Steam resurgence, will it reach out to motorcycles?

**oldrider** · 26th January 2011, 06:01

With the advances on electric bikes lately, is there a hope that multifuel steam power will filter on to motorcycles?

http://landspeedrecord.intuitwebsites.com/index.html

Anything is possible, steam/electric hybrid motorcycle perhaps? (fizzzsssssssssssst

)

**Oakie** · 26th January 2011, 06:14

Well John, as much as the prospect of filling the tank from the outside tap appeals ... the thought of a boiler between my legs doesn't. Yeah, thousands of mini fuel/air explosions between my legs every minute is obviously much safer.

**Max Preload** · 26th January 2011, 14:43

There are obviously considerable safety concerns when considering crashing a pressure vessel filled with superheated steam vs fairly non-volatile petroleum distilate in its liquid form.

**Milts** · 26th January 2011, 16:16

As intersting as steam powered motorcycle would be, I'm not sure how efficient it would be vs electronic bike (+ the amount of torque offered by electric bikes has me waiting in anticipation).

Regardless, all the money for research is going the other way - so I suspect any developments will be in the more 'conventional' sector. Still, imagine the sound...

**Flip** · 26th January 2011, 16:17

You would use a steam generator and not the arch typical boiler.

These days if you had to get a car to comply with the current DG regulations you would never be able to fill it with dangerous Class 3.1 Petrol.

**blackdog** · 26th January 2011, 16:24

wow, an increase of 21mph in 105 years

cutting edge

**Flip** · 26th January 2011, 17:47

The vintage steam cars were very fast in their time.

I was on a Vintage Car Club rally where there was a Stanley Steamer, on the open road it left us for dead. OK we were in a Austin 7 special but even we were in the fast group.

About the only bugger is it took 15 min to get warmed up.

**oldrider** · 27th January 2011, 10:43

Originally Posted by Milts

As intersting as steam powered motorcycle would be, I'm not sure how efficient it would be vs electronic bike (+ the amount of torque offered by electric bikes has me waiting in anticipation).

Regardless, all the money for research is going the other way - so I suspect any developments will be in the more 'conventional' sector. Still, imagine the sound...

Google "Cyclone Power Technologies" or follow the link above Milts, I think you might enjoy the technological advance in external combustion engines!

I subscribe and follow it and it is starting to gain a bit of commercial traction with Great Wall in China as well as in the USA.

**slofox** · 27th January 2011, 10:45

Damn - I'd love a steam turbine bike...

**Paul in NZ** · 27th January 2011, 11:21

If steam had the same $$ and research petrol has enjoyed it would be very very good indeed. Frankly I think steams got a much better chance than electric at the moment.

**Flip** · 27th January 2011, 21:42

It won't be long before there is a diesel motorbike.

The problem is all the (condensing) steam turbines I have ever seen have been big heavy industrial slow things. A triple expansion steam piston motor is also a big bit of kit. Small and high speed, working at relatively high pressure, its just that it would take 20 years of R+D to develop the technology.

Ummmm diesel.....

**oldrider** · 27th January 2011, 22:48

Originally Posted by Flip

It won't be long before there is a diesel motorbike.

The problem is all the (condensing) steam turbines I have ever seen have been big heavy industrial slow things. A triple expansion steam piston motor is also a big bit of kit. Small and high speed, working at relatively high pressure, its just that it would take 20 years of R+D to develop the technology.

Ummmm diesel.....

Err hello, are you guy's actually reading the links about the "cyclone steam engine" being used as the prime mover for the speed record attempt above?

**Berries** · 27th January 2011, 23:02

Would it go choo choo ?

I'm in.

**Paul in NZ** · 28th January 2011, 06:51

Originally Posted by Berries

Would it go choo choo ?

I'm in.

Nah but it would look like you were doin mean skids if you dumped steam as you pulled away....

**oldrider** · 28th January 2011, 07:57

Information about the Cyclone steam engine development can be found here:
http://www.cyclonepower.com/

Check out all the videos on their waste heat engines. (WHE)

External combustion or heat from "any" suitable source can power these steam engines.

A motorcycle adaptation would be like an electric powered bike on steroids and as long as you could keep the fuel (any fuel) up to it range would not be the issue it is with electric bikes currently!