Tiptoeing around

[red675]

The concern linking it purely to speed is that things that are unsettling can really put you off your game when emergency braking.
What I mean is: a seat suddenly deflating could change several characteristics while you are already braking hard. 2 inches seat height might not amount to much or it could have a dramatic effect on your perception of the event.

Before I embarked on any sort of lengthy test ride I would want to compare my braking distances with the seat enabled and disabled. An extra foot or two might be still be acceptable knowing the characteristics such as carrying a pillion means an extra 5-10% braking distance but I might chose to take one anyway and ride accordingly.
Is that better or worse on gravel?


Stupid phone / Tapatalk, apologies in advance.

I'm setting it up to actuate as I pass down through 4mph (walking speed) - by that point most of the serious braking will be over unless someone's coming the other way .... in which case the ejector seat idea has some appeal
you've got me thinking though that the rate of fall needs to be slowed down a bit as it currently takes about one second

[T.W.R]

what is it about Citroen's Hydropneumatic suspension system ??? It wasn't that good or it would have been copied by now by everyone and all over the place, but you keep coming across people who swear it beats sliced bread

helps pygmys get in & out of the cars so could be applied to what you're looking for

"the Citroën system relies on an engine-driven pump to pressurise the hydraulic system and it is this power source which enables self-levelling, variable ride height, assisted jacking and zero roll (in the Activa Xantia) and also allows for fully powered braking systems and power steering too."



sure there's plenty of custom cars out there that have copied the principle

[nzspokes]

I'm truly sorry to hear that.
I lowered the seat base relative to the top of the frame as far as it would go (stole another 15mm that way) and then to be fair the maximum lowering I could achieve was limited to the thickness of the original seat which in my case was 60mm - so what's achievable is strongly linked to the geometry of the bike you start with. If you prefer you can PM me with the details and maybe send me some pictures but at some point it'll need measuring it or something like it to see what scope there is for improvement.

At some stage I would like to see your setup. Bike is at bare frame stage and I have to complete the one before it first. That wont take long, month or two.

There is plenty of room in the frame to play with, and being steel any mods to the frame are also easy. Will need to mount some quickshift gear but I doubt that will take much room. Also going to move the battery from under the seat to under the carbs to get the weight lower so that makes more room as well. Any extra things I need to add I would want low in the bike to keep the top weight down.

[red675]

https://youtu.be/isIYwP7d8QA