In the previous blog post around the frame concept, the preliminary version was already shown. In order to maintain construction flexibility, and knowing that things probably will not be “first time right”, the final frame design consist of multiple bolted-on subframes (different colors in the pictures), that can easily be disassembled and modified when needed. The red color indicates what is re-used from the initial Ducati frame.

The Donor… Zero versus Ducati

Thanks to modern CAD tools as e.g. Solidworks, the conversion from side view sketch to 3D model is not too hard. Using the "sketch picture" tool eases this process a lot. Although there's quite some surface functionality in Solidworks, I prefer to  limit the use of surfaces as much as possible.

Luckily today's technology allows us to design and simulate idea's in a digital model, before constructing anything physical.  This surely will save time and money. 

Product development is all about finding many solutions, analysing and evaluating each of them, and continuing with the best compromise. 

In the final design,  I want to get rid of the gap that is seen on almost every motorbike, between the front fender and the front of the bike, to allow the  suspension travel of the front wheel.

Realizing that I had little knowledge about electronics, and without the ambition to become an electronic engineer, I decided that the easier way was to use a ZERO motorcycles bike as donor for my project. The only electric-related problem would be to lengthen some cables. :-).

Not much happened with my Feet Forward idea, except from popping-up occasionally in my own mind, untill 2012.  More and  more electric motorcycles were entering the market, and that triggered me to continue the project based on an electric drivetrain, instead of an ICE. 

Late 1990's, I was playing with the idea of converting my old Honda Revere 650 into a "feet forward motorcycle".