Candid Cameron

Candid Cameron

Q I have some tech questions about top-level racing that I never seem to find the answers for. Sometimes the little stuff just gets overlooked! 1. I never see elite racebikes with rotary steering stabilizers. Why is that? Are they inferior? 2. How often does a MotoGP crew replace the chain and sprockets on a bike? 3. Why is there a wristband around the front-brake reservoir? 4. How long will a MotoGP rider use the same leathers, boots, gloves and helmet if there is no crashing? Do they change often just to keep everything new-looking? 5. Lastly, why aren’t there brakelights or mirrors as are used in F1 auto racing? Norman Dehm Torrance, California

A1.1 think riders are used to the telescopic type with the adjuster on the end, and the suspension supplier also supplies the steering damper. Did you know that the Kawasaki A1-R of 1967-68 had a rotary steering damper?

2. They get new chains at least once a day. The chain will jump on the sprockets (especially the rear) if the teeth are allowed to hook at all (ask me how I know!). Front sprockets are steel, and quite hard and long-lasting.

3. Just as World War II pilots were really pissed off if little drips of oil came out of their Hydromatic props and splatted onto the windscreen where they interfered with vision, so do riders hate the little drips of brake fluid that somehow make their way out of master cylinders and onto the inside of windscreens or the outside of faceshieids unless something absorbent is wrapped around the cap.

4. The sponsor agreements are extremely specific about size and placement of every decal and patch. I don’t know what is said in writing about appearance, but you’ve seen bikes crash, then roil out 20 minutes later looking flawless; so you know there have to be appearance clauses. New fairing, handlebars, screen, every decal in place, footpeg and foot controls replaced-and the rider looks perfect, too. The leathers sponsor makes enough suits to cover at least a bad weekend.

5. Auto drivers’ heads are pretty much in the same place all the time, so mirrors are practical for them. Likewise, stuck down in front of that airbox, they are like pilots of early WWII aircraft that had a tall turtle-back behind the pilot’s head. Later, aircraft like the P-51, P-47 and late Spitfires had the all-around-vision clear canopy. The motorcyclist may be tucked in, sitting up centered or hanging oft to left or right, so the most versatile rear-view system is to turn and look. A lot of riders have used the rear brake as a torque modulator during corner exit, and it is only in the last 20 years that racing motorcycles had any electricity aboard other than for ignition. Brakelights could be easily implemented, but so far no one has seen fit to propose them. -Kevin Cameron