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Senior Design... I need ideas!

bmccrary

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Ok so I will be starting my senior year here at UNCC this fall. :rockon:

Each year we have some sort of design class where the goals change and the amount of work and engineering required for the project goes up. Senior design takes up two semesters as opposed to one semester that the previous design classes took.

For more information on my previous projects, and to get an idea of what I have done in the past please check my webpage.

Joseph B. McCrary

So for senior design I need to come with an idea that I really like that justifies spending an entire year working on and dealing with, lol. Within the first couple weeks after classes start in August I have to have a proposal submitted and have a faculty member’s support. Since this is a major project and from what I hear, most employers look to see what your senior project was, I want to make it a good one.

Since motorcycles have been and continue to be a major part of my life, I want to do something involving motorcycles. Offroad or Street.

I have to come up with a design, produce and 3D computer model and make a prototype in addition to the paperwork and B.S. that goes along with any project.

So here is where you come in! Help me come up with an idea for a project. A few pointers though.

-I do not want to do anything to the FZ so that it is down for the year. I want to keep riding it! So if the project requires me to tear the bike apart do make it work... I would rather not.

-I would like to do something original, more than simply remaking something that is out there and bolting it up. If it is improving something that is currently available; maybe, it will depend on the situation.

-I would like it to be something that if produced would be in demand or could be used by someone other than myself.

To give you an idea as to where my head is....

One idea I had, which is probably already being fixed by Kawi’ is to redesign the swing arm and the rear end of the 09' Kawasaki's. They currently have a problem with the rubber chain guard on top of the swing arm. With the current design the bend in swing arm causes the chain to wear the guard quickly, so much that it does not make it through a 3 hour GNCC before the rubber is too thin and begins contacting the metal. With this redesign I through around the idea of coming designing it so that the rear end becomes linkage-less, similar to the KTM's, Cannondale’s/ATK's and Huskavarna's.

So is there something you would like to see on the FZ or any bike for that matter that would be of some use to the public in general?

Lay it on me!

All comments are appreciated it. I have the entire summer to come up with something. Thanks for your help!

-bryan
 
Been wracking my brain, I will put it in the roll around for ideas file and get back to you.

Single sided swingarm kit for a popular bike like the R6, or GSXR600.

Shorty header kit with integral muffler and under engine turnout, with a rear undertail exhaust eliminator kit fitting in additional brake lights and replacing turn signals.
 
Aftermarket ABS system

A swing arm system that allows for adjustable length "on the fly"

A manual to automatic transmission conversion

I was going to suggest a device to measure lean angle so you could set it to different angles and receive an audio tone before scraping peg, sidebag, muffler etc. but in searching to see if something existed someone suggested installing bottle rockets so if you leaned it to far the sparks would ignite them giving you a visual indication.
 
It would be cool to be able to switch from an upright riding position like the fizzer to a more aggressive position like the R6. Think Transformers or Batman!

-OhOhOh..even cooler would to be able to do it on the fly! Yes, that rocks!
 
Fred, I like where head is at on the adjustable windscreen. Not a bad idea at all.

Thanks for the suggestions guys, they are all being noted and I greatly appreciate it. Keep them coming!

-bryan
 
In the Buell 1125R lane:

1) A complete exhaust system

2) A radiator redesign kit

3) A chain drive swing arm kit
 
Been wracking my brain, I will put it in the roll around for ideas file and get back to you.

Single sided swingarm kit for a popular bike like the R6, or GSXR600.

Shorty header kit with integral muffler and under engine turnout, with a rear undertail exhaust eliminator kit fitting in additional brake lights and replacing turn signals.

i would pay money for a single sided swing arm on any bike i own (right now just the fz6...but if i owned others id want it for those too!!)
 
Integrated "convertible" seat cowl, - some sort of automated design, so that you only had to push a button slide it on or off. Like you get on convertible roofs in cars.
The cowl would have to somehow fold itself under the seat or rear end.
 
What? I thought the belt design was perfect and never failed? I am confused...

LOL.

If you would like to donate a 1125R for research I would be happy do so. :D

-bryan

I really like the belt for the street but there is a demand for racers to have a reasonably priced chain kit.
 
So yesterday I read this post again while watching the news...
Blah Blah new health and mental hygiene guy blah blah

Got me thinking... So the ergonomics on the bike are pretty good considering the versatility... However, as someone who evaluates people for assistive devices we find that sometimes the most versatile equipment never reaches its potential in specific areas...

While faster, stronger, prettier are where we usually go...
How would you feel about improving the overall ergonomics of this bike and possibly something that could translate to other bikes...

Heres my reasoning...
1. You have a reverse blueprint, we know how the human body works, the spine has specific curves, the arms and shoulder girdle need to follow a certain rythm To design a complimentary design is almost intuitive
2. It fulfills a need. I don't know the focus in your coursework, but I've found fulfilling societal needs always produces amazing designs (creator of the segway, insulin pump, 6' wheelchair)
3. Evidence based, ergonomics is a huge topic of discussion right now and with greener society and more people looking for uncaged transport, the opportunity to make intrasafety (safety mechanisms that protect you from yourself) equipment is about to explode. Repetitive stress injuries are already inherent to motorcycle riding.

