Something Failed, let’s find it! Transmission Analysis.

[Steel]

Wind resistance and aerodynamics aside, keep in mind that red line in 5th gear on a Carpenter Rocket is238 mph. I mostly agree with your post, but I Carpentered mine anyway, and now I want a Turbo. Just because this is America.

Ahhh Merica where excess is still not enough

 

[scot in exile]

Ahhh Merica where excess is still not enough

As you have shown me by the large quantity of food you shovel down your stomach

 

[rocketjohn]

As you have shown me by the large quantity of food you shovel down your stomach

It's the fast food places faults....there is more profit in bigger portions, so they make everything ever bigger.

 

[Claviger]

@Claviger I hate to rain on your parade, but owning the same motor as you I know the best economy cruising is a steady speed of 90 mph (37.5 mpg). If you added the 6th gear (not sure on the fancy math), it would raise the optimum cruising speed to about 110 mph. I sure hope the Germans have extended the Autobahn to pass close to your house.

Indeed, optimal fuel efficiency does come in at quite a big higher speed than previously haha.

 

[1olbull]

I just don't understand this fixation about a sixth gear.
Warpo's monster, the Falcon, never even needed fifth gear!

 

[barbagris]

Wind resistance and aerodynamics aside,

God if we're going to ignore that - then let's forget Oxygen and Hydrocarbons.

 

[barbagris]

I just don't understand this fixation about a sixth gear.
Warpo's monster, the Falcon, never even needed fifth gear!

NEED and WANT are two very different things.
One of the things I believe, is that many perceive some of the vibration and finger-tingle as high revs. I can now say - it is not the revs.

 

[Rocket Scientist]

NEED and WANT are two very different things.
One of the things I believe, is that many perceive some of the vibration and finger-tingle as high revs. I can now say - it is not the revs.

If you read about the early days of Rocket design, focus groups wanted a little vibration left in the engine. If vibration is the issue, maybe someone should be looking at the balance on the engine. May be as simple as drilling a couple holes or adding some weight to the counter balance shaft. I know on the old shovel head Harley's you couldn't get rid of the vibration, but you could have it shifted so the bike shook more front to back, rather than up and down, which is perceived less by the human senses. The Brits knew this. If you've ever seen a Norton idling, the from wheel would shake in a front to back motion. My Honda Valkyrie doesn't vibrate at all, and is geared lower than my Rocket, yet it doesn't seem as "busy" at highway speed.

 

[Tripps]

If you read about the early days of Rocket design, focus groups wanted a little vibration left in the engine. If vibration is the issue, maybe someone should be looking at the balance on the engine. May be as simple as drilling a couple holes or adding some weight to the counter balance shaft. I know on the old shovel head Harley's you couldn't get rid of the vibration, but you could have it shifted so the bike shook more front to back, rather than up and down, which is perceived less by the human senses. The Brits knew this. If you've ever seen a Norton idling, the from wheel would shake in a front to back motion. My Honda Valkyrie doesn't vibrate at all, and is geared lower than my Rocket, yet it doesn't seem as "busy" at highway speed.

Exactly how I'd describe it, the rpms are not that high, but it somehow seems busy

 

[barbagris]

If you've ever seen a Norton idling, the from wheel would shake in a front to back motion.

Mesmerising isn't it! - I seem to remember some old T120s did that - but they also vibrated smaller parts like engine bolts out.