Motorcycle Modification is an important
part of the total experience for many motorcyclists either in the search for
individuality, to make improvements or to make the machine more suitable for
their use. It also supports a whole
industry of parts suppliers, modifiers and manufacturers as well as providing
the opportunity for all types of individual effort. All types of modification have one thing
in common, the overriding need to see that the change does not make the machine
less safe to ride than the original. This book proposes a simple method,
based on long established aircraft and aero engine practices, of reviewing any
intended modification at an early stage so that any potential safety problems
can be avoided. The book is more than just a basic
manual and incorporates many memories from a long career, various related and
unrelated thoughts and a few original and possibly controversial suggestions
which occurred to the author at the time of writing. It invites the readers to
either agree or disagree with any or all of these deviations from the basic method. The book avoids much engineering theory
to ensure that it is readily understandable to those motorcyclists who do not
claim to be professional engineers but are contemplating modifying their
machines or are just interested in all thing mechanical. Originally published in 2020, the
opportunity to produce a 2nd Edition has allowed it to be updated to 2024. During that time I have concentrated on
conversion of two wheeled machines into three wheelers and have learned a lot
about the practical problems of this type of modification. The 2nd edition has provided
the opportunity to add a new section in the hope of helping anyone thinking of doing
this type of modification to avoid many of the problems with this type of
change. Forward into the future but not
forgetting lessons learned from the past. What-ever projects come along, the
principles of failure analysis which are the basis of this book will remain the
best way to ensure safety.