Discussion Dryvtech

Discussion in 'Other 250's' started by jmw76, Feb 16, 2023.

  1. jmw76

    jmw76 Well-Known Member

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    Does anyone recall this?
    Developed by a chap in Victoria, Ian Drysdale.
    Any interesting and very capable engineer.
    I believe that this prototype vehicle is a 250.
    All wheel drive. All wheel steer.
    When I last saw it, this photo, it was permanent on display at the Donington museum in the UK.

    upload_2023-2-16_20-5-8.jpeg
     
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  2. mboddy

    mboddy Well-Known Member Premium Member Contributing Member

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    I also saw it at Donnington.
     
  3. jmw76

    jmw76 Well-Known Member

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    The first time I saw the 250 Dryvtech was at a trade show down Geelong way. Ian was there along with his larger 750 prototype that he was trying to prepare for desert rally duties. I don't think he ever put it to use in competition. His theory was that what the vehicle would lack in outright performance and the weight penalty would be offset by the 2 wheel drive flexibility.
    Ian later went on to develop the Drysdale V8.

    https://www.odd-bike.com/2013/01/drysdale-v8-homebrew-aussie-eight.html
     
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  4. jmw76

    jmw76 Well-Known Member

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    The 2x2x2 was an interesting bit of technology. the engine drove a hydraulic pump which in turn drove hydraulic hub motors. steering was also hydraulic, but just a closed circuit with no engine driven pumps involved. It was quite strange to move the handlebars and see both wheels turn in opposite directions.
     
  5. jmw76

    jmw76 Well-Known Member

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  6. Murdo

    Murdo The Good Doctor Staff Member Contributing Member Ride and Events Crew

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    I saw it in a museum in Queensland years ago. Powered by Maico 250 motorcross engine.
     
  7. jmw76

    jmw76 Well-Known Member

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    @Murdo you might be right about the Maico engine. There are similarities, but it looks to be heavily modified.
    I had not noticed that before.
     
  8. Frankster

    Frankster Grey Pride...Adventure before Dementia Staff Member Premium Member Ride and Events Crew

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    From memory, Honda gave their Prelude car model an AWS (All Wheel Steering) system in the late eighties. It was speed sensitive, so it worked to different degrees depending on the speed the vehicle was travelling. I'm not sure I'd be too keen on my bike's rear wheel moving around under my butt at high speed. I'm pretty sure I saw it at Donnington too. I'm a big fan of people like Drysdale. He had a couple of his V8 bikes at Broadford several years ago. He also developed a supercharged V-twin that Indian might have looked at when they re-entered the market. Fascinating guy.
     
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  9. Murdo

    Murdo The Good Doctor Staff Member Contributing Member Ride and Events Crew

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    Mid 1970's MC250 that has had the gearbox cut off and has been turned 180deg to normal direction, ie carb to front and pipe to rear, with the head reversed back to normal direction. The drive to the pump is taken from where the primary chain sprocket lived, with the magneto on the other side of the picture. Even uses the Maico footpeg and brake pedal.
     
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    Last edited: Feb 17, 2023

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