Design of a High-Performance Composite Triple Clamp of Motorbike

Abstract

A simple and novel design concept for a CFRP composite triple clamp of a motorbike is brought out for low mass that fulfills the stiffness and strength requirement when compared to an existing steel triple clamp. In general, for any triple clamp configuration, the ideal fibre angle is chosen as the angle that subtends in the arm of the clamp with respect to the longitudinal direction (a line connecting the two fork holes). The initial design configuration is fabricated using a commercially available low modulus bi- directional carbon–epoxy laminate and tested for the evaluation of axial and transverse stiffnesses. Finite element model is then verified through the test data. Using the validated FE model, a new design with the high modulus carbon-fiber is arrived at. The proposed composite design suitable for high performance motorbike that possesses, high margin over critical load case with low mass when compared to steel clamp is provided.