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| A - D
E - H
I - L M - P
Q - T U - Z |
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ECU: Engine Control Unit
Controls various aspects of an internal combustion engine’s operation. ECUs
control the quantity of fuel injected into each cylinder, with each engine
cycle, by monitoring the engine through sensors. ECUs also control ignition
timing and other peripherals. A special category of ECUs are those which are
programmable. These units do not have a fixed behavior, but can be reprogrammed
by the user.
EFI: Electronic Fuel Injection
A means of metering fuel into an internal combustion engine. EFI replaces
carburetors as a method to meter fuel. (See Fuel Injection).
Enduro
Off-road competition against the clock and usually over long distances.
Engine Cut Off Switch
Usually located on the right handlebar switch housing, this switch allows the
motorcyclist to turn off the engine without removing his or her hand from the
handlebar. Also known as the “kill switch.”
Epicyclic Gear
A gear that operates around the circumference of another.
Ergonomics
The study of body posture, and the positioning of instruments, to create a good
human-to-machine interface. “Good ergonomics” refers to how well a motorcycle
fits a rider for its intended use.
Esses
A series of turns with quick left and right transitions. |
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Fairing
An enclosure on the front of the bike containing the windshield and affording
wind protection to the rider. Can be attached to the frame and not move or be
attached to the fork and move as the handlebars are turned.
Farkles
Motorcycle enthusiasts may install accessories, called farkles (also spelled
farkels), to customize their machine. The word is generally accepted to mean a
combination of “function” and “sparkle”, hence, farkle. The term is well known
in the North American sport touring community. Radar detectors, Global
Positioning System receivers, heated grips, and satellite radios are some of
those farkles. Other accessories could be aftermarket seats or bar risers, which
make the motorcycle more suitable for long miles.
Featherbed Frame
Famous Norton frame design by the McCandless brothers. It was introduced in 1950
and was given its name by factory rider Harold Daniell.
FIM: Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme
The governing body of the international motorcycle sport. Originally founded in
1904, it represents 90 national motorcycle federations that are divided into six
regional continental unions.
There are five motorcycle-racing disciplines that FIM covers, encompassing 34
world championships and prizes:
1. road racing
2. motocross
3. trials
4. enduro
5. track racing (combining Grass Track and Speedway)
FIM is also involved in many non-racing activities that promote the sport, its
safety, and support relevant public policy.
Final Drive
Means of transmitting power to the driven wheel, usually by chain, shaft, or
belt.
Fore-and-Aft Flat Twin
A flat-twin engine mounted with cylinders positioned in line with the frame.
Fork
The metal tubes that connect the front wheel to the motorcycle frame via the
triple tree. For handling, the front fork is a critical motorcycle component as
it allows the rider to steer. The fork, along with its attachment points on the
frame establish the critical motorcycle geometry parameters of rake and trail,
which in turn contribute to wheelbase.
Four Stroke Engine
The most common engine design found in street motorcycles. It refers to the
number of times a piston moves up and down through each power cycle.
1. A downward stroke brings in the fuel/air mixture
2. an upward stroke compresses the fuel/air mixture
3. a downward stroke results when that mixture is ignited and expands (also
known as the Power Stroke)
4. and finally an upward stroke expels the exhaust gases
Fuel Injection
A device that serves the same function as a carburetor, but uses
computer-controlled jets to inject atomized fuel and air into the air stream
going into the engine. (See EFI). |
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Gear Ratio
The gear ratio is the relationship between the number of teeth on two gears that
are meshed or two sprockets connected with a common roller chain, or the
circumferences of two pulleys connected with a drive belt.
Girder Forks
Type of forks common on early machines, comprising rigid beams attached to the
steering head by parallel links that allowed movement.
Grand Prix Motorcycle Racing
Established in 1949 by the FIM, it is the oldest motorsport World Championship
that is still in existence. Competition is held in well over a dozen countries
in 5 continents. Grand Prix motorcycle racing is currently divided into three
distinct classes: 125 cc, 250 cc and MotoGP. Grand Prix is French, meaning
“Grand Prize.”
Greasy Track
A slippery racetrack.
Green Track
A new road-racing course with no rubber on the surface, which can be slippery.
“I had to be careful during that practice session because the track was really
green.”
Gypsy Tour
A motorcycle road event, usually several days in duration, in which the
participants travel through the countryside and stop at a different destination
each night. The implication is that you are traveling without time or distance
constraints.
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Hairpin
A very slow, tight, sometimes 180-degree, turn.
Helical Gear
The leading edges of the teeth are not parallel to the axis of rotation, but are
set at an angle. Since the gear is curved, this angling causes the tooth shape
to be a segment of a helix. The angled teeth engage more gradually than do spur
gear teeth. This causes helical gears to run more smoothly and quietly than
straight-cut gears. Helical gears also offer the possibility of using
non-parallel shafts.
High Side
A type of motorcycle crash that occurs when the rear wheel starts to slide in a
turn (sometimes due to a locked brake and the resulting skidding tire), and then
suddenly grips the pavement (which could occur when letting off the brake)
flipping the bike sideways. The name derives from the side of the motorcycle
that the rider will separate from. If forcibly thrown over the bike, the rider
is said to have dismounted on the high side.
Riders are usually advised to do a lowsider rather than a highsider if neither
can be avoided. The highsider has the additional disadvantage of the rider often
being catapulted into the air by the sudden jerking motion of the motorbike and
the increased possibility of the motorbike sliding behind the rider with the
potential of striking him or her.
Because highside accidents are so much more deadly than lowside accidents, the
Motorcycle Safety Foundation recommends that if a rider locks the rear brake, it
should be kept locked until the motorcycle comes to a stop. If necessary,
locking the front brake to deliberately cause a lowside is recommended.
Horsepower
A unit of measurement used to describe an engine’s strength. Typically, the more
horsepower an engine produces, the faster the motorcycle can potentially go. The
term “horsepower” was invented by James Watt in 1782 to help market his steam
engine and refers to the power exerted by a horse in pulling.
Hub-Center Steering
One of several different types of front-end suspension/steering mechanisms used
in motorcycles. Hub-center steering is characterized by a swingarm that extends
from the bottom of the engine/frame to the center of the front wheel instead of
two forks.
The advantages of using a hub-center steering system instead of a more
conventional motorcycle fork are that hub-center steer separates the steering,
braking, and suspension functions. With a fork the braking forces are put
through the suspension, a situation that leads to the suspension being
compressed, using up a large amount of suspension travel which makes dealing
with bumps and other road irregularities extremely difficult. Also, having the
steering working through the forks also causes problems with stiction,
decreasing the effectiveness of the suspension.
Its complicated assembly is only one of the reasons hub-center steering is
implemented in relatively few motorcycle models. The telescopic fork steering
system is much more commonly used.
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