised whilst leaning at a 45 degree angle. How cool is that?
—MaxwellBuchanan, Mar 23 2007
   

       Well it would be cool if the Hancock building did it - especially if it had a giant hand at its base, turning it into the Half-cocked building - (hums contentedly)
—xenzag, Mar 24 2007
   

       My dad, who has a crazy memory, remembers a U.S. Forestry Service vehicle. It was a small scooter with a gyro-stabilizer that allowed one to park on a narrow trail and walk away without kickstands. It was used somewhere between 1965 and 1980, and I can't find any mention of it on the internet. If anyone else has, please let me know at safruit13@yahoo.com
—TheWhoollyMammoth, Apr 09 2007
   


 

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