| If you are going to build a motorcycle, the frame | | | | designs are better in terms of strength and rigidity. |
| determines the basic look of the bike. Of course | | | | Perimeter: These frames originated on racing |
| motorcycle frames affect not only the appearance of | | | | motorcycles. The steering head and swingarm are |
| the bike but the handling and safety of the finished | | | | joined at a very short distance, reducing flexure and |
| machine. | | | | torsion substantially. They were originally made from |
| Frames are the basic skeleton to which other | | | | steel but most are made from aluminum nowadays to |
| components are attached. They hold the motorcycle | | | | save weight. Once the advantages of this frame |
| tanks and engine and provide support to the whole | | | | were seen, they were adopted by most motorcycle |
| bike. Most frames are made of steel or aluminum but | | | | manufacturers. |
| there are also other choices such as carbon-fibre. | | | | Monocoque: Another specialty frame that is even |
| Motorcycle frames generally fall into one of several | | | | rarer than the backbone. They are very heavy and |
| categories. | | | | rigid, combining seat mounting, tank, and tail into a single |
| Single Cradle: This is the simplest of the motorcycle | | | | sturdy piece of metal. They are used almost |
| frames, a design that harks back to some of the | | | | exclusively on specialized competition bikes and are |
| earliest motorcycles ever made. It has a single large | | | | not a good choice for street bikes. |
| tube for a spine and smaller tubes that cradle the | | | | Trellis: European manufacturers came up with this |
| engine. This is commonly used on off-road bikes. A | | | | design although it is catching on in the US as well. It |
| variation is the split single cradle which is a single cradle | | | | uses many of the same construction principles as the |
| that splits into two cradles at the back for the exhaust. | | | | perimeter frame and matches it in rigidity and weight. |
| Double Cradle: An evolution of the single cradle, it uses | | | | Its distinctive look is formed by a "trellis" of short tubes |
| two cradles on either side to hold the engine. These | | | | that make up the body of the frame. It requires more |
| were commonly used on simple road bikes and some | | | | effort to manufacture than the perimeter but the result |
| custom bikes, but have mostly been supplanted by | | | | is extremely strong. |
| perimeter frames. | | | | One of the earliest decisions to make is which of |
| Backbone: These are specialty frames that are used | | | | these motorcycle frames is right for your bike. Many |
| rarely. It has a solid metal backbone and the engine | | | | of your other decisions will depend on the type of |
| hangs suspended from this. It's a simple and | | | | frame you choose so consider the options and |
| inexpensive frame with a distinctive look, but other | | | | choose wisely. |