This project is about the stability of a motorcycle with a side car, and a two-wheel bicycle, under various dynamic conditions. For the motorcycle with a side car, conditions were obtained that guarantee directional, lateral, and rollover stability. The self-stability of a bicycle was studied with gyroscopic effects removed. The values of parameters were found that maximize the velocity range for uncontrolled stability. To study the controlled stability of a bicycle, we viewed it as inverted pendulum. The main idea is to operate the handlebar so as to create force identical to the force that appears due to vertical oscillations of a pivot stabilizing an inverted pendulum. As a result, the bicycle can be stabilized for forward velocities above certain limit.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Lurie, Dmitri K.

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-051112-130544

Advisor

• Scarpino, Christopher

Year

• 2012

Date created

• 2012-05-11

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Mechanical Engineering

Rights statement

• In Copyright