jaredc7
Get busy living.
Brent said:Jared, with a degree in mechanical engineering I would have thought that the bikes ability to function safely, properly and better then stock would have been your goals. I don't see anything in your thread regarding the bikes geometry and I, like xb33bsa, have real doubts as to whether your mono shock/framing systems are safe. I just don't see the point in putting time and money into something that isn't usable in real world application, but it's not my bike or thread so I'll bow out.
Agreed Brent, thanks for the post. Safety was certainly one of my concerns and goals with this project. Admittedly not an easy or direct solution! I spent about 4 months researching suspension and frame dynamics (resources below) and the final revision of the rear suspension geometry is posted on page 2, from February 2014. Did you look through the whole thread? Here is another picture from my time doing all the research. The supporting calculations I had was enough to fill a file folder, so haven't posted any of that. It's can be nauseating for most people.
I have my safety concerns as well, mentioned above in my reply to XB33bsa. I did have a few other PE (professional) engineers review my designs in detail before executing anything. The main points of focus were the rear shock top mount (size of steel plate, thickness, location along curvature of frame, location width-wise across frame, punching forces into frame, size and length of welds, etc.), and the tubes for the swingarm outboard supports (size of steel tubing, wall thickness, etc.). My friend who has helped me problem solve and build much the bike is a mechanical & structural engineer who designs components for rockets that lauch satellites for Lockheed Martin, Ball Aerospace, etc.
I hope that answers your question(s). Feel free to post any other thoughts on here, I appreciate the discussion!
Suspension design resources:
Race Tech's Motorcycle Suspension Bible
http://www.sportrider.com/more-fun-geometry#ixzz2rvUGrpEB
http://blog.rectorsquid.com/linkage-mechanism-designer-and-simulator/
http://www.carbibles.com/suspension_bible_bikes.html