Reducing unsprung weight/mass

[sAsLEX]

Apart from the leakage issue, I reckon by some really rough calculations that you'd save around 50g per tyre.

So is it worth it for 100g reduction in weight - I doubt you'd notice the difference. Start saving for the carbon dymags.

there is a write up in this months superbike where they data log a bike with standard then bst carbon wheels, up to 150mph the carbon wheels have over a hundered metre advantage and they stop quicker as well!

[scroter]

Can anybody see any obvious problems with filling ones tyres with Helium? Other than the cost

no offence intended, but can you really ride that hard that youll notice the difference. Basically ive never heard of any of the racers talking about that and they still make a bike go pretty darn quick. anyway good luck finding out

[sedge]

Buy some worn slicks, they'll weigh less due to the lack of rubber... scrape the paint off the wheels, dremel attack the fork lowers and get rid of unwanted castings/sharp edges, use worn brake pads... Ah... Sounds like one of my old bikes already... Heh heh... It wasn't shite, just in a permanent state of reduced unsprung weight.

Sedge.

[Ixion]

Main things that contribute to unsprung weight are the mass of the brake rotors, the tyres, and the wheel rims.

To reduce the contribution that the weight of the brake rotors make to unsprung weight, they drill holes in them (the rotors - and I know it serves other purposes as well).

So, extend the logic to the other heavy bits, the tyres and wheel rims. Drill holes in them too. That will make them MUCH lighter.

And the best thing is, you can easily do it yourself at home, and it costs nothing. Just get out the electric drill and a decent sized drill bit , and drill away.

[DEATH_INC.]

Besides, your still not reducing the mass. Sure, filling the tyres with helium will make them lighter in relation to gravity, but will it really have an effect on how quickly the suspension moves in relation to the road and the bike? Someone with an engineering degree might be able to confirm or deny, but in my laymans train of thought, I cant actually see it having any difference what so ever.

This is correct, it may weigh less on the scales, but the force required to move it is still the same......so no advantage whatsoever.

[FROSTY:Me]

I want some of those super duper light wheels --ferry sexy.

[cowpoos]

Could do burnouts and save more weight huh?

are u meaning anything by that new sig of yours fella???

it don't make scence??

[cowpoos]

Main things that contribute to unsprung weight are the mass of the brake rotors, the tyres, and the wheel rims.

To reduce the contribution that the weight of the brake rotors make to unsprung weight, they drill holes in them (the rotors - and I know it serves other purposes as well).

So, extend the logic to the other heavy bits, the tyres and wheel rims. Drill holes in them too. That will make them MUCH lighter.

And the best thing is, you can easily do it yourself at home, and it costs nothing. Just get out the electric drill and a decent sized drill bit , and drill away.

but does a 10inch wheel weighing the same...disc's,bearings,tyres,air included....make the same gyroscopic force as a 17inch wheel??? ponder over it for a while.....

[ducatilover]

all i know is you can make a huge difference to lap times by using lighter rims, they not only take less force to rotate they also change direction quicker, and they force acting upon it doesnt need to be as great so its easyier to counter-react [brakes i geuss thats what does that other than friction and blah blah] so if it can turn in quicker, accellerate quicker and stop quicker by having lighter rims then why not get them? or why not learn how to ride the bike to its full potential as rossi would? i am a huge fan of weight reduction [and im only 55kg so im not too woried about taking a dump, although it would help cos im fulla shyte]and id rather take weight of my bikes than add power [but doing both is even better]

[Pixie]

And has been suggested... take a dump before the race. In fact - down a 1/2 bottle of castor oil... hang around the loos till you're ok to put your clothes back on (let's face it - it IS the decent thing to do), cut down on the maccas and you'll be good.

Unsprung weight - svs has it sussed.
MDU

And use meth for six months.

Really, this forum attracts some pointless discussions