[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by DSLeach

Actually, less rotating mass (crank, flywheel, clutch, drive shaft, wheels, tires) or moving the mass inwards towards the center of rotation will free up HP parasitic losses. Here is a thought experiment for you.

Take one straight shaft and put a heavy truck wheel/tire on it. Lets say it is 300 lbs. Stand that axle straight up on with the wheel/tire on the top. Now imagine using your hands to spin that axle with the wheel/tire on the top. Its going to pretty hard because of the mass you are attempting to accelerate.

Try the same thought experiment with a little 12" trailer wheel/tire combination on the axle. Spinning that little wheel/tire combo is a lot easier because the mass is lower and because that small mass is concentrated closer to the center of rotation.

Remember the force required to accelerate a mass is governed by the equation F=ma. As the mass you are accelerating increases, so does the required force. This equation also applies to to rotational mass. Its just simple physics.

By the way, where did you get your engineering degree?

If you want some further education on the effective of rotating mass, there is a pretty good discussion of it in the suspension forum.

Cheers!

Oh oh!