I always thought that the old chassis turned out to be too flexible for modern engines. Turned out the game is all about how forkhead and swaybar exert forces on specific points of chassis and hence the entire wobbling. The ease with which he tells the story and clarity of it as an eyewitness himself is incredible! Sometimes those who know history of industrial design evolution, can teach and explain way better than a professor in Uni. I mean analysing the forces with software and equations are important, but it cimes AFTER you meet thise who know the real evolution history and reasons for it. Well done guys
I am from Brazil. I feel blessed watching this amazing video. Mr. Cameron I read your comments and columns since 1981. Please Cycle World bring more videos like this one. Kevin Cameron is one of the best minds of all the world concerning our beloved motorcycles.
Pictures of what Kevin is talking about would be very helpful, as well as visually more engaging. Less repetitive music would help also. Need more of these, Kevin is a tour de force of information!
So this is what Kevin looks like. I love his articles this man is a hell of an engineer. He's pretty good at explaining it in layman's terms, some of his explanations sail over my head. But I do enjoy reading his articles thank you Kevin for all your work. I wish I could have you figure out what is wrong with the carbs on my 82 Yamaha XJ 1100.
I didn't know about the Antonio Kobaš Honda connection. Some things are starting to make sense now. The VF750F Interceptor frame of 1983 was an early (very heavy square section steel tube) fore runner of the modern perimeter frame. But Antonio Kobaš was building race bikes with perimeter frames of aluminium before that. I've only just learned that to Pons moved to the Honda factory racing team in 1986
Great video, light but very informative. I'd like to hear something about the famous Seeley frame which had a configuration, on it's upper perimetral section, somewhat similar to the one fond on the Delta Box developed by Yamaha in more recent decades, besides, obviously, the fact that Colin Seeley built his from rounded tubes and the Japanese factory made theirs in aluminum. It seems to me (of course I may be wrong) that by that reason, Seeley filled not only an engeneering gap between two eras but also had a historical relevance showing, in his design, how the forces that act on a motorcycle body could be better neutralized in order to keep the machine stable. Best regards from Brazil.
The best 350cc British motorcycle of the 1960s was the MK3 Seeley frame with the 1959 7R AJS motor. That frame is also good with a Commando motor. The twisting force is due to the frames steering geometry causing the motorcycle to have too much lean. The Japanese tend to develop existing designs - they went down a certain path which is not always applicable. More trail past a certain point, causes oversteer and less lean.
I love this series. I say keep it minimal - no need for fancy graphics etc. Maybe a whiteboard or blackboard at most. The music doesn't bother me, but as someone else said, please eliminate the background noise if possible.
Kevin is a legend. Encore! If you like this, there is a whole book just for you: www.amazon.com/Classic-Motorcycle-Race-Engines-Technical/dp/1844259943
Back in the 1970's if one wanted a bike that handled and cornered without twitching, one didn't ride Japanese. Only European bikes handled and could take corners safely. My old Suzuki GT550B suffers from frame chronic flex. The OEM swinging arm would have one side still going up whilst the other side was going down, causing a slow motion weave at speeds over 70 MPH. I replaced it with a Dresda box section swinging arm. It stopped the weave but didn't improve the evil handling or cornering much. The bike still had the nasty bad handling trait of steering on the throttle and brakes when cornering. Fork flex under braking was already a problem with the advent on twin leading shoe, double twin leading shoe and quad leading shoe drum brakes, as these can be very grabby and harsh when set up to 100% efficiency. The Suzuki GT125, GT185 and X7 are notorious for fork flexing (actually visible to the rider) as they all share the same fork leg tubes. The bad handling problems on the X7 were all down to the too thin fork leg tubes.
I think some modern sport bikes are too stiff. Just a personal opinion but I rode my old 92 gsxr 750 around summit point 2 years ago then rode a 2018 r6 and the newer Yamaha seemed to have less wiggle changing direction but also had less feel of what the tires were doing. On the old bike I had more feedback of where the grip limit was. Could just be the tires or the suspension tho too.
Who was the first to build the frame where the engine was suspended from the frame instead of placed into the frame? I know the black shadow the engine was suspended from the frame not set into the frame like many of its contemporaries.
A brilliant "education" about something I knew embarrassingly little. So well presented too. Bravo and thank you very much.
I always thought that the old chassis turned out to be too flexible for modern engines. Turned out the game is all about how forkhead and swaybar exert forces on specific points of chassis and hence the entire wobbling.
The ease with which he tells the story and clarity of it as an eyewitness himself is incredible!
Sometimes those who know history of industrial design evolution, can teach and explain way better than a professor in Uni. I mean analysing the forces with software and equations are important, but it cimes AFTER you meet thise who know the real evolution history and reasons for it.
Well done guys
Educational and entertaining, y'all should do more with this guy, he's cool.
I could listen to him all day! Please next topic!
He has a longer, more work depths series..... Great learning!
Kevin Cameron: the Human Motorcycle Encyclopedia! Decades of knowledge to give if you will listen... Keep it up, Cycle World; more KC!
I am from Brazil. I feel blessed watching this amazing video. Mr. Cameron I read your comments and columns since 1981. Please Cycle World bring more videos like this one. Kevin Cameron is one of the best minds of all the world concerning our beloved motorcycles.
