As you point out, this is an important distinction. I was thinking
perhaps measuring from the crank centerline would be the best way to
measure ground clearance potential. The crank centerline and therefore
input shaft centerline will always be the same relative to each other,
and therefore provide a great absolute measure. If the distance below
the crank centerline for one engine is greater than for another, it's
ground clearance potential is lower, it will then only be the
implementation/cradle mounting that will determine actual clearance.
I have a strong interest in eliminating as much speculation on this
type of thing as possible and I'm glad that others are interested in
doing so as well.

In our 3d point cloud setup. Everything is taken relative to the frame
rails of the van itself, so that also eliminates the springs or indeed
wheels/tires in the comparison.  I'm going to get my point cloud data
to Clint and see if he can't help get the undercarriage "mappings"
into 3d contours to aid in comparison.

Jim Akiba

On 7/26/07, neil N <musomuso@gmail.com> wrote:
> I might be totally missing the point on what you said Jim, but to
> simplify things re ground clearance.....
>
> Could one give a spec for distance from bottom of sub frame where
> cradle or engine bar mounts to, to the bottom (centre) of a given
> engine?
>
> Obviously not of interest to most customers, but would take the
> sagging springs etc. out of the equation and would give a consistent
> point to measure from.
>
> Neil.
>
> 81 air cooled Westy.
>
>
> On 7/26/07, Jim Akiba <syncrolist@bostig.com> wrote:
> > Hi Guys,
> >
> > Here are some answers:
>
> SNIP
>
> > I've been thinking
> > about ways to provide a better and more accurate way to measure/show
> > ground clearance,
>
> SNIP
>
>
> >
> >
> > On 7/26/07, Jim Felder <felder@knology.net> wrote:
> >
> > > On Jul 25, 2007, at 11:40 PM, Oxroad@aol.com wrote:
>
> SNIP
>
>
> > > > To the Bostig:
> > > >
> > > > The literature says it has better than stock ground clearance. In
> > > > photos on the website it looks like it dips a little lower. This
> > > > may be because the configuration of the waterboxer muffler in the
> > > > stock set up creates certain optical "allusions" that break of the
> > > > site line. So is the ground clearance truly better?
> > > >
>
> SNIP
>