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Difference between revisions of "Motorcycle chassis"
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A '''motorcycle frame''' includes the [[head tube]] that holds the [[Motorcycle fork|front fork]] and allows it to pivot. Some motorcycles include the engine as a load-bearing (or ''stressed'') member; this has been used all through motorcycle history but is now becoming more common. The rear [[suspension]] being an integral component in the design. Frames have been made from titanium, | A '''motorcycle frame''' includes the [[head tube]] that holds the [[Motorcycle fork|front fork]] and allows it to pivot. Some motorcycles include the engine as a load-bearing (or ''stressed'') member; this has been used all through motorcycle history but is now becoming more common. The rear [[suspension]] being an integral component in the design. Frames have been made from titanium, aluminum, magnesium, steel and carbon-fiber along with a combination of these materials. | ||
The frame provides the supporting skeleton to which the components are attached. A frame must be light, strong and rigid. Although often hidden from view, made of simple materials and manufactured using simple techniques, the frame contributes as much to the "personality" of the motorcycle as any other component. To a large extent, frame geometry determines the motorcycle's handling characteristics. | |||
==Frame Materials== | ==Frame Materials== | ||
Frames are traditionally made of steel, aluminum alloy or chrome alloy. Each has its appropriate use. Aluminum alloy is one-third the weight of steel, but also one-third the strength. There is no inherent weight-to-strength advantage for aluminum or steel. Steel is used in traditional triangle frames, where the tubes can be connected in a series of triangles. Steel has properties that make it great for this purpose because it is strong and resistant to fatigue. But the tubed design does not withstand super-bike racing stresses. Aluminum can be designed in boxed tube sections that have greater stiffness for a given weight compared to steel. | |||
===Steel=== | ===Steel=== | ||
;Examples | ;Examples | ||
Norton [[Featherbed frame]] | Norton [[Featherbed frame]] | ||
Early [[Honda | Early [[Honda CBR600F]] | ||
=== | ===Aluminum=== | ||
;Examples | ;Examples | ||
[[Honda VFR750]] | [[Honda VFR750]] | ||
=== | ===Aluminum and carbon-fibre=== | ||
;Examples | ;Examples | ||
[[Bimota SB8K]] (composed of two | [[Bimota SB8K]] (composed of two aluminum alloy beams and carbon fibre plates) | ||
===Carbon Fibre=== | ===Carbon Fibre=== | ||
| Line 27: | Line 30: | ||
[[Elfr 1986]] | [[Elfr 1986]] | ||
===Magnesium and | ===Magnesium and Aluminum=== | ||
;Examples | ;Examples | ||
[[Aprilia ETV 1000]] Caponord ( | [[Aprilia ETV 1000]] Caponord (aluminum alloy welded on to aluminum-magnesium alloy castings) | ||
==Frame Types== | ==Frame Types== | ||
Modern frames on standard production motorcycles can be grouped into three basic types: tube, [[pressed steel]] and monocoque. Tube frames are historically the oldest and now the most common. Tube frames are inexpensive to manufacture yet are light weight and offer good strength and high stability at highway cruising speed. Like bicycle frames, tubed frames come in welded and "tube and lug" varieties. The welded frame is self-explanatory. The tube and lug variety fits the tubes into manufactured joints, much like a tinker toy. | |||
Frames may be either "cradle" or "spine" designs. In the cradle design, single or double downtubes support the engine in the classic bicycle "diamond" design. In a spine design, the engine literally hangs down from the frame. | |||
Pressed steel or fabricated sheet metal has been used to create "backbone" frames. These frames consist of stamped sheet metal that is welded together, as shown in the accompanying figure. It is econom-ical, but heavier and less rigid than tube designs. This makes the [[pressed steel]] frame ideal for small, inexpensive motorcycles. Although through extensive engineering and use of modern materials, [[pressed steel]] frames are also well suited for larger applications. | |||
===Pressed frame=== | ===Pressed frame=== | ||
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;Examples | ;Examples | ||
*[[ | *[[Honda C100|Honda Super Cub]] | ||
*[[Ducati 65T]] | *[[Ducati 65T]] | ||
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*[[Kawasaki ZXR750]] | *[[Kawasaki ZXR750]] | ||
===Monocoque=== | ===[[Monocoque]]=== | ||
Monocoque frames are an extension of the [[pressed steel]] frame. Monocoque frames incorporate many bike components (e.g., fuel tank, rear fender, seat pedestal, engine mount) into cast sections that com-prise the frame structure. Scooters are the classic example. | |||
Supports structural load using the external skin of the frame. | Supports structural load using the external skin of the frame. | ||
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===Trellis=== | ===Trellis=== | ||
Similar to the beam frame, connecting the steering head and swingarm pivot point directly as possible. | Similar to the beam frame, connecting the [[steering head]] and swingarm pivot point directly as possible. | ||
The frame is made up of a large number of short steel (or | The frame is made up of a large number of short steel (or aluminum) tubes welded together to form a trellis. | ||
;Examples | ;Examples | ||
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*[[Honda VTR250]] | *[[Honda VTR250]] | ||
[[Category:Motorcycle technology|Frame]] | [[Category:Motorcycle technology|Frame]] | ||
[[Category:Frames]] | |||