Students at Delhi’s Netaji Subhas University of Technology have converted a Triumph Daytona 675 into a manned aircraft, but for safety reasons they are using it unmanned. The project is named Sokoro. It is being made by Sharma Sharma, Dakshin Lakra and Sourav Vaid.
The goal of the students is to take it to an aerial height of 20 cm. They have so far been able to take it to a height of 5-7 cm. Thus, the prototype machine was able to create enough thrust to take the lift. Students are sure that it can carry the weight of an adult. So far, they have limited the height at which the machine can fly for safety purposes.
Read more: Nice to see Royal Enfield Thunderbird 500 motorcycle modified from Eimor Customs
The engine may be a Daytona 675 but it is tuned by SpeedMonks. It is a three-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine that produces 115 hp of maximum power and 74 Nm of peak torque in its stock size. The engine has been reset to produce 135 hp.
The chassis was made by the students themselves. It is made of 6351 aerospace-grade aluminum and has a trellis frame. They chose aluminum because it is lighter, more durable and a bit more expensive than other metals. The total length of the chassis is 12 feet. It is so long because it is fitted with a propeller. Matching is done so that the shocks and shocks are evenly distributed throughout the frame.
The length of the front chassis is not the same as that of the rear chassis. This is done intentionally so that the center of mass falls exactly on the center of the motorcycle. The bike still weighs 150 kg whereas the chassis weighs 18 kg. Thus, a total of 168 kg.
The engine is mated to a belt drive type transmission that rotates the propeller. The belts are taken from Continental. Harley-Davidson uses a similar type of belt. 2 belts are attached which transfer energy evenly to the front propeller and the rear propeller.
The engine lifts the motorcycle when it hits at 6,000 to 7,000 rpm. Propeller tri-blade wood unit. Both propellers are made in handicrafts. The team has experimented with small propellers, but after several experiments and calculations, the current one is over.
Initially the students thought that the project would take four months to implement. In the first month, they will dismantle the motorcycle, in the second month they will be dedicated to building the transmission, in the third month they will build the chassis and in the fourth month, they will assemble the propeller and accessories. However, it has been more than a year and a half now.
They thought that investing money would end. 3-4 lakh has been spent on the project but that amount has been spent only on research and testing. So far, they have invested money 14-15 lakhs in the project which includes bike engine.
The bike is controlled via a remote control attached to a mobile phone. Throttle is also controlled by the same remote. However, due to some electronic problems, the motorcycle could not take flight.
Read more: BSA Unveils Motorcycle Gold Star 650: Royal Enfield 650 Will Compete With Twins