I have been a student of Kevin's for decades. Please more of these, he IS Cycleworld to me!
This channel is a rare gem that we accidentally stumble upon!!
Pictures of what Kevin is talking about would be very helpful, as well as visually more engaging. Less repetitive music would help also. Need more of these, Kevin is a tour de force of information!
So this is what Kevin looks like. I love his articles this man is a hell of an engineer. He's pretty good at explaining it in layman's terms, some of his explanations sail over my head. But I do enjoy reading his articles thank you Kevin for all your work. I wish I could have you figure out what is wrong with the carbs on my 82 Yamaha XJ 1100.
More of these videos, please. I can't get enough of Kevin.
KC is the MAN. Anyone that has not should read the Top Dead Center books. Fantastic collection.
Very interesting and clear your explanation! I like the rhythm of your tale and the music behind it. Regards from Argentina!.
I didn't know about the Antonio Kobaš Honda connection. Some things are starting to make sense now. The VF750F Interceptor frame of 1983 was an early (very heavy square section steel tube) fore runner of the modern perimeter frame.
But Antonio Kobaš was building race bikes with perimeter frames of aluminium before that.
I've only just learned that to Pons moved to the Honda factory racing team in 1986
Kevin is great at this video stuff! And the editing was just perfect. You keep making them, I'll keep watching.
Great information but please STOP that noise in the background!
So many videos on UA-cam are f**ked up by unnecessary and intrusive 'music'. FFS STOP IT!!!
Great video, light but very informative.
I'd like to hear something about the famous Seeley frame which had a configuration, on it's upper perimetral section, somewhat similar to the one fond on the Delta Box developed by Yamaha in more recent decades, besides, obviously, the fact that Colin Seeley built his from rounded tubes and the Japanese factory made theirs in aluminum. It seems to me (of course I may be wrong) that by that reason, Seeley filled not only an engeneering gap between two eras but also had a historical relevance showing, in his design, how the forces that act on a motorcycle body could be better neutralized in order to keep the machine stable.
Best regards from Brazil.
Upside down, right side up, you are, so right, interesting video,sir! Thank you...
The best 350cc British motorcycle of the 1960s was the MK3 Seeley frame with the 1959 7R AJS motor. That frame is also good with a Commando motor. The twisting force is due to the frames steering geometry causing the motorcycle to have too much lean. The Japanese tend to develop existing designs - they went down a certain path which is not always applicable. More trail past a certain point, causes oversteer and less lean.
Wow this my 1st video I discovered and watched from this channel and what an amazing Content Creator. Two thumbs up
That is a mother of all EXPLANTIONS ! Thx
I love this series. I say keep it minimal - no need for fancy graphics etc. Maybe a whiteboard or blackboard at most. The music doesn't bother me, but as someone else said, please eliminate the background noise if possible.
Waiting for that ..."topic for another time".i.e. sideways flexibility
Kevin is a legend. Encore! If you like this, there is a whole book just for you: www.amazon.com/Classic-Motorcycle-Race-Engines-Technical/dp/1844259943
Back in the 1970's if one wanted a bike that handled and cornered without twitching, one didn't ride Japanese. Only European bikes handled and could take corners safely.
My old Suzuki GT550B suffers from frame chronic flex. The OEM swinging arm would have one side still going up whilst the other side was going down, causing a slow motion weave at speeds over 70 MPH. I replaced it with a Dresda box section swinging arm. It stopped the weave but didn't improve the evil handling or cornering much. The bike still had the nasty bad handling trait of steering on the throttle and brakes when cornering.
Fork flex under braking was already a problem with the advent on twin leading shoe, double twin leading shoe and quad leading shoe drum brakes, as these can be very grabby and harsh when set up to 100% efficiency.
The Suzuki GT125, GT185 and X7 are notorious for fork flexing (actually visible to the rider) as they all share the same fork leg tubes. The bad handling problems on the X7 were all down to the too thin fork leg tubes.
awesome explanation!
More please!
Good Stuff. Keep er coming
I think some modern sport bikes are too stiff. Just a personal opinion but I rode my old 92 gsxr 750 around summit point 2 years ago then rode a 2018 r6 and the newer Yamaha seemed to have less wiggle changing direction but also had less feel of what the tires were doing. On the old bike I had more feedback of where the grip limit was. Could just be the tires or the suspension tho too.
Lots of good information.
...Little water pipes....like my 46 and 72 Harleys....I love it....!
I agree with everyone, more please!
I wonder, does Mr. Cameron ride? If yes, what does he ride and why..that would make for some excellent learning points..
The master itself
THANKS 4☆ INFOS !!.
Who was the first to build the frame where the engine was suspended from the frame instead of placed into the frame? I know the black shadow the engine was suspended from the frame not set into the frame like many of its contemporaries.
38 - 42ish army Indian
Old guys always have smooth wooden boxes with orange labels in their garage.
I appreciate the knowledge! :)
Always good!
The engine as a stressed member, ie a 1960s honda cb77
Thank You :^)
Kevin Cameron is cool!
Very and a geometry video?
jim Lahey
Stop that junk music , he is not telling fairy tail ,