ShockE - Motorcycle Frame Stiffness Testing Fixture

Description:

ShockE is developing a new off-road motorcycle with groundbreaking EV propulsion technology, aiming to create a superior product competing against bikes like Surron Ultra Bee (EV) and Husqvarna TE 511 (gas). Initially, the scope of the project was to manufacture a motorcycle frame with similar properties to the motorcycles presented above, and adapted to ShockE’s battery propulsion system. However, due to the short nature of the project, that was revised and changed to building a test bed that was able to measure the torsional and bending stiffness of several existing bike frames. The objective of this test bed is to provide accurate stiffness data to serve as a benchmark for the design of the ShockE motorcycle frame. Having such data helps in further stages of the bike design, where the company can have target stiffness and deflection values.

Objectives:

• Develop test fixture that can be customized to accommodate any EV bike frame

• Manufacture spacers and torsional rods for in-house frames

• Develop or source an accurate deflection readout method

  • It should provide readings that can be used to model the frame’s stiffness profile. 

• Create a CAD model with applicable fabrication drawings for replication of the fixture

• Create operating and safety manuals for the test fixture

Focus Change:

• The earlier focus of the project was on designing an EV dirt bike frame, where the work included:

  • Designing a rough 3D design of the bike's frame, swing arm, and subframe

  • Analysis of loads and forces of impact that cause
    high stress on the bike frame

  • Analysis of the bike's center of gravity to find the optimal weight distribution 

• Integrating the analysis into the design of the bike frame