Tony Foale: Motorcycle Handling and Chassis Design

Tony Foale is considered an expert in the field of building and modifying motorcycle chassis' and this book is one of the reasons why. Motorcycle Handling and Chassis Design is a 500 page successor to the original Tony Foale book - Motorcycle Chassis Design that was published in 1984.

In Foale's words, "It is an attempt to provide the reader with the background knowledge of how and why motorcycles react in the way that they do. An understanding at this level will however, equip the reader to undertake his own design, modifications or setup with greater confidence."

The major topics that the book covers are: motorcycle frame design, various rear end and front end designs (including forkless and wishbone-style designs), aerodynamics, damping techniques, etc. Tony's experiments, which he has been refining over the years, have also been covered in the book in the 'future developments' section along with other detailed contents that also include 2 wheel drive systems and 2 wheel steering systems. The book will allow you to understand the motorcycle you're riding/designing and allow you to accurately predict how each change will affect the handling and dynamics of the motorcycle.

Tony Foale also operates a website with some very interesting articles on the subject. A bunch of software programs for chassis design are also available for download. The book is easily available for purchase from Amazon.

Publisher: Tony Foale, 2006

Contents:

1. Function and History
   • Some basic definitions
   • Function
   • History
   • Front suspension
   • Rear suspension
   • Spring types
   • Load compression
    
2. Tyres
   • Weight support
   • Suspension action
   • Tyre stiffness or spring rate
   • Contact area
   • Area when cornering
   • Friction (grip)
   • Braking & driving
   • Cornering
   • Mechanisms of grip
   • Under- and over-steer
   • Construction
   • Materials
   • Summary
    
3. Geometric considerations
   • Basic motorcycle geometry
   • Trail
   • Rake or castor angle (steering axis inclination)
   • Wheelbase
   • Wheel diameter
   • Other considerations
   • Angular motions
     
     
4. Balance and steering
   • Balance
   • Steering
   • Gyroscopic effects only 
   • Gyroscopic with tyre camber force only
   • Gyroscopic with tyre camber and steer forces
   • Tyre forces only - no gyroscopic effects
   • Body lean only- no steering
   • Conclusions
     
     
5. Aerodynamics
   • Drag
   • Evolution of the racing fairing
   • Internal air flow
   • Lift
   • Airflow evaluation
   • Side wind stability (traditional view)
   • Steady state directional stability
   • Dynamic directional stability
   • Summary
     
     
6. Suspension principles
   • Springs
   • Damping
   •  Sprung and unsprung mass
   • Basic suspension principles
   • Other factors
   • Lateral suspension
   • Summary
     
     
7. Front suspension
   • Head stock mounted forks
   • Alternatives to the head stock mounted fork
   • Hub centre steered
   • Double link
   • McPherson strut based
   • Virtual steering axis
     
     
8. Rear suspension
   • Effective spring rate
   • Chain effects
   • Wheel trajectory
   • Structural
   • Single or dual sided
   • Summary
     
     
9. Squat and dive
• Load transfer
• Squat and dive
• Shaft drive
• Chain drive
• Aerodynamic squat
• Braking reaction (rear)
• Dive (front)
• Dynamic effects
• Summary
  
  
10. Structural considerations
• Fatigue
• Structural efficiency
• Triangulation
• Beam frames
• Triangulated frames
• Tubular backbone
• Structural comparison
• Fabricated backbone
• Monocoque
• Structural engine
• Conventional multi-tubular
• Twin-spar
• Other types
• Summary
  
  
11. Engine mounting
    
    
12. Braking
• The basics
• Effects of CoG height
• Generation of torque
• Hardware
• Discs
• Calipers
• Pads
• Linked brakes
• ABS
  
  
13. Materials and properties
• Typical properties of some common materials
• Frame
• Wheels
• Fuel tank
• Brake discs
• Bodywork
  
  
14. Stability and control
• Under-/over-steer
• High-siding
• Stability under braking
• Instabilities
• Damping
  
  
15. Performance measurement
• Track side
• Laboratory
• Strength analysis
• Measurement and simulation
• Future development
  
  
16. Practical frame building
• Welding
• Distortion
• Gussets
• Jigging
• Tube profiling
• Tube types
• Tube sizes
• Frame finishes
• Design layout
  
  
17. Case study
• Measurement
• Main frame
• Engine mounting
• Results
• Material
• Swing arm
• Forks
• Caution
• Tuning
  
  
18. Future developments
• The status quo
• Future possibilities
• Active suspension
• Rheological fluids
• Two wheel drive (2WD)
• Two wheel steering (2WS)
• Feet-forward motorcycles (FF)
  
