Emilly’s notes for 02/16/2024
Recap of last week’s work:
Engine Team:
Cleaned up rockers, valves and tension washer.
Re-greased
Learnt: From Professor Littman; There are 2 springs per valve. The springs are in opposite directions (clockwise and anticlockwise) for even pressure.
Question: Why do valve springs need to be strong?
The springs provide the force for the valve to close quickly; if weak, the valve would open quickly and close slowly. The heavier the valve, the stronger the spring.
Wheel group:
Removed the rubber part of the tire and spokes.
Learnt: Spokes work in tension, spokes are threaded.
Clutch and oil:
Tuned the close to finished motorcycle and filled the oil reservoir.
Checked for oil leaks in the secondary oil reservoir.
Problem encountered: the motorcycle couldn’t turn on when kick-starting. This was due to slipping; the torque was insufficient to turn on the engine.
Proposed fixes: Tightening/compressing the springs that hold the holding plate and clutch plate.
Using a spring with a larger spring constant; a spring with a larger spring constant is harder to stretch.
Question: Why so many plates?
This is the concept of coulomb friction. The more the plates, the more the surface, as a result, the basket can be made small.
Electric team:
Degreased and sandblasted pieces. (Grease needs to be removed first before sandblasting, as grease causes sand to clump)
Ways of degreasing:
Flushing the parts with water then drying.
Using a degreaser.
Suspension systems: plunger types and hydraulic press.
DISCUSSION
Reading: Chapters 12-13 in Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Design (no motorcycle references)
CHAPTER 12
Discussion led by: Aminatou
Content
The introduction of the character, DeWeese. We learn that Phaedrus found DeWeese interesting.
DeWeese – connected with the artistic side of things.
Interesting contrast on how the narrator is critical of John who is connected to the artistic side of things yet Phaedrus was interested in DeWeese, who shared in the artistic side of things.
The narrator impersonates Phaedrus by understanding him though other people.
A critical description of Montana.
We learn that the narrator liked DeWeese because he did not understand him. This contrasts his usual behavior of getting frustrated whenever he didn’t understand someone or something, for instance John.
Pg. 141: Troubleshooting electrical system (what we learn from the discussion between DeWeese and the narrator on troubleshooting, when DeWeese had a problem with the light bulb):
Troubleshooting involves action and observation.
One requires a baseline knowledge to troubleshoot effectively.
Troubleshooting involves an individual being an experimentalist, not afraid to try and not reckless(here’s where experience is essential)
CHAPTER 13
Discussion led by: Rashmiya
Content
The chapter mainly involves 2 arguments; Phaedrus’ university talk on accreditation of university education and his argument on faith, belief and doubt.
Church Talk:
Based on the church talk by the narrator, we learn that based on the narrator, education is a mindset, not tied to a physical place, just as a church is not the building but rather what goes on inside it.
People’s views on narrator’s argument or removing accreditation of the university of Montana:
Agreed but as a student, accreditation of university still matters as it is a means of earning a degree thus means of employment, as a result it is unrealistic.
The removal of university accreditation would result in less weight in college education, as a result, learning would cease to be substantial.
From the Church talk, we learn of Phaedrus’ fanaticism, as he argues on the Church of Faith being rational despite the idea lacking realism and rationality.
Professor Littman pointed out how it was interesting that Phaedrus used Socrates’ idea on seeking truth to relate with his idea on university education, considering Socrates was put to death for corrupting youth.
Faith, belief and doubt:
The narrator suggests that everything always falls apart and that there is power in reason.
Pg. 152: Through the analogy of the sun, that we have confidence that the sun comes up every morning thus we have no need to shout so, we learn that the narrator’s lack of faith made him search for the truth.
What do we learn about the narrator from the chapter:
He was teacher of English
He had an engineering background, wrote technical manuals.