VOL. 51 ISSUE 31 AUGUST 5, 2014 P61
both the center of gravity and
weight distribution constant as
the fuel level drops. This makes
the Brough Superior's chassis a
true monocoque design, unlike –
say - the current Ducati Panigale
Superbike's so-called such frame
that doesn't carry the fuel in the
chassis, but in a separate tank
that's not integral with it.
The Brough also has an ultra-
light all-carbon fiber swingarm,
which allows its Penske shock to
deliver superior compliance via
significantly reduced unsprung
weight, while the radiator is posi-
tioned at the rear of the motorcycle
to minimize the bike's frontal area -
for enhanced aerodynamics.
The carbon fiber monocoque
chassis uses the Honda engine
as a stressed member, tightly
shrink-wrapped by the carbon
structure to create a motorcycle
that's only as wide as the mo-
tor. The rear-mounted radiator
means the engine can be mount-
ed 50mm further forward within
the tight 54.1 inch wheelbase,
thus helping deliver the desired
50/50 weight distribution with
the rider and 4.2 gallons of fuel
aboard – weight is 315 pounds
with just oil, water and a starter
motor, split 53.5/46.5 percent
without the rider. With the rider,
it's a 50/50 split.
Another benefit is that the sup-
ply of fresh air isn't obstructed by
the front wheel and suspension,
allowing use of a downsized,
lighter radiator. The air enters
through the gaping mouth domi-
nating the Brough's face, running
through internal ducting over the
engine and through the middle
of the fuel tank mounted behind
it, to reach the rear-mounted ra-
diator – with separate side intake
ducts feeding the airbox in which
the throttle bodies are housed.
A principal disadvantage of
conventional tele-fork front sus-
pension is stiction – when the
fork tube does not compress and
release in one fluid motion, espe-
cially at extreme lean angles. The
Brough Superior Moto2 design
counters this by separating brak-
ing and suspension forces, via a
derivation of the British-designed
SaxTrak front end from which the
comparable BMW Telelever sys-
tem was copied.
Conventional 43mm fork
tubes house fully-adjustable gas-
charged Traxxion Dynamics car-
tridges supplying conventional
damping, combined with an A-
arm mounted to a carbon com-
posite structure attached to the
engine's cylinder head.
