According to Statista data, over 1.3 million motorcycles were registered in the UK from 2000-2021. Interestingly, there was a 5% rise in registrations in 20/21 as they became more popular. But, there would be far fewer of these vehicles if not for steel tubing. It is essential for creating different types of motorcycle frames. We want to have a closer look at that here, then if you need tubes, you can speak to us and order from the best ERW steel tube supplier in the West Midlands.
Frame types
Motorcycles need strong, durable frames for a number of reasons. Firstly, they have to support the weight of vital parts like the engine. Plus, they have to bear the weight of the rider and sometimes a passenger too. Secondly, they have to be able to withstand the forces and stresses when the bike is on the road. You definitely don’t want a weak frame here because it could fail under load and result in a huge accident.
Motorcycles can have one of five different types of frame; cradle, backbone, twin spar, trellis, and monocoque. The type has an impact on everything from how the bike looks to the performance and handling. All of them feature tubing in one form or another.
Tubing
Generally there are three different options for the type of tubing here. The first we know very well because we are the top ERW steel tube supplier in the West Midlands. The other two are DOM and chromium molybdenum steel (aka chrome moly).
ERW tube is the most cost effective option. It is simple to make and provides great flexibility when it comes to adapting it to suit different types of frame.
DOM tube has had extra processing, hence the name drawn over mandrel. The drawing improves the yield and tensile strength by around 20%. As a result, it is a good option for heavier, higher speed bikes.
Chrome moly is stronger still because of the additional elements in the steel alloy. So, it can be the best choice for the heaviest superbikes.
Tube sizing
ERW tubes are suitable for lots of motorcycle applications. However, as we said above, DOM and chrome moly are better in some cases. They can also offer an advantage in that you can choose tube with thinner walls. For example, instead of a 1 1/2″ ERW tube, you could go for 1 1/8″ of either of the other two. This can save weight and improve performance.
Talk to us and order from the best ERW steel tube supplier in the West Midlands
If you are looking for ERW tubing, we are one of the UK’s leading providers. It is our speciality, and we set very high standards whatever the shape, diameter, or wall thickness. In addition, we provide cutting services to deliver accurate lengths for different needs.
So, contact us today and order from the most reliable ERW steel tube supplier in the West Midlands. We have short lead times and your tubing will be ready as soon as possible.
