Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2001/05/15

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Subject: Re: [Leica] Laithewaite and the motorcycle
From: Douglas Herr <telyt@earthlink.net>
Date: Tue, 15 May 2001 16:24:48 -0400 (EDT)

- ------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