Transmission power routing and speeds

[LakeWylieJoe_imp]

**WARNING** Thread for super-mechanical geeks/nerds only.

I've always been fascinated with how a constant mesh motorcycle transmission works, with the cogs all meshed with their neighbor on the opposite shaft. It looks like it would bind up immediately when you start turning either shaft. The magic is that only half of the cogs on a given shaft are splined and forced to turn with it. The rest free-wheel.

I had too much time on my hands the other day and decided to make a spreadsheet that calculates the rotational velocity (rpms) of every moving part in the CB1100 powertrain, based on engine rpm. You enter engine rpm and the rear wheel diameter and road speeds for each gear is also given. Since the primary reduction ratio is known, each gear ratio is known, and the final drive (sprockets) ratio is known, everything can be calculated. I also diagramed how the power is transmitted through three different cogs for every gear selected.

Anyway, you may download the attached and play with the numbers to your hearts content. The values entered are for a 2014 model, but changing cell values can make the spreadsheet work for any six speed CB1100. I'd be happy to make one for the 5 speed models if somebody wants a copy.
[url=attachment.php?aid=12665]14CB1100Gears.xls (Size: 38 KB / Downloads: 21)

[Jfro5687_imp]

Morning. As long as you enjoyed doing it who cares if it's nerdy? Anyhow. Thinking on your gears meshing, why do we find some noises (e.g. whirrs & whines) very pleasing to the ear and others not?

Having reached a certain age I no longer seek out noisy exhausts (confession 1. I nearly always used to throw on a loud end can as soon as I could) but TBH now that I have reached a certain age I no longer feel like that.

I much prefer a quieter exhaust with a nice tone, and one that I can also hear the engine and transmission doing its thing. When you hit the right speed, in the right gear, at the right RPM's it feels to me like the bike 'sings'. I love that sweet spot.

I even find the click/clack into first gear pleasing and somehow reassuring.

[GoldOxide_imp]

Morning. As long as you enjoyed doing it who cares if it's nerdy? Anyhow. Thinking on your gears meshing, why do we find some noises (e.g. whirrs & whines) very pleasing to the ear and others not?

Having reached a certain age I no longer seek out noisy exhausts (confession 1. I nearly always used to throw on a loud end can as soon as I could) but TBH now that I have reached a certain age I no longer feel like that.

I much prefer a quieter exhaust with a nice tone, and one that I can also hear the engine and transmission doing its thing. When you hit the right speed, in the right gear, at the right RPM's it feels to me like the bike 'sings'. I love that sweet spot.

I even find the click/clack into first gear pleasing and somehow reassuring.

Nothing wrong going along in stealth.

The Yamaha V-Max is incredibly quiet at cruise, but we know it is no slouch.

[dave]

Hello LWJ - cool spread sheet! Thanks for sharing! This is really great, because now I can verify the accuracy of my speedometer! Can I entice you to create another spread sheet that I can use for my 1998 VFR800?

[LakeWylieJoe_imp]

As requested.


[url=attachment.php?aid=12671]98Gears.xls (Size: 36.5 KB / Downloads: 5)

Hello LWJ - cool spread sheet! Thanks for sharing! This is really great, because now I can verify the accuracy of my speedometer! Can I entice you to create another spread sheet that I can use for my 1998 VFR800?

[peterbaron]

Now I know why as a tech I have a constant headache when riding or driving...lots of numbers, calculations and constant meshing....cannot get rid of them, no oil leak tho
Good job LWJoe

[jimgl3_imp]

I get a huge thrill out of up and down shifting without the clutch. Unless I make a mistake, I basically use the clutch for starting and stopping only.