V-4 Propelled Vehicle Uses Tilting Front End for Stability at High Speed
Marysville, Washington (Free Press Release) August 24, 2012 – Tilting Motor Works, Inc. announced today that its founder and CEO, Bob Mighell, will attempt the land speed record for 3-wheeled motorcycles at Bonneville Salt Flats in Wendover, Utah on August 26. Mighell will ride a modified Yamaha V-Max 1197cc motorcycle equipped with a V-4 engine and a proprietary Tilting Motor Works (TMW) front end.
Mighell will make the record attempt in conjunction with the annual BUB Motorcycle Speed Trials operated by BUB Racing, Inc. of Grass Valley, California and sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme based in Mies, France and its U.S. affiliate the American Motorcyclist Association.
A trained mechanical engineer and lifelong performance enthusiast, Mighell is the inventor of an aftermarket “reverse trike” motorcycle conversion distributed by TMW that replaces the front forks and the front wheel with two wheels in the front. The wheels are connected in a patented leaning linkage that preserves the handling of the original motorcycle. While many motorcyclists convert to trikes eventually, the rigid designs of existing solutions are known to compromise handling and performance.
“It dawned on me that our design has so many advantages in stability, traction and braking without adding a lot of extra weight that I could go much faster than any other trike,” said Mighell as he loaded his SUV for the trip to Utah. “It’s amazing how preparing for the record run has helped us fine-tune the geometry for everyday riding. Instead of compromising the handling, the TMW front end stabilizes the ride even at high speeds.”
Mighell’s collaborators and sponsors in staging the record attempt include UFO Performance Products of North Royalton, Ohio; Smokey Point Cycle Barn of Marysville, Washington; and Aurora Bearing Company of Aurora, Illinois.
The current land speed record in the “cyclecar” classification is 121.649 mph over one mile with a flying start, set at Bonneville by racer Bill Chambers on a rear trike in 2011. Salt conditions are expected to be good.
About Tilting Motor Works (https://www.tiltingmotorworks.com)
Tilting Motor Works offers a patented leaning trike conversion kit for motorcycles that improves stability, traction and braking while preserving the handling of the bike. A TMW retrofit can improve the confidence and security of new riders and people of smaller stature without compromising the essential experience and freedom of a 2-wheeler. It can also help veteran cyclists extend their riding careers.
About BUB Racing, Inc. (https://bubracing.com)
BUB Enterprises began in 1976 with founder Denis “BUB” Manning’s desire to build superior motorcycle exhaust systems. Having many years of experience with the Triumph and other European brands, Denis’s exhaust systems soon gained the respect of the Triumph community as “the best pipe out there”. Operating from BUB Enterprises’ state of the art manufacturing facility in the Sierra foothills, BUB Racing Inc. organizes the BUB Motorcycle Speed Trials at the Bonneville Salt Flats.
About the FIM (https://www.fim-moto.com/en/)
The Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM), founded in 1904, is the governing body for motorcycle sport and a global advocate for motorcycling. The FIM is an independent association formed by 107 National Federations throughout the world. It is recognised as the sole competent authority in motorcycle sport by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Its 50 World Championships include MotoGP, Superbike, Endurance, Motocross, Supercross, Trial, Enduro, Cross-Country Rally and Speedway events. The FIM is also active in public affairs, road safety, touring, and protection of the environment.
UFO Performance Products: https://planetvmax.com
Smokey Point Cycle Barn: https://www.smokeypointcyclebarn.com/
Aurora Bearing: https://aurorabearing.com/
For further information or to arrange an interview with Bob Mighell, please call Tilting Motor Works at 360//302//3008 or send email to news@tiltingmotorworks.com.
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