What is this on AP's bike?

T-Fish
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So, I'm going through some photos I took at Millville last year and just noticed a wire going from his brake caliper to something on his front fender. I assume it's a sensor of some sort.AP.jpeg?VersionId=FJP22mNm9vtHKJIU4Fx3eNu

 

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40acres
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7/10/2023 9:09pm

Looks like a sensor measuring fork travel. 

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Magoofan
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7/10/2023 10:07pm

It's KTMs way of finding out why their mega-billion dollar forks/suspension are getting beat by Masterpool....

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20
7/10/2023 10:16pm

As @40acres said, it's a fork position sensor, it's been used by other teams...

s1200 IMG 4786

 

The Shop

CPR
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7/11/2023 12:29am

It automatically tucks the front end if a privateer goes past.

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sleetdawg
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7/11/2023 3:43am

We used this data for over 15 years ago for the production models and in my experience when riders are using it during motos teams are trying to confirm rider feedback with actual data. I think it's a great tool to measure feeling and actual data. 

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Spoonguy
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7/11/2023 4:14am

It automatically applies the front brake when a top five position is nearing.

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kxking
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7/11/2023 7:15am

Tuck the front!

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T-Fish
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7/11/2023 10:23am
sleetdawg wrote:
We used this data for over 15 years ago for the production models and in my experience when riders are using it during motos teams are...

We used this data for over 15 years ago for the production models and in my experience when riders are using it during motos teams are trying to confirm rider feedback with actual data. I think it's a great tool to measure feeling and actual data. 

Aside from fork travel, can you elaborate exactly what’s measured and how that the data does what it does? I think those type of details would be neat to know. 

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RACING
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7/11/2023 12:41pm

It's been mentioned like a thousand times over the years in PitBits, Monday Kickstart or MXA...

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plowboy
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7/11/2023 1:00pm

Yup. String pot. 

Yep...they are used on experimental/preproduction aircraft to measure travel on flight controls, landing gear, etc.  I'd be surprised if they aren't using strain gauges to measure frame flex as well.

T-Fish
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7/11/2023 2:46pm
RACING wrote:

It's been mentioned like a thousand times over the years in PitBits, Monday Kickstart or MXA...

Excuse me for not noticing. 

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wsc96
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7/11/2023 2:54pm
T-Fish wrote:
Aside from fork travel, can you elaborate exactly what’s measured and how that the data does what it does? I think those type of details would...

Aside from fork travel, can you elaborate exactly what’s measured and how that the data does what it does? I think those type of details would be neat to know. 

Anyone have any more info on this? What kind of data does this provide?

1
7/11/2023 2:59pm
T-Fish wrote:
Aside from fork travel, can you elaborate exactly what’s measured and how that the data does what it does? I think those type of details would...

Aside from fork travel, can you elaborate exactly what’s measured and how that the data does what it does? I think those type of details would be neat to know. 

wsc96 wrote:

Anyone have any more info on this? What kind of data does this provide?

Usually numbers. They tried using the unladen speed of a swallow, but it just didn't work. 

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plowboy
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7/11/2023 3:03pm
wsc96 wrote:

Anyone have any more info on this? What kind of data does this provide?

At the very least it provides an electronic record of fork travel for the entire race (remember the O-ring we used to put on the slider to see if we were bottoming out).  If they are using technology...it could be integrated into lean angles, speed, or many other parameters.  When coupled with rider "seat of the pants" feel... adjustments or mods move faster.

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plowboy
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7/11/2023 3:04pm

Usually numbers. They tried using the unladen speed of a swallow, but it just didn't work. 

Which species of swallow?

1
7/11/2023 3:27pm

Usually numbers. They tried using the unladen speed of a swallow, but it just didn't work. 

plowboy wrote:

Which species of swallow?

European, of course. 

plowboy
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7/11/2023 3:28pm

Usually numbers. They tried using the unladen speed of a swallow, but it just didn't work. 

plowboy wrote:

Which species of swallow?

European, of course. 

Cool

7/11/2023 3:33pm

               The only kind of swallow that matters….his girlfriend !

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plowboy
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7/11/2023 3:39pm

               The only kind of swallow that matters….his girlfriend !

When I was young and chasin' skirt that mattered.  When I got old and married...the thought of kissing that nasty mouth mattered more.Blush

7/11/2023 3:50pm

Yup. String pot. 

plowboy wrote:
Yep...they are used on experimental/preproduction aircraft to measure travel on flight controls, landing gear, etc.  I'd be surprised if they aren't using strain gauges to measure...

Yep...they are used on experimental/preproduction aircraft to measure travel on flight controls, landing gear, etc.  I'd be surprised if they aren't using strain gauges to measure frame flex as well.

Ah someone else in aerospace I see. 

G-man
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7/11/2023 4:07pm

Crazy stuff to be running in a national outdoor long moto.

Looks like so much could go wrong just from a photo. 