  
19. Appendices
1. Experiments with rake and trail
• Rake
• Trail
• Conclusions
• Post script
  
2. Glossary of terms
3. Units conversion
4. Gyroscopic effects
5. Basic physics of motorcycles
• Basic trigonometry
• Units of angle
• Velocity
• Acceleration
• Mass
• Momentum
• Newton's laws
• Force and weight
• Moments, couples and torque
• Centripetal & centrifugal force
• Addition and resolution of velocities and forces
• Work, energy and power
• Nomenclature and sign conventions
• Normalization
  
6. Analysis of mechanisms
7. CoG and mass distribution of rider
8. Typical data

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Keith J. Wakeham: Introduction To Chassis Design

The book 'Introduction to Chassis Design' by Keith J. Wakeham is intended to give a better understanding of the fundamental requirements of a chassis along with information on how to start and optimize a design. It is intended for undergraduate and graduate engineering students who are interested in automotive vehicle engineering. While the book makes usage of FEA software, the principles of how things work and the recognition of problem areas will not need software. However it will need a good understanding of statics, dynamics, stress, strain, mechanics of solids, axial forces, shear forces, bending, torsion, angular and normal deflections, and mass moment of inertia.

The technical nature of the book makes it extremely detail oriented in every aspect. It covers a lot of areas including Impact protection, Suspension, Carbon Tubs, Monocoques, Spaceframe chassis, etc.

The book is available for download at Keith's website (keithwakeham.com). Click here to download it.

Contents:

1. Introduction
1. Theory
1. Understanding
1. Introduction
1. Key Points
2. Time Constraints
3. Suspension
1. Key Points
4. Protection
5. Aerodynamic influence
6. Tube Theory in practice
2. Suspension
1. Introduction to Suspension
2. Short Long Arm
3. Computer String Calculator
3. Impact protection
1. Introduction
2. Sancationed Rules
3. Impact Simulations
4. Formula One Testing
5. Lemans Testing
6. Recommended Tests
7. Static Tests
8. Formula One Testing
9. Lemans Testing
10. Recommended Tests
2. Design Reference
1. Project Description
1. Describe your project
2. Specifications
2. Ladder Frame
1. Introduction to Ladder Frame Design
2. Ladder Frame torsional ridgitity
3. X bracing
4. Evolution
3. Space Frame
1. Introduction to Space Frame Design
2. Audi Aluminum Space Frame
3. Skinned Space Frame
4. “Backbone”
1. Introduction to Backbone
2. Hybird Backbone Spaceframe
5. “Tub”
1. Introduction to “Tub” Design
6. Monocoque
1. Introduction to General Monocoque Design
2. Wall buckling
3. Angular Monocoque
4. Carbon Fiber Monocoque
1. Orthotropic Elasticity
3. Design Walkthrough
1. Design Process overview
1. Design Steps
2. Two Seat Sports car “Tub” Frame
1. “Tub” Introduction: K1
2. Ideas
3. Mark I
4. Mark II and Mark III
5. Mark IV and Mark V
6. Mark VI and Mark VII
7. Mark VIII
8. Mark IX
9. Mark X
10. Mark XI - Final
11. K1
12. Final Words
3. Lemans Style Angular Monocoque
1. Angular Monocoque Introduction: FM2
2. Project Description
3. Testing Setup
4. Mark I
5. Mark II
6. Mark III
7. Mark IV
8. Mark V
9. Mark VI - Final
10. Mark VI - Convergence
2. Afterword

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Michael Costin, David Phipps: Racing and Sports Car Chassis Design

The aim of Michael Costin and David Phipps' Racing and Sports Car Chassis Design is to provide information on the more advanced type of chassis and suspension in a form which will be understood by the large majority of motoring enthusiasts. Technical terms and formulae have been kept to a minimum, but those which are considered essential for the more serious student of design are contained in appendices at the end of the text.

The book is published with the hope of doing something to promote better understanding of the finer points of design and help would be chassis builders to avoid some of the more obvious pitfalls which await them. It cannot be too strongly emphasized that the basic requirements for success in this sphere, as in many others, are awareness of all the difficulties involved and ability to integrate innumerable conflicting elements into a balanced design.

Publisher: Bentley Pub.

