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Its design consists of a double-jointed twisting axle connected to two standing platforms surrounded by 9" polyurethane hubless wheels. The Skatecycle, invented by Alon Karpman, contains the first hubless wheels to be mass-produced. The hubless wheels are former truck tires built up then custom-shaped to fit onto one of two counter-rotating rims spinning within each other, providing the broad-tired authenticity of the computer cycles from the movie.
OSMOS ORBITAL WHEELS MANUAL
Riders lie at a near-horizontal position astride the padded leather seat, with feet on foot pegs that control its 6-speed constant-mesh manual transmission and hands on the handlebars for throttle and braking. It is powered by a fuel-injected Suzuki 996 cc (60.8 cu in) 4-stroke engine. Designed for casual cruising and slow ride-bys at shows, it is made from a steel frame covered by a fiberglass cowling that replicates the sleek look of its computer-generated imagery counterpart.Įlectroluminescent wire strips built into the tire cowlings, wheel rims, and body illuminate the cycle. The illuminated, street-legal motorcycle was sold through Hammacher Schlemmer, inspired by the computer-animated vehicle from the 2010 film Tron: Legacy. One real-life example of hubless wheels are those used in the replica Tron: Legacy light cycle. The drive system is especially problematic since a conventional axle and constant-velocity joint cannot be used options include using a chain or belt drive. They are difficult and expensive to manufacture, requiring a great deal of precision machining, and the design leaves the bearings and other critical parts largely exposed to the elements. Īlthough hubless wheels are striking in appearance, their numerous practical disadvantages have precluded their widespread use as an alternative to conventional wheels. The hubless wheel was invented by Franco Sbarro (who has built a variety of working hubless wheel vehicles, including at least two motorcycles and a car, the 1989 Sbarro Osmos), and patented by Globeholding of Geneva. More specifically, the axle is hollow and follows the wheel at very close tolerances. (August 2012) ( Learn how and when to remove this template message)Ī centreless wheel (also known as a hubless wheel, spokeless wheel, orbital wheel, or rim-rider ) is a wheel with no center. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. This article needs additional citations for verification.
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