Page 1 of 2
The New Ducati Wheel-Ejection System
Posted: Sun Mar 27, 2011 10:32 pm
by D-Rider
Yes, Ducati has astounded the world with it's latest technical innovation - the rear wheel ejection system.
It is unclear of the mechanism they use for this - sources close to the factory have hinted that small explosive charges - similar to those used to deploy air-bags - are embedded in the spokes of the wheel. At the press of a button, the charges are activated and the wheel jettisoned.
Footage of the system in operation has been uncovered:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1j32N2e ... r_embedded
What remains unclear is why this system has been introduced .....
Posted: Sun Mar 27, 2011 10:37 pm
by Samray
I understood it to be a Yamaha development that they trialled on a Duc.
Posted: Sun Mar 27, 2011 10:58 pm
by Dalemac
Italian bikes - just too much torque going through the rear axle :P
Posted: Mon Mar 28, 2011 10:12 am
by BikerGran
Or not enough torque on the spanner.........
Posted: Mon Mar 28, 2011 4:26 pm
by back_marker
BikerGran wrote:Or not enough torque on the spanner.........
If you watch the wheel, it has a big hole where the hub used to be
Posted: Mon Mar 28, 2011 5:28 pm
by BikerGran
Actually, having watched it a couple more times - was it the wheel that came off or just the tyre?
Posted: Mon Mar 28, 2011 6:08 pm
by Aladinsaneuk
i think the hub is still attached to the bike - probably with the sprocket.....
best cure for french constipation ??
Posted: Mon Mar 28, 2011 6:30 pm
by back_marker
BikerGran wrote:Actually, having watched it a couple more times - was it the wheel that came off or just the tyre?
I thought it was the tyre when I saw it live but when you see the back of the bike there is no rim there
Posted: Mon Mar 28, 2011 8:09 pm
by D-Rider
As they said on the commentary of the second race (the incident happened in the first race), the wheel shattered. Looks to me that the spokes broke away under power.
I think it's as well that it happened on a single-sided swingarm and the wheel was able to make a clean exit - might have been even worse if it had got trapped in the swingarm.
Posted: Mon Mar 28, 2011 8:13 pm
by Kwackerz
Something to be said for having dates like on helmets for those low weight, high stress wheels..
2 years then scrap I say.
In fact, if Ducati wish to send me all their over 2 year old race wheels, I will ensure they never go on a bike again.
..by turning them into high quality garden hose reels.
Posted: Mon Mar 28, 2011 8:15 pm
by D-Rider
Yeah - the hazards of magnesium wheels - better to stick with forged ally or carbon for road use.
Posted: Tue Mar 29, 2011 2:58 pm
by Kwackerz
Looking at this pic, isnt it time to lynch the mechanic? Thats not the wheel centre is it?
Posted: Tue Mar 29, 2011 4:23 pm
by back_marker
Posted: Tue Mar 29, 2011 6:19 pm
by Samray
Good ice racer.
Posted: Tue Mar 29, 2011 6:21 pm
by Dalemac
holy shit. i thought the axle had snapped off or the nut had come loose.....but the outer of the wheel has actually seperated from the inside!
scary stuff!
