This is educational?

As a matter of fact, it is educational! A lot of design work, machining, welding, and fabrication go into making a custom motorcycle.......at least if you want the final product to be unique.

Unlike many motorcycles on the road, this bike will have many one-of-a-kind parts that are being manufactured in our own shop. The students are using CAD (Computer Aided Drafting) and Solid modeling programs to design many components. These are specialized software programs that we currently use within the Industrial Studies programs.

These two software programs are also key for helping to write the CNC programs for our Vertical machining center, turning center, and tool room mill. These are highly advanced machines that require a working knowledge of both metal cutting and computer use.

Students also use critical thinking skills for solving problems and things as simple as the proper order for assembly of the motorcycle.

Then, of course, we have everyone's favorite: MATH

Because we are using a frame with more rake (angle of the front forks as compared to a vertical line) than a factory motorcycle, we have to manufacture the front fork components to account for the change in steering geometry. With this in mind, students have to use Trigonometry to determine the angle needed to correct the trail. Items that factor into these problems are: Rake, offset, tire diameter, fork length, frame height, etc.

if you would like to learn more, feel free to contact us with your questions!