1.

Parachutes. 

Stopping is more important than going, especially when you are on fire.

1. Liners over 250 mph will mount 2 parachutes with separate mechanical (cable) release mechanisms. 

1. Chute deployment may operate electrically but must/should (depending on sanctioning body) have a cable backup.

1. The high speed first deployed chute is typically of a smaller diameter than the low speed canopy.  This chute will be on a long riser (tow) line so the canopy is in clean air and will not fly off center searching for non-turbulent air which will pull the streamliner off line and possibly tip the machine over.

i. The high speed chute’s job is to stabilize the bike and gently slow the machine.

ii. Riser lines are typically 65-100 foot long.

1. The secondary / low speed chute is a larger diameter higher G deceleration canopy.
1. i. The riser line is typically 45-80 feet long

1. The parachutes must be reefed.  This means the riser line must be fully extended prior to the canopy fully opening and inflating.  If the canopy is not reefed it will inflate, open and stop right behind the streamliner, at this point the departure speed from liner to canopy is whatever speed the bike is running at the time of deployment.  The result of this sudden load (when the riser line is finally all out) is the riser line breaks from the high shock load.  If the bike is off line it can also pull the bike over on its side.

i. There are several reefing systems the most common in lsr is the canopy bag.  Stroud Safety can provide information and components for this system.

1. The riser / tow lines must be anchored at the vehicle CGH (center of gravity height).

1. Riser line rubbing against itself in the 300 plus mph deployment will create enough heat to melt and damage the synthetic material so care must be taken when designing riser storage.

1. Canopy size and type, riser line size and number are all designed for vehicle weight and speed.

1. Two systems of deployment can be used. Personal preference and experience will tell which one to use.

i. Go to neutral throttle and stabilize the vehicle- then deploy.

ii.Keep the vehicle under acceleration and deploy.

2.

1. Arm restraints.

2. To Keep your hands and arms inside the vehicle should the canopy come off (or not) during violent rotations.

1. Restraint anchors can be sewn into the fire suit close to the wrist or worn as straps wrapped around the lower fore arm.

1. The restraint strap must not use double D ring hardware to secure the adjustable length.  Only 3 bar type adjusters may be used.

1. The torso end of the strap has a steel, not aluminum piece that hooks into the shoulder restraint hardware at the latch.  When the rider unlatches the restraint system the arm restraints fall free.

3.

1. Restraint belts.

1. DLRA 5 point minimum

1. FIM, 7 point minimum (5 point plus 2 anti-submarine straps) for the lay down seating position.

1. Arm restraints do not count as a harness anchor point.

4.

1. Fire suppression in streamliners.

2. Being enclosed vehicles with lots of hot things inside they can catch on fire, and they have.  It’s nice to have a way for hot air / gasses to exit the vehicle and fresh air to enter after it has stopped.

Prevention is the best cure, heat shielding, coatings, etc. are worth the expense.

1. Cooling air inlet and exhaust vents are important when the bike is under way.

1. The main goal is to protect the rider.  The secondary goal is to put the fire out. Have enough and correct extinguishing on board to stop the burning vehicle from maximum speed without a parachute while keeping the rider unharmed.

1. The sanctioning bodies rule books closely define the type, amount and use of extinguishing systems.  Make sure you have closely read the rule book.  There is no deviation from the rules in this area.

1. Motorcycle streamliners tend to have small cockpits.  Extinguishing agents discharge at high rates and displace breathable air.  Keep this in mind when meeting the rules.

1. How does the rider know if there is a fire?  Good question; come up with an answer and a system.

1. Systems can be ordered from many suppliers and they come with all the hardware and mounting instructions required for installation.
2. Approved agents include, DuPont FE36, and certain AFFF systems including Cold Fire 302, ESS Foam, Firefox Gem Foam, Halotron or other non-Halon replacement certified by the manufacturer for use in a confined space. Dry chemical and CO2 may be used in the engine compartment only.

i. Proprietary systems have their own nozzle style.  Do not interchange nozzle styles between systems.

5.

1. The weather vane.

2. As long as there is a greater side surface area behind the center of gravity than in front of the CG the bike will be ‘stable’ in yaw.  If the rear tire spins up and puts the bike ‘sideways’ the air pressure acting on the bike will tend to straighten it out.  If the side area is greater in front of the CG the bike will swap ends.  The same principle as that of a weather vane. A streamliner is an airplane without wings flying in ground effect.  The Bonneville racing surface can have around 60% the traction of asphalt or 30%- sometimes on the same run so make sure the air flowing around the bike will keep it going straight.

1. If you steer down wind to correct for side wind the CG/CP (center of pressure) relationship is correct.

1. If you steer up wind to correct for side wind that is a bad thing and there is a dark cloud in your future.

1. Wheel (corner) weights, CG or CGH calculation and CP locations can be easily calculated with a set of scales, some paper, pencil and a calculator.

1. Check out the EAA website for some good info on the subject.

6.

1. Good design

   up front and patience campaigning the bike will provide the satisfaction these projects can generate.
   

   Happy Trails