I don't suppose anyones seen the canadian designed chopper called the phenom? I'll try and get a picture up, but it looks different... not necessarily the coolest, but one of the most interesting.
http://totalmotorcycle.com/BBS/album_sh ... ic_id=2790
poorly taken picture using my digicam off the magazine article from Canadian Biker June 2005 pg 34. I couldn't use the flash because of the gloss on the page.
V-twin that has 800 hours of autocad drawing and 2800 man hours of fab time. 103ci Sreaming Eagle EFI motor fed by triple ram air scoops housed in the nose, twin angel-eye lights are mounted under the body work just behind the front cylinder. 110hp engine.
there are No wires, cables, pulleys, leverls (except footbrake) chains belt or even conventional exhaust. The front cylinder exhaust for example is a manifold disguised as a billet cylinder fin.
Energy is transfered to the back wheel via a variable belt transmission that feeds a final drive wheel which in turn spins the 360 rear section HUBLESS tire. Each tire is fitted planetary style to bearing sets fixed rigidly to the body protrusions.
Basically there are 3 sets of ballbearings that are fixed to the fenders evenly spaced that press out against the inside of the wheel.
It takes a lot more energy to turn the wheels obviously, but it does offer an immense power transfer advantage.
Tranny works off of 2 variable sized wheels that will automatically change in order to provide the BEST possible gearing for any situation. Ford has these in some trucks. There are literally millions of different gears on this bike all automatically adjusted. No clutch or gearshift levers required.
Drive by wire throttle, for no cables.
Linked brake system with 4 radial-mount calipers for each wheel.
Gull wing panels cover the rest of the engine and allow easy access to the internals.
Cost about 1/2 million to make (Canadian)