Cam chain tensioners

[Randy Grein]

Weird. But maybe they are cutting the battery weight to minimum, or  
perhaps they're looking at it like engineers instead of physicists. I  
read last year that MotoGP riders (and, presumably World Superbike as  
well) use full throttle 2-3% of each lap. All other times presumably a  
bit of excess engine power could be converted to electricity for use  
later; during peak power demands it makes sense to block noncritical  
conversion. Formula I is experimenting with something similar with a  
hybrid car option. However maximum storage and power conversion are  
limited so I suspect it won't be widely used - yet. I'm not fully up  
on car racing but if they limit fuel capacity like they do on bikes  
the milage savings may well justify the extra weight and complexity.

Some interesting things are happening with capacitive energy storage  
that MAY affect bikes making a practical hybrid possible - it may make  
a full performance electric possible. Wouldn't that be a hoot -  
listening for that electric buzz sound of power not quite audible over  
the slap of tire to tarmac. Would posers add electronic throbbing V- 
twin power sound to their rides?

Randy Grein, WMRRA #41

On May 17, 2009, at 7:52 PM, Steve Robertson wrote:

> I was reading somewhere that a HRC race alternator does the opposite,
> not producing much below 6K.
>
>> Final bit about this is that a really clever racer might configure  
>> the  alternator so that it stopped producing power during full  
>> throttle  application. Even with an SV much of the circuit is run  
>> under part- throttle operation. Cutting the alternator to run off  
>> the battery  (temporary total loss) might give the best of both  
>> worlds for  endurance racing - during the daytime anyway. (grin)
>