Motorcycle, Human Being, and Thermodynamics

Necessity is the mother of all inventions. That necessity has led to the invention of motorcycle. Now, it’s not just about making of a motorcycle by human being using thermodynamics principles. There is more to it beyond what we acknowledge. Let’s go deep into what’s that connection is, between Motorcycle, Human Being, and Thermodynamics. The connection that is more of an infinite source which keep evolves the more we analyze.

An engine is the very core of any motorcycle just like heart for Human. The motorcycle and human being fundamentally need heat to survive which is Thermodynamics (Simply put, study of heat). Let us consider this analogy. There are four processes for an engine to run and we call it a cycle. Just like we take food to run our system, an engine needs air and fuel which will be taken in and we call it intake. Now this intake of the mixture mentioned latter is been compressed just like our digestive system processes the food we take and we call it compression. Now with the help of the energy developed with the food, thanks to our digestive system, we accumulate energy for our life until we need next refill. The same way, the compressed fuel is been used to generate the motion of the piston inside an engine cylinder which enables the motorcycle to move and we call it power stroke. Just like human waste, the engine expels the burnt particles which is called exhaust. That makes a complete cycle. The place where this magical cycle happens is said to be in a Thermodynamic system, where engine and human body is boundary and everything external to it is surrounding.

If we dive into the history, the first developmental study of internal combustion engine was done by Eugenio Barsanti and Felice Matteucci in 1853. After some searching, Barsanti and Matteucci selected the John Cockerill foundry in Seraing, Belgium to mass-produce a 4 hp engine. Barsanti died suddenly at Seraing of typhoid fever and Matteucci was left alone to lead the business due to which the development of the engine failed. However, the first working engine using coal gas and air mixture was built by a German Engineer Nicolaus Otto and so is the name as Otto Cycle. It was a break through and the rest we know, a motorcycle standing as our Companion.

Things are pretty much connected in this world. Just like, water always flows from higher level to lower level, heat always flows from a body at higher temperature to a body at lower temperature, and knowledge transfer from an intellect to a seeker.  We can sometimes solve our problems by taking solution from another aspect in life.

Whenever, we, the riders face adversities in life, we just launch the key, grab the handle, twist the throttle and let go of it. How it happens? There exists an ever ending bond and connection between us. If you think I am exaggerating, try it for yourself. Next time, when you are in some trouble and want to overcome it, just pull out your motorcycle, and go for a long ride, and the rest will be taken care by your motorcycle. When you do it, you will first keep thinking of your problem, but, your motorcycle will continuously push you to change gear, control throttle and it keeps you engaged in the continuously changing sites around you. Slowly the busy roads starts getting barren, buildings will disappear and are replaced with greenery or the barren lands. With this, you will automatically begin to forget your problem and becomes one with your motorcycle and you guessed it correct, you will subconsciously forget your problem. Moreover, we don’t just forget problem, our motorcycle may even end up giving solution to it. Ultimately, it is the place where you meditate upon things and solve the problems.

Imagine two bodies at different temperatures. Now when they bought in contact with each other, there will be a transfer of heat from a body at higher temperature to a body at lower temperature. This happens until the two bodies reach thermal equilibrium, in other words, when they reach same temperature. This has been explained by Zeroth Law of Thermodynamics. The same way we can infer that whatever we seek in life, we can attain it with the something which is more ideal or knowledgeable. We cannot expect to get inspiration by watching sunset standing in balcony, or commuting daily on motorcycle in city like to office or college or whichever the profession we are in. We need to reach that equilibrium to grasp the knowledge or the inspiration from nature. Now the next question is how can we reach that equilibrium? Like the Zeroth Law of Thermodynamics states, we need to be in close vicinity from that which we are seeking. We all know that the inspiration given by nature is on par with anything else. In addition to this, the path you take in your journey to attain that equilibrium with nature is also important. The motorcycle is the next best thing that helps you attain that. Like I said in my previous blog, on motorcycle you get time and chance to meditate upon things. With this rejuvenated mind and calmness which we attained on motorcycle, getting close to nature in this state is perfect to get inspired. That is nature, motorcycle, the bond between Human and motorcycle for you.

Every one of us have rubbed our hands in winter or when it’s too cold to generate heat in our palms. We do that subconsciously and it is a common phenomenon to deal with chill. There is thermodynamics in that as well and we call it First Law of Thermodynamics. This explains that “Energy can neither be created nor destroyed but can only be transferred from one form of energy into another”. So when we rub our hands, we are not generating heat, but the work we do with our hands is converted into the heat energy. We don’t generate anything new, we just harness the resources, hunches, Omens given by nature to us. “What is now proved was only once imagined” said by William Blake. We imagined, and proved what was imagined.

In our motorcycle, the developed heat inside the engine is converted into work with which the wheels rotate. When you ride, it’s not that you just sit and the vehicle takes you. You need to work in changing gears, controlling handle, going against the wind, keeping your brain active to look after the path, your reflexes should be at next level, and most importantly controlling heart of motorcycle with your wrist, it ain’t no easy task, it’s the highest level of work you are doing. With the conglomerate of all these factors, you are boosting serotonin which is also called as happy chemical in your mind and it is a proven fact. With this you are already in the next state of consciousness. We ultimately don’t reach to the invincible state just like that. We cannot expect something for nothing. You need an input for an output. The input you are giving is your work, your vigor to riding a motorcycle and the result that we get is an art of happiness.

Then there are these Vintage motorcycles, the vehicle which is been a pride to ride for the family. The power of motorcycles those days very is much different from now. They are old school with muscle in them. Particularly the case with Harley’s, Indian, Yamaha, Honda, Royal Enfield. They are not like, stomp the ignition switch, and get going. The motorcycle tests the mettle of rider before allowing the rider for a journey. You must have to be doctor of motorcycle to take care of it. Not an easy task. However, it stays in the family been taken care of. The bond and connection is ever lasting.

So the next time when you are in trouble, try searching for solutions from which are you are most acquaint with. Try applying the analogies with it. Establish the link and see there exists a connection for sure. Who knows, you may even end up finding a solution for it. Every one of us, while solving a mathematical problem, or while experimenting with something, might have executed many iterations, much more deep thinking and analysis, connecting bits from one side to another with which we ultimately land on to a solution we are searching for. Try doing it the same way, and the results may astonish you.