Feet Forward Motorcycles

[Farside]

I love FFE motorcycles, fantastic maybe pointless things but still love them
I did try to buy a shagged quasar in Bristol in 1990 but could not track down the owner.
I cant stand reading pages on the computer but thanks for draggin up memories.
View attachment 43551
Daft idea no room for a passenger, still love it though especially the horrifically dated futuristic look.

No problem, the idea is sneaking around and coming in by the back door - courtesy of Yamaha and others. I've seen a sketch of one of these or from another maker, with a roof structure. Gradually getting people used to the idea and before you know it, FF motorcycles will be all over the place, just need a little bit lower, a bit more power and bingo.
Slowly, slowly, catchee monkey (even if it has to be via 'kin scooters).

 

[Wallace]

I think the fear of caning your chuds up against the headstock in an accident would put a lot of people off.

 

[CRB]

I tried reading that but Mediafire times it out after a few minutes. Even though I'm a subscriber/member of mediafire it's turned into a total pain in the bum, that site. Downloading the document is out of the question, as there's no way a 30 page .pdf should be 411MB in size.

Hi-resolution hence the size, but I have not had any issues with it, so did not bother doing it again.
I do not mind doing a low-resolution version if it is causing problems.

I cannot see the size being a problem to download unless your limit is looming.

 

[Farside]

I cannot see the size being a problem to download unless your limit is looming.

It's not looming at the moment, but it's not too far off and
I prefer to keep some up my sleeve for stuff that needs it.
Even in these days of high-bandwidth service, I still keep an eye on the size of things. Easy to get caught out, otherwise.

 

[Wallace]

I remember walking past, but did not take a picture.?How freaky is that?

Not freaky, cool.

 

[Angusdog]

<snip>

The Yamaha was the GTS

Still got the poster

PWHOOOaaarrrr

BMWs Telelever is a rendition of the girder fork, Saxon, Hossack and innumerable others have put similar offerings on the table. Removing the suspension component from steering is the goal which can never be achieved by plain telescopic forks.

<snip>

Oh dear, I can even identify the girl in lingerie (Tracey Neve, I believe).

I believe Hossack still own the patent for double wishbone front suspension on a bike, I guess the Paralever is sufficient different to not incur their wrath.

In terms of hub-centre steering, Bimota still make the Tesi, and then there was the Ner-A-Car:

A lot of these ideas come up again over time, but it very hard to beat forks for a compromise of weight, handling and cost.

No-one remembers the BMW C1:

No helmet required, still didn't take off.

 

[CRB]

I do and when we all went to LegoLand Windsor there was one there too.

I will see if I still have a picture.

 

[Wallace]

I saw one of the twin front wheeled scooters yesterday coming towards me, first glance I thought "pick yer feet ya lazy git" then realised he was doing about 50 overtaking a car!

 

[Farside]

A lot of these ideas come up again over time, but it very hard to beat forks for a compromise of weight, handling and cost.

True, dat. However, I'm getting peed off with fork seals and the ruinous cost of hard chroming, so am seriously thinking of knocking up a leading link fork in the next year or two.

No-one remembers the BMW C1:
View attachment 43698

No helmet required, still didn't take off.

I parked up next to one in London, and had a chat with the owner - suited and booted in his office garb. He loved it.

 

[julianthegypsy]

I see the odd C1 around occasionally too, the owners I've talked to all seem really enthusiastic. I'd want something with a bit more punch though :-)