How does a motorcycle work?

One cylinder firing 70 times a second, a foot lever that clicks a grooved drum, and a bike that turns by falling into the bend. A commuter motorcycle hangs a small single-cylinder engine in a steel cradle frame. Behind the cylinder sit a wet clutch and a five-speed gearbox, and a chain carries the drive to the back wheel.

Read how it works: How does a motorcycle work? · The history of the motorcycle · More boxes on Glassbox

Chapters in this interactive model

1. Inside a commuter motorcycle: An engine, a gearbox, a chain, two wheels and a frame that holds it all.
2. One cylinder, cooled by the wind: A single piston fires once every two turns, and fins hand its heat to the air.
3. Clutch, gears and chain: A foot lever turns a drum, and the drum picks which pair of gears drives the chain.
4. Leaning into a turn: To turn right, push the right bar: the bike falls into the lean, and the lean makes the turn.
5. Stopping: brakes, CBS and ABS: The weight rushes forward, so the front brake does most of the work, until the wheel locks.
6. Why a commuter sips petrol: A light bike at city speeds needs only about one kilowatt to keep going.