The phenomenon of wheel patter as it occurs in the heavy braking of motorcycles in essentially straight line motion is described briefly as probably consisting mainly of vertical and longitudinal motions of the front wheel, which has cyclic variations in its spin velocity. It has led to the setting up of a mathematical model of the motorcycle and to the examination of its behavioural properties by digital computer simulation. The model includes only the front frame assembly taken to be pivoted about a horizontal axis and spring restrained to an infinetely massive rear frame.
Abstract