Thursday, May 19, 2022

Moto Guzzi wind tunnel testing


Realizing that aerodynamics were as important for motorcycles as for aircraft, Moto Guzzi designed and built one for their own use at the factory in the early 1950s. The factory riders were encouraged to use it to perfect their seating position; with gauges placed in front of them so they could see the differences as they raised their head or moved an arm or leg. 

Below, Fergus Anderson demonstrates how efficiently he could tuck into a 500 V twin. On the 250 (bottom) he shows how he could reduce frontal area by raising his legs while in a full tuck. When he used this position in a race, the officials had a fit, convinced he couldn't possibly have full control of the bike. They immediately specified that the footpegs had to be situated below axle height and that riders feet had remain on the pegs at all times. I wonder what they would have made of Valentino Rossi's dangling leg on corner entry antics.
 


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