Contents:

1. Preface
2. Acknowledgement
3. List of Illustrations
4. Chapter:
1. The Purpose of the Chassis:
   Chassis History – Suspension History
   
2. The Main Types of Chassis
   Twin Tube or Ladder Frame Chassis – Multi-tubular Chassis – Space Frames – Unitary Construction
   
3. Materials
   Welding – Brazing
   
4. The Principles of a True Space Frame
   
5. Analysis – Space Frames and Unitary Construction Chassis
   The Lotus Mark 8 – The Space Frame Lister Jaguar – Mercedes Benz 300SL – Lola Sports – 1960 Formula One Lotus – 1961 Formula Junior Lotus – Lotus Nineteen – 1960 Formula Junior Lola – 1959 Formula Junior Elva – The C-type Jaguar – The D-type Jaguar – The Lotus Elite – The Lotus 25
   
6. Analysis – Multi-Tubular and Other Chassis
   The Formula One Cooper – Cooper Monaco – The rear-engined Formula One Ferrari – The 1958 Lister-Jaguar – The Maserati Type 60/61
   
7. Suspension Principles
   What is Roadholding? – Weight – Weight Distribution – Centre of Gravity – Weight Transfer – Sprung and Unsprung Weight – Roll Centres – Suspension Frequency – Tyres – Wheel Stiffness – Rim Width – Anti-Roll bars – Springs – Wheelbase and Track – Handling – Adjustable Suspension – Braking
   
8.  Suspension Practice and Types
   Trailing Link – Wishbones – Strut-Type Suspension – Swing Axle – Sliding Pillar – Live Axle – De Dion – Tyre Pressures
   
9. Designing a Motor Car
   Front Suspension – Rear Suspension – Mounting rackets – General – Methods of Mounting Suspension – Engine Mountings – Steering Gear Mountings – Body Mountings – Exhaust Pipe Mountings – Engines and Transmissions – Brakes – Radiators – Oil Coolers – Electrical Wiring – Seats – Controls – Luggage
5. Appendices
1. Chassis Stress Calculations
2. Materials
3. Suspension Calculations
6. Glossary
7. Index

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A. Graham Bell: Two Stroke Performance Tuning

The author viewed 2 stroke engines with contempt until he was persuaded by two of his friends to prepare a 250cc Bultaco motorcycle for National Motocross Championship which ended up finishing 3rd with a B grade rider on board. Here's what Graham Bell says:

"From then on the challenge has not abated as I have strived to unravel the mystery of what makes a two-stroke tick. Instead of looking on the two-stroke with contempt, I now view this little marvel with fascination. Four-stroke engine development has just about reached its peak, but there is much yet to be learned about the two-stroke power unit."

Two Stroke Performance Tuning is a very thorough book aimed at understanding and tuning two stroke engines for maximum power and reliability.

Publisher: Haynes Publishing

Contents:

1. Introduction
2. The cylinder head
3. Porting and cylinder scavenging
4. The exhaust
5. Carburation
6. Ignition
7. The bottom end
8. Lubrication and cooling
9. Power measurement and gearing
10. Appendix I:
    a. Introduction
    

    b. Motocross modifications

    c. Enduro modifications

    d. Road race modifications
11. Appendix II - Table of useful equivalents
12. Appendix III -Speciality suppliers

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A. Graham Bell: Four Stroke Performance Tuning

A very detailed book on engine tuning for greater performance. The author, A. Graham Bell, credited with writing some of the best engine tuning books, explains what each modification does and why, along with dynamometer readings for proof. This almost 400 page book should serve as the foundation for people looking to get the most out of their engines themselves. As of this date, this book is currently in its 4th edition.

Publisher: Haynes Publishing

Contents:

1. An Introduction to Four-Stroke Engine Tuning Principles.
2. The Air Inlet System
3. The Cylinder Head
4. Carburation
5. Electronic Fuel Injection
6. Fuel and Fuel Boosters
7. Combustion and the Ignition System
8. The Engine Management System
9. The Exhaust System
10. Camshaft and Valve Train
11. The Bottom End
12. Lubrication
13. Cooling
14. Power Measurement and Tuning

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Gordon Jennings: Two Stroke Tuner's Handbook

Probably the best book you can get on 2 stroke tuning. Gordon Jennings goes into great details about Port 'Time-Areas' and porting your engine according to your power requirements. The book isn't available new anymore but used ones are available online. A Pdf copy of the book can easily be downloaded here.

Publisher: HP Books

Contents:

1. Fundamentals
2. The Crank Train
3. Cylinder heads
4. Expansion Chambers
5. Cylinder Scavenging
6. Port Timing
7. Crankcase Pumping
8. Carburetion and Ignition 

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