fully functional high performance recumbent motorcycle inspired by Kaneda's ride in "Akira"
Update 17
Just as in the film, the front cowling will rise up, once it rises, it will lock in that position allowing the operator to easily pull themselves up and out of the bike. With the flick of a switch, it will lower back down. This turned out to be a really great idea, making getting in and out of the bike quick and easy. Two small arms swing down from just under the rider to keep the bike upright when the vehicle has stopped.
Nearly every bolt and panel is laid out in this finalized version of the bike. Once the prototype is tested and modifications made, those changes will be integrated into this design. Some aspects, such as the interaction with the front cowling and the front wheel hubs, are not finalized, but these renderings give you a very accurate representation of what a street legal version of this bike will look like. Meets all US federal requirements.
The blue rectangle is where a license plate would mount. The brake lights and blinkers on the upper rear cowling didn't come out in the rendering for some reason, but they are there. I'm not happy with the dash design, but I just whipped something out as a space holder.
I like the way the heads of the V-Twin just barely show, reminding of the power beneath. Just in front of the heads is a NACA inspired airscoop to help provide cooling air to the engine. The pronounced slope of the front cowling sides and the cowling protrusions just below the engine heads will help to produce a downforce at speed
A straight on view, which shows the low speed stand deployed. I added two small running lights to the lower part of the front wheel cowling, along with the headlights this would create a distinct triangular lighting pattern. The yellow reflectors are required by USDOT regulations.
A nice overhead 3/4 view.
Rendered with some perspective and radiosity
Since there are no high powered dual ceramic drive motors, and I want this to be a high performance functional motorcycle, there is a 120" cubic inch V-Twin motor integrated. With the massive rear single sided swingarm, I opted (after exploring numerous designs) to route the exhaust to the other side, along with the air intake. This balances the weight of the bike but also the aesthetic symmetry.
The view accentuates the long slender nature of the this vehicle, and, I think, emphasis the potential.
Here the cowlings are removed, and you can see the long massive single sided rear swingarm, along with a small electric motor used for engaging reverse.
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The conceptual founation of the final version of the bike is worked out, with CG renderings and CAD modeling. It's not completely finalized and some aspects will change after prototype testing, but this is a highly accurate representation of what the final version will look like.
Akira Bike Project
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