I can understand testing with it but is that just a cable? Unsure

Screenshot 20230711-151135 Chrome.jpg?VersionId=C 8H5e4tK6Bb3NDXUkfrGh03JF3HGtr

 

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plowboy
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7/11/2023 4:10pm

Yup. String pot. 

plowboy wrote:
Yep...they are used on experimental/preproduction aircraft to measure travel on flight controls, landing gear, etc.  I'd be surprised if they aren't using strain gauges to measure...

Yep...they are used on experimental/preproduction aircraft to measure travel on flight controls, landing gear, etc.  I'd be surprised if they aren't using strain gauges to measure frame flex as well.

Ah someone else in aerospace I see. 

Retired now but I had a blast for a long time.Wink

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plowboy
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7/11/2023 4:15pm
G-man wrote:
Crazy stuff to be running in a national outdoor long moto. Looks like so much could go wrong just from a photo.  I can understand testing...

Crazy stuff to be running in a national outdoor long moto.

Looks like so much could go wrong just from a photo. 

I can understand testing with it but is that just a cable? Unsure

Screenshot 20230711-151135 Chrome.jpg?VersionId=C 8H5e4tK6Bb3NDXUkfrGh03JF3HGtr

 

If it were to break the pot is spring loaded...the very thin cable would retract into the housing.  If it broke near the pot...the cable is thin enough to not cause problems even if it wrapped around the wheel.  They've been around forever because they work.

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wsc96
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7/11/2023 4:18pm
plowboy wrote:
At the very least it provides an electronic record of fork travel for the entire race (remember the O-ring we used to put on the slider...

At the very least it provides an electronic record of fork travel for the entire race (remember the O-ring we used to put on the slider to see if we were bottoming out).  If they are using technology...it could be integrated into lean angles, speed, or many other parameters.  When coupled with rider "seat of the pants" feel... adjustments or mods move faster.

I wonder if it is time stamped or ties in with GPS if they’re relating the data to certain parts of the track. Probably not that advanced I’m guessing.

plowboy
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7/11/2023 4:21pm

For aircraft, these devices broadcast real time data to an instrumentation department that monitors all parameters independent of cockpit indications.  In a lot of situations, especially emergencies...the crew may not have time to accurately document aircraft configurations.  The data is mostly used by engineering pointy heads.

zehn
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7/11/2023 4:22pm
plowboy wrote:
At the very least it provides an electronic record of fork travel for the entire race (remember the O-ring we used to put on the slider...

At the very least it provides an electronic record of fork travel for the entire race (remember the O-ring we used to put on the slider to see if we were bottoming out).  If they are using technology...it could be integrated into lean angles, speed, or many other parameters.  When coupled with rider "seat of the pants" feel... adjustments or mods move faster.

wsc96 wrote:
I wonder if it is time stamped or ties in with GPS if they’re relating the data to certain parts of the track. Probably not that...

I wonder if it is time stamped or ties in with GPS if they’re relating the data to certain parts of the track. Probably not that advanced I’m guessing.

I’m certain they do all of that and far more. 

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plowboy
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7/11/2023 4:23pm
plowboy wrote:
At the very least it provides an electronic record of fork travel for the entire race (remember the O-ring we used to put on the slider...

At the very least it provides an electronic record of fork travel for the entire race (remember the O-ring we used to put on the slider to see if we were bottoming out).  If they are using technology...it could be integrated into lean angles, speed, or many other parameters.  When coupled with rider "seat of the pants" feel... adjustments or mods move faster.

wsc96 wrote:
I wonder if it is time stamped or ties in with GPS if they’re relating the data to certain parts of the track. Probably not that...

I wonder if it is time stamped or ties in with GPS if they’re relating the data to certain parts of the track. Probably not that advanced I’m guessing.

Don't know if the moto teams are that advanced but the aircraft industry certainly is...and more.

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plowboy
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7/11/2023 4:29pm

Speed, OAT (Outside air temp), engine throttle positions and temps, flt control positions and trims, AOA, altitude.... every single thing that can be measured except the pilots bladder level is captured and broadcast real time to the Instrumentation dept.  Pretty cool actually.

7/11/2023 4:52pm
plowboy wrote:
At the very least it provides an electronic record of fork travel for the entire race (remember the O-ring we used to put on the slider...

At the very least it provides an electronic record of fork travel for the entire race (remember the O-ring we used to put on the slider to see if we were bottoming out).  If they are using technology...it could be integrated into lean angles, speed, or many other parameters.  When coupled with rider "seat of the pants" feel... adjustments or mods move faster.

wsc96 wrote:
I wonder if it is time stamped or ties in with GPS if they’re relating the data to certain parts of the track. Probably not that...

I wonder if it is time stamped or ties in with GPS if they’re relating the data to certain parts of the track. Probably not that advanced I’m guessing.

I am sure they can correlate it with GPS, any other less noticeable sensors, and everything the ECU knows. 

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