HowStuffWorks "How Motorcycles Work"
[http://www.howstuffworks.com/] SUBSCRIBE Adventure Animals Auto Culture Entertainment Health Home & Garden Lifestyle Money Science Tech Video Shows Quizzes Auto Basics Tech and Transport Auto Parts & Systems Auto Racing Buying & Selling Car Models Driving & Safety Fuel Efficiency Motorcycles Trucks Under the Hood Home / Auto / Motorcycles / About Motorcycles How Motorcycles Work by William Harris Page 1 Introduction to How Motorcycles Work 2 Motorcycle Engine 3 Motorcycle Transmission 4 Motorcycle Chassis Image Gallery: Motorcycles Photo courtesy Dee Kull, MorgueFile Motorcycles are an increasingly popular form of transportation. See more motorcycle pictures . Since 1998, the number of motorcycles in the United States has increased by 34 percent [ ref ]. Why the sudden spike in popularity? Unlike cars, motorcycles allow riders to connect intimately with the driving experience. But it's not just about adventure and freedom. With gas prices soaring, motorcycles, which can achieve fuel economies as high as 85 miles per gallon, provide an attractive alternative to gas-guzzling cars. In this article, we'll learn how the modern motorcycle operates, how motorcycle design has evolved over the years and how motorcycles might change in the near future. Next Up Motorcycle Quiz How Vespas Work Discovery.com: Will Motorcycles Run on Air? Motorcycle Basics Motorcycles are motorized vehicles for transporting one or two riders. Generally, a motorcycle has only two wheels, but any vehicle with fewer than four wheels in contact with the ground can be classified as a motorcycle. Three-wheel variations of the motorcycle include the "hack" (motorcycle plus sidecar) and the "trike" (short for motortricycle). Photo courtesy Kenn Kiser, Pixel Perfect Digital 2001 Honda Gold Wing GL 1800 with Monarch trike conversion The layout of the modern motorcycle was established by 1914 and has remained fundamentally unchanged ever since. The overall structure and function of a motorcycle is quite simple. It includes a gasoline engine, which converts the reciprocating motion of pistons into rotary motion, just like the engine in a car. A transmission system transmits this motion to the back wheel. As the back wheel turns, it propels the motorcycle forward. Steering is accomplished by turning the front wheel via the handlebars and by leaning the bike to one side or the other. Two hand levers enable the rider to operate the clutch and the front brake, while two foot pedals enable him to change gears and control the rear brake. Next, we'll take a close look at a motorcycle engine. Print Cite This! Close Please copy/paste the following text to properly cite this HowStuffWorks article: Harris, William. "How Motorcycles Work" 18 November 2005. HowStuffWorks.com.
27 August 2014. Citation & Date Feedback Page 1 Introduction to How Motorcycles Work 2 Motorcycle Engine 3 Motorcycle Transmission 4 Motorcycle Chassis 5 Driving a Motorcycle 6 Motorcycle Types 7 Motorcycle History 8 Motorcycle Future More To Explore More Great Links Top 10 Green Driving Tips 5 Scariest Stunt Car Feats The Ultimate CarStuff Fan Quiz 5 Warning Signs You Need New Tires 10 Most Expensive Classic Cars Watch American Chopper videos >> You Might Also Like Tony: A Chopper Profile Tony is named for its owner Tony Morrow, who gave Midwest Choppers free reign in its design. Built in 2003 Tony runs on a 113-cubic-inch El Bruto engine. Learn more about this high-performance custom chopper. 2002 Harley-Davidson FXSTB Night Train The 2002 Harley-Davidson FXSTB Night Train does not look much different from the model introduced in 1999. The original Night Train was a study in basic black. Learn how the 2002 FXSTB Night Train motorcycle remains true to its sinister origins. Popular Articles American Chopper: Staph Meeting American Chopper: Senior On OCC's Settlement DropSeat 280: A Chopper Profile Most Popular Most Watched Most Popular Top 5 Reasons Your Car Is Vibrating How Stirling Engines Work 5 Signs That You Need Your Brakes Checked Car Smarts: Camshafts Auto Puzzles: Charging an Electric Car Most Watched Understanding Cars Auto Parts & Systems Deconstructed Wrecks to Riches: Rebuilding Classic Cars Car Accident Videos Bikes, Hacks, Trikes and Choppers Don't Miss Stuff You Should Know: Demystifying Your World Stuff Mom Never Told You: All Things Women and Gender Stuff You Missed in History Class: Fact or Fiction? CHECK OUT OUR PODCASTS HOWSTUFFWORKS NEWSLETTER THE LATEST AND GREATEST SUBSCRIBE HOWSTUFFWORKS Adventure Animals Auto Culture Entertainment Health Home & Garden Lifestyle Money Science Tech MORE STUFF Blogs HSW Tools RSS Maps Podcasts Quizzes Newsletters Video HSW Brazil HSW China STUFF WEBSITES BrainStuff CarStuff Fw:Thinking Stuff Mom Never Told You Stuff of Genius Stuff They Don't Want You to Know Stuff to Blow Your Mind Stuff You Missed in History Class Stuff You Should Know CUSTOMER SERVICE Advertising Contact Us Help CORPORATE About Us Careers @ HSW Privacy Policy Visitor Agreement TAKE US WITH YOU FOLLOW US Copyright © 1998-2014 HowStuffWorks, a division of InfoSpace LLC