So sorry to dork out on this, but I've been thinking of all the ways to make a (FZ6) bike more ergonomically efficient.

Some things...
-Ability to switch foot positions mid-ride
-some kind of pneumatic seating to protect the spine and manparts
-Some kind of upper body support
-Helmet design for noise reduction and increased safety
-wrist neutral handlebars (having your thumbs pointing straight up puts less stress on your wrists :read carpal tunnel problems)

Again sorry to dork out... just some thoughts... if you are interested I have tons of anatomy stuff
 
- Design an E85 conversion to the fuel system...analysis/redesign of components for alcohol-tolerance, selectable fuel map via PCV or custom logic/code and the stock ECU that meets US/CA emissions.

- Design a High-flow catalytic converter and headers that meet stock emissions specs yet with greater performance.

- Design/adapt a knock sensor(s) and individual cylinder spark adaptive control vs fixed maps tuned to "worst-cylinder worst fuel" that we (and most/all bikes) have now. Use a knock sensor, piggyback ignition controller, and/or custom code to correlate crank/cam position with knock resulting from a specific cylinder.

- Design a linked brake system suitable for retrofit to any bike.

- ABS system suitable for retrofit to any bike.

- automated throttle body sync mechanism consisting of a pressure transducer per cylinder and a uC-controlled air-screw mechanism (stepper motor or something) to perform the adjustment...sets cylinders to match, and also to desired vac reading at idle, provides CEL indicator if spec cannot be reached, indicating valve adjustment is required. This could be integrated on the bike or designed as a shop tool/DIY tool.

- Variable CAM phasing system to improve low-end TQ.
 
Last edited:
So yesterday I read this post again while watching the news...
Blah Blah new health and mental hygiene guy blah blah

Got me thinking... So the ergonomics on the bike are pretty good considering the versatility... However, as someone who evaluates people for assistive devices we find that sometimes the most versatile equipment never reaches its potential in specific areas...

While faster, stronger, prettier are where we usually go...
How would you feel about improving the overall ergonomics of this bike and possibly something that could translate to other bikes...

Heres my reasoning...
1. You have a reverse blueprint, we know how the human body works, the spine has specific curves, the arms and shoulder girdle need to follow a certain rythm To design a complimentary design is almost intuitive
2. It fulfills a need. I don't know the focus in your coursework, but I've found fulfilling societal needs always produces amazing designs (creator of the segway, insulin pump, 6' wheelchair)
3. Evidence based, ergonomics is a huge topic of discussion right now and with greener society and more people looking for uncaged transport, the opportunity to make intrasafety (safety mechanisms that protect you from yourself) equipment is about to explode. Repetitive stress injuries are already inherent to motorcycle riding.

So sorry to dork out on this, but I've been thinking of all the ways to make a (FZ6) bike more ergonomically efficient.

Some things...
-Ability to switch foot positions mid-ride
-some kind of pneumatic seating to protect the spine and manparts
-Some kind of upper body support
-Helmet design for noise reduction and increased safety
-wrist neutral handlebars (having your thumbs pointing straight up puts less stress on your wrists :read carpal tunnel problems)

Again sorry to dork out... just some thoughts... if you are interested I have tons of anatomy stuff

Good stuff man! There is alot of good information in there and thank you for sharing the ideas. It would take some thought to make something transform position but still remain strong, but worth some thinking! Thanks!

-bryan
 
- Design an E85 conversion to the fuel system...analysis/redesign of components for alcohol-tolerance, selectable fuel map via PCV or custom logic/code and the stock ECU that meets US/CA emissions.

- Design a High-flow catalytic converter and headers that meet stock emissions specs yet with greater performance.

- Design/adapt a knock sensor(s) and individual cylinder spark adaptive control vs fixed maps tuned to "worst-cylinder worst fuel" that we (and most/all bikes) have now. Use a knock sensor, piggyback ignition controller, and/or custom code to correlate crank/cam position with knock resulting from a specific cylinder.

- Design a linked brake system suitable for retrofit to any bike.

- ABS system suitable for retrofit to any bike.

- automated throttle body sync mechanism consisting of a pressure transducer per cylinder and a uC-controlled air-screw mechanism (stepper motor or something) to perform the adjustment...sets cylinders to match, and also to desired vac reading at idle, provides CEL indicator if spec cannot be reached, indicating valve adjustment is required. This could be integrated on the bike or designed as a shop tool/DIY tool.

- Variable CAM phasing system to improve low-end TQ.

It would be neat to incorperate the R6 ECU and harness on the FZ6. However that would require an extra bike and harness stuff.

Thanks for your suggestions. You all have successfully got me thinking and the gears turning. Watch for smoke....

-bryan
 
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