Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2001/05/15
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]- ------Original Message------ From: "Alan Hull" <hull@telia.com> To: leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us Sent: May 15, 2001 7:53:42 PM GMT Subject: Re: [Leica] Laithewaite and the motorcycle >>> I remember a massive discusion that occupied many acedemic minds regarding the question of how a high speed motocyclist can lean into a bend. It was argued that as soon as the rider turned the handelbars into the curve, the pressesive action of the gyro effect on the front wheel would tend to throw the rider in the opposite direction assisted by centrifugal force. The solution to the problem was that as the rider approached the bend he actually steered momentarily in the opposite direction. The gyroscopic effect then gave him the correct lean. He then counteracted this gyroscopic effect by steering under himself to balance all the forces of gravity, centrifugal force, and gyroscopic pressesion. All without a computer. Incredible isn't it? Alan <<< Consider riding a bicycle... a child can do it... it's much like riding a motorcycle, with the addition of the leg motions on alternate sides of the body/bike... which says much for the human mind, even one of a child. Doug Herr Birdman of Sacramento http://www.wildlightphoto.com