Best Working Day

Homemade vehicle - a floating motorcycle

This video shows a daring engineering experiment under field conditions: an attempt to transform an ordinary road motorcycle into an amphibious vehicle capable of moving on water. The action takes place on the bank of a river or artificial canal, surrounded by greenery. A group of young people excitedly and shoutingly test their invention, attempting to keep the structure afloat and propel it using the engine's thrust. Amphibious motorcycle design: Basic: Red classic motorcycle. Rear: A wide metal frame, reminiscent of a tricycle, is welded or attached to the motorcycle. In place of the standard wheels, huge improvised drums are installed, assembled from numerous inflated car inner tubes (black rings), which are supposed to provide buoyancy and traction (acting as paddles). Front: A large metal barrel is attached to the front fork instead of a wheel, acting as a float to keep the front of the motorcycle afloat. Step-by-step description of the process Starting the engine and moving: The driver starts the engine and puts it into gear. Large tires made from car inner tubes begin to spin, raising a splash. A barrel in front holds the front of the motorcycle, and the motorcycle begins to move slowly through the water. Assistants in the water guide and support it. Unassisted navigation: The driver accelerates (the characteristic sound of the engine is heard). The motorcycle successfully launches from the shore and begins to move independently, confidently floating thanks to the rotation of the rear improvised paddle wheels. The driver smiles and expresses joy at his success. Interesting facts and observations Propulsion principle: The creators used a design similar to 19th-century paddle steamers. Inflatable bladders serve as paddle wheels. Their rotation creates a slight thrust that pushes the "amphibian" forward. Trim and balance issues: Motorcycles have a very high center of gravity. Without wide side floats or counterweights, maintaining balance on such a design is extremely difficult, as demonstrated in the first seconds of the video. The front barrel helps support the heavy engine, but doesn't prevent it from rolling sideways. Risk to the engine: Water hammer is the main danger for the engine in such tests. The video shows that the exhaust pipe is very close to the water (or even submerged), and when the motorcycle fell, it nearly scooped up water with its air intake. The fact that the engine started and ran afterward speaks volumes about the experimenters' luck.