Motorcycle ‘blipping’…

[not done it yetParticipant @notdoneityet]

We were all young once. I know that I used to wind up my bike at times. Lots of times. What the youngsters do not comprehend is that when they regularly wind the throttle full bore and blast up the road on their way home from work, they can be heard for some considerable distance. It is easy for plod to site their speed traps at the appropriate time and place, if there are complaints.

[Tim StevensParticipant @timstevens64731]

In the 'good' old days, many motorcycles were not inclined to tick-over reliably even when new. Especially the cheap two-strokes preferred by beginners. And re-starting the engine was a pain, too. The situation was not improved when amatuer tuning took place, often requiring such sophisticated tools as a coal hammer and a mole wrench. Then the beginner went to a race meeting, and noticed that all the racers did not tick-over at all, but kept blipping their throttles as they warmed up etc (as they had too little flywheel and too much valve overlap). So, a habit turned into a culture.

Cheers, Tim

[VicParticipant @vic]

Posted by not done it yet on 04/06/2019 14:09:56:

We were all young once. I know that I used to wind up my bike at times. Lots of times. What the youngsters do not comprehend is that when they regularly wind the throttle full bore and blast up the road on their way home from work, they can be heard for some considerable distance. It is easy for plod to site their speed traps at the appropriate time and place, if there are complaints.

If only that were true. We have bikers blasting up and down a nearby dual carriageway, normally late at night. It’s not nice for the many thousands of households that have to put up with this selfish behaviour. One of them didn’t make it though last year, he didn’t stop in time and hit a road sign at the roundabout. They reckon he was doing well over double the speed limit. The local Police really aren’t interested in the problem judging by their attitude. Hopefully ICE bikes will be banned in the future like cars and these idiots can kill themselves quietly on electric bikes.

[not done it yetParticipant @notdoneityet]

Yes, one wonders why some of these powerful motorcycles are limited to 188mph (300km/h) Even with that sort of gearing they need the traction control electronics to reduce the tyre scrubbing at any legal speeds, in several of their gears, if they are wound up too sharply. Isle of Man TT On now so a good few will be racing round the mountain circuit instead of getting frustrated with ‘normal’ roads, but those that have not managed to go will be trying to emulate their heros.

[ronan walshParticipant @ronanwalsh98054]

Posted by John MC on 04/06/2019 07:48:02:

The new Amal carburettors made by Burlen's are made from decent material and the slides are anodised/plated. Something Amal should have done!

It should be remembered that Amal had to give their customers (the motorcycle manufactures) what they wanted. When BSA wanted carburettor costs reduced Amal needed to react. What we got was the "concentric" replacing the "monobloc". A inferior device but much cheaper to manufacture.

As for "blipping" the throttle, worn carb., incorrectly set, poor maintenance, habit, macho?

John

Yes John, and the british motorcycle industry did exactly the same thing with Lucas. Forever looking for reductions in price and of course that was to reflect on quality. Leading to British Motorcycles becoming a joke in reliability terms.

[ronan walshParticipant @ronanwalsh98054]

Posted by Tim Stevens on 04/06/2019 14:21:40:

In the 'good' old days, many motorcycles were not inclined to tick-over reliably even when new. Especially the cheap two-strokes preferred by beginners. And re-starting the engine was a pain, too. The situation was not improved when amatuer tuning took place, often requiring such sophisticated tools as a coal hammer and a mole wrench. Then the beginner went to a race meeting, and noticed that all the racers did not tick-over at all, but kept blipping their throttles as they warmed up etc (as they had too little flywheel and too much valve overlap). So, a habit turned into a culture.

Cheers, Tim

The infamous BSA goldstars were fitted with carbs that had no provision for a throttle or slide stop, that and the tuned engine, they were never going to tick over. Still wished i had one in the shed though.

[Mike PooleParticipant @mikepoole82104]

Blipping for those who enjoy a bit of throttle blipping.

