Motorcycle Exoskeleton

Basic motorbike frame design has not changed much over the past few decades (if in fact ever). It’s basically a beefed up diamond pushbike frame. Of course there have been many refinements, the Norton featherbed used twin tubes and since the Vincent Black Shadow, some bikes have used the engine/gearbox assembly as a stressed member. I wouldn’t deny that design has improved with much greater rigidity, but essentially, even with cast elements, the structure is an internal frame

Most bikes now have some aerodynamic and rider weather-protection fairings. These are essentially bolt on fibre-glass mouldings. Why not scrap the tubular frame and make an aerodynamic, structurally stressed shell? This would be made of a similar lightweight sandwich construction as the tub of the Lotus Elise. The engine and drive components would be bolted to the inside of the shell and could also be stressed. For ease of maintenance, it could be hinged like a clam shell.

I believe this would make for a lightweight motorbike with pure clean lines. Of course the macho elements of exposed machinery: polished gearbox casings, aggressive cylinder block finning and “look at me – how many chromed exhaust downpipes I’ve got” would be missing, replaced by elegant ducting and a less-is-more aesthetic.