Page 1 of 1

Frameless frame

Posted: Mon Aug 31, 2015 11:33 pm
by mike_mn
Does anyone have any experience building a frameless frame, meaning the motor is a structural part of the frame with no down tubes other than to connect to the top of the engine? I am doing some reaserch on whether or not it would be feasible with an old goldwing engine, since it has 4 mounting points on each side, I was hoping to let that big timing cover hang out in the open without down tubes. Only found one example of an old kaw while searching, but not much info on it.

Re: Frameless frame

Posted: Tue Sep 01, 2015 6:01 pm
by hansgoudzwaard
Well?
Well?
hondaconcept.JPG (82.48 KiB) Viewed 10109 times
&&&

Re: Frameless frame

Posted: Tue Sep 01, 2015 11:54 pm
by mike_mn
I am impressed you found one. Not as simple or elegant as I would hope to do it, but it does lend a bit of credibility to the idea. Thanks for the reply.

Re: Frameless frame

Posted: Wed Sep 02, 2015 1:12 am
by hansgoudzwaard
mike_mn wrote: but it does lend a bit of credibility to the idea. Thanks for the reply.
You could easily "recreate/reverse engineer " this in a early Buell or Ducati style frame, using small diameter tubing .

I originally saw this image online 15 years ago. I have liked it ever since.

Re: Frameless frame

Posted: Wed Sep 02, 2015 5:11 am
by gearhead1951
Do a little research on the Vincent motorcycle ! Remove the engine/trans and all that is left is a small pile of parts that constitute the "frame" !!

Re: Frameless frame

Posted: Wed Sep 02, 2015 9:25 am
by mike_mn
gearhead1951 wrote:Do a little research on the Vincent motorcycle ! Remove the engine/trans and all that is left is a small pile of parts that constitute the "frame" !!
Odd that I never noticed that. My avatar is Rollie Free doing his world land speed record run on a Vincent Black Lightning in his underware...gotta love the Vincent's...

Re: Frameless frame

Posted: Tue Sep 08, 2015 2:11 pm
by gww25
Keep in mind that frames like this are designed around powerplants that have also been designed to become a structural element. Not all motor/tranny assemblies will qualify or be up to the task of handling the stress of becoming part of the frame.

Re: Frameless frame

Posted: Fri Sep 11, 2015 5:09 pm
by hansgoudzwaard
gww25 wrote:Keep in mind that frames like this are designed around powerplants that have also been designed to become a structural element. Not all motor/tranny assemblies will qualify or be up to the task of handling the stress of becoming part of the frame.
Good advice, I did not think of that. The castings may not be strong enough in the mount areas.

Re: Frameless frame

Posted: Sat Sep 12, 2015 6:07 pm
by gearhead1951
Use multiple mount areas , create struts between two points that you think need to share the load , THINK and do your research and ask as many questions as you have to !

That's what we are here for !

Re: Frameless frame

Posted: Thu May 12, 2016 8:54 am
by Russ
Hello,

Don't know if it's of any help but a British guy called Twizzle built a frameless Triumph some years back. He used the exhaust as a stressed member. If you google Twizzle custom bikes you should be able to find him

Re: Frameless frame

Posted: Thu May 12, 2016 10:50 am
by Dusty-Dave
I certainly wouldn't tie to the heads like Vincent did on an engine without cylinder studs that went all the way from case to the head. Image
But with a little thought n where to attach I would think most engines would work for a frame member.
Dusty

Re: Frameless frame

Posted: Fri May 13, 2016 11:40 am
by hansgoudzwaard
If this is yours, do you have more details or build pics?

Re: Frameless frame

Posted: Fri May 13, 2016 8:28 pm
by Dusty-Dave
Not mine I grabbed the pic off the net to illustrate how Vincent did it. I did get to ride a Black Shadow a few years ago, it was amazing! It handled way better than the magazines said.

Re: Frameless frame

Posted: Sat May 14, 2016 9:45 pm
by Customize IT
Russ wrote:Hello,

Don't know if it's of any help but a British guy called Twizzle built a frameless Triumph some years back. He used the exhaust as a stressed member. If you google Twizzle custom bikes you should be able to find him
Twizzle is a Legend and a Master builder!

Here are some of Twizzle's frames of this type.

He uses only stress member sport bike engines designed for it in the castings. My Busted Rubber bike was inspired by his frames.

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Re: Frameless frame

Posted: Sun May 15, 2016 9:55 pm
by hansgoudzwaard
Image


Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Reminds me of Ron Finch.