Mike

[Former MemberParticipant @formermember53456]

[This posting has been removed]

[ronan walshParticipant @ronanwalsh98054]

Posted by Haggerleases on 04/06/2019 17:32:06:

I'd say it was youth and exuberance, but most of the buggers seem to be in the 40 to 60 bracket. Mind you, I'm a joyless sod and reckon all vehicles should be limited to 70, full stop.

I reckon a lot of born again motorcyclists don't cop the fact that modern bikes have multiples of the power of the old stuff. Old bonnevilles, commandos, 60 hp if you were lucky, a bit more for the japanese bikes of the 70's and 80's, but now they are crazy, up to 200 hp in a road bike

[Mike PooleParticipant @mikepoole82104]

Up to 217hp for Ducati Panigale, I think it is only the speedo that stops at 300kph the bikes can exceed that speed.

Mike

[not done it yetParticipant @notdoneityet]

Posted by Mike Poole on 04/06/2019 17:17:47:

Blipping for those who enjoy a bit of throttle blipping.

Mike

Yes, A superbike in those days. They also sent SMB out on virtually the same machine in the 350cc class. They simply increased the stroke to get near 300cc – enough to be tremendously competitive with other marques.

[ronan walshParticipant @ronanwalsh98054]

Posted by Mike Poole on 04/06/2019 18:38:13:

Up to 217hp for Ducati Panigale, I think it is only the speedo that stops at 300kph the bikes can exceed that speed.

Mike

Amazing, in the 50's, 60's the manx nortons and bsa goldstars, were the top of the heap and they made about 50 hp.

[not done it yetParticipant @notdoneityet]

Posted by ronan walsh on 04/06/2019 18:45:00:

Posted by Mike Poole on 04/06/2019 18:38:13:

Up to 217hp for Ducati Panigale, I think it is only the speedo that stops at 300kph the bikes can exceed that speed.

Mike

Amazing, in the 50's, 60's the manx nortons and bsa goldstars, were the top of the heap and they made about 50 hp.

It is the law that they are electronically limited to 188mph. For safety reasons, would you believe?

[not done it yetParticipant @notdoneityet]

Posted by ronan walsh on 04/06/2019 18:45:00:

Posted by Mike Poole on 04/06/2019 18:38:13:

Up to 217hp for Ducati Panigale, I think it is only the speedo that stops at 300kph the bikes can exceed that speed.

Mike

Amazing, in the 50's, 60's the manx nortons and bsa goldstars, were the top of the heap and they made about 50 hp.

It is the law that they are electronically limited to 188mph. For safety reasons, would you believe?

[Former MemberParticipant @formermember53456]

[This posting has been removed]

[Roy GardenParticipant @roygarden83469]

My (standard) Yamaha MT10 has an electronic quick shifter (for clutchless up changes) electronic absolute speed limiting, (max of something I've not seen yet, but starts to kill the power at 155mph, I fly so have access to an airfield, probably 186 mph, which is the basis of the "gentelmans agreement" between the Japanese bike companies, BMW have limits on their cars at 155mph)
Has cruise control, selectable speed limiting, traction control, variable electronic power output limits, the traction control electronically limits "wheelies" (in some modes) the electronics vary the output power available in each gear individually. ABS on both wheels under braking.

And no "Anti Stall" (as fitted to my Ford) so you do have to manually give it a bit when pulling away.

Limiting factor still being the nut between the seat and the handlebars . .

[Howard LewisParticipant @howardlewis46836]

One of the justifications put forward for blipping the throttle on any racing engine, is that the open throttle imposes a load on the engine as it speeds up. This generates heat to hasten warm up.

The downside, that no one seems to mention, is that when the throttle is closed, and the engine is slowing, cooling is taking place, by the fat that the engine is running at high speed off load. In this case,the cylinder contents are being expanded, and adiabatically cooled. (The opposite effect of the hot end to a bicycle pump).

Howard

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