Sakamoto concept luge.

This luge has a split pan with a aluminium subframe forming 5 londitudinal chambers to try and create "downforce". Same principals as the Formula1's. The two side tubes are there to create stiffness in the board, but also to grad whatever % of air they can moving down the body and board to help cleanup air coming off the back of the board. Core material is "Nidaplaste", no carbon just cross-laminations. Total weight, with running gear, is 12kg's. These pics are of my prototype "crash and burn" board, the one I use to cut, grind and retest with. The core material used in the pans came to a total weight for the whole unit at just a few grams under 900g's. 0% flex under my weight of 73kg's. Just looking at "direct downforce" possibilities....something differant. Cheers.

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Permalink Reply by Sakamoto on December 28, 2009 at 16:09

The bumpers, at this stage, are polystyrene....it means I can fine tune the final shape and when I'm happy with the shape make tech acceptable bumpers.

Premium MemberPermalink Reply by Lance and Josh on December 28, 2009 at 16:57

looks awesome buddy , Pat B has been trying to get me on a luge for a while now , that looks so comfy you could have a snooze while your waiting to start your run .... what would something like that cost to own ?

Permalink Reply by Sakamoto on December 28, 2009 at 17:11

Hi Lance,
$650.00 without running gear, and Ado would be the man to get the Luge trucks etc from.
Definately have to get you on a luge buddy!!!!!

Lance Evans and Josh (14 yrs) said:

looks awesome buddy , Pat B has been trying to get me on a luge for a while now , that looks so comfy you could have a snooze while your waiting to start your run .... what would something like that cost to own ?

Permalink Reply by Steven Sheely on December 28, 2009 at 18:48

Looking good bud have you taken it out for a good run yet?

Permalink Reply by Michael English on December 28, 2009 at 18:53

what trucks do you run on a streetluge? the randal luge trucks, cast trucks or precision?

Permalink Reply by Sakamoto on December 28, 2009 at 20:25

Randal Comp2 Streetluge Trucks, with the Randal blue/black bushings.

Michael English said:

what trucks do you run on a streetluge? the randal luge trucks, cast trucks or precision?

Premium MemberPermalink Reply by Arbi on December 29, 2009 at 8:11

hey man I owe you money for souls, when you down next?

Permalink Reply by Sakamoto on December 29, 2009 at 8:37

Hey Arbi, how you doin'?
Not sure at the moment, but don't stress, we'll catchup at some stage.
Cheers.

Arbi said:

hey man I owe you money for souls, when you down next?

Premium MemberPermalink Reply by Fitz on December 29, 2009 at 10:56

Sweet!
You need a wind tunnel Sak!
Very Tech.

Permalink Reply by Brad NS on December 29, 2009 at 11:14

Be interesting to see how much down force it gives in the back ,while sitting up in a corner ! :)

Permalink Reply by Sakamoto on December 29, 2009 at 21:23

Absolutely Brad......I've got some pics of the rear which I'll post up, as it shows the setup more clearly.
The thought/theory...and it is theory at this level, is that of working on try to gain some use of the air moving around us and our boards...trying to use a percentage of that moving energy to our advantage, not a total control. The faster the air moves, the more effect will be there, so the trick will be in keeping as fast and low as possible in the corners to gain as much advantage as possible. Some corners you have to sit up and brake, but it's just finding the balance of body position and speed.
It would be interesting to put it in a tunnel, Fitz, with and without a rider.
This isn't an "aerodynamic" improvement, it's just playing with all the dirty air arounds us and seeing if it's possible to use a percentage of that crappy air to help us in some way, ie, better grip and stability.

Brad NS said:

Be interesting to see how much down force it gives in the back ,while sitting up in a corner ! :)

Sakamoto concept luge.

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