In a message dated 1/1/07 1:16:04 PM, bobhoveyga@aol.com writes:
>"Clear as mud is right." The broomstick example may be unassailable from
>a physics standpoint but it is counter to the design principles of race
>cars and motorcycles where low center of gravity is one of the the holy
>grails of sure-footed handling (and resistance to roll in turns in the
>case of autos).
Sorry, Bob, but the low center of gravity thing doesn't work with single
track vehicles. ELF tried that in the 80s with underslung fuel tanks and the
motors didn't handle well. Mass centralization is the key with single track
vehicles, not low centers of gravity. And we have that in bicycles where the rider
represents the greatest portion of the weight.
Phil Brown
San Rafael, Calif.