motorcycle computer

[upho366]

i have been kicking around the idea lately of using the frame of a motorcycle as the case for my next computer, i think it could be pretty cool, and unique.
i was wondering if anyone would know where i could find measurements of different motorcycle frames.
im looking at "regular" or street bike frames, chopper frames seem too boring and the wrong shape for my taste, and racing bike frames are so sparce and alien looking compared to regular frames that it would be hard to make it look like a motorcycle frame with computer parts in it.
any thoughts are more than welcome, if i can sketch up an idea ill post that to give you a better idea of my thoughts.

[Sev]

That's going to end up being something like a 150lb computer that takes up a LOT of space? Plus the frame alone is going to be a couple hundred dollars as opposed to $30 to $100 for a case. If you want a really cool idea, then bolt all the components to the bottem of a table. Easy access for modifications and stuff, and it's totally stealth.

I've seen a couple of these in my time.

[upho366]

the question is:
have you ever seen a motorcycle comptuer?

case and point

-originally i was thiking of using a pocket bike frame, but i really want a lot of space inside the beast so...


i also currently have a small computer, and am fed up with it, whenever i try to do the simplest thing like plug in the audio cable from my cd drive to the motherboard it takes at least an hour, or swapping out the hard drive, you need to take EVERYTHING out of it first, cd drive, floppy, the pci and agp cards, then go through some acrobatic stunts with the hard drive to get it out... UGH totally fed up with all that, i dont care how much i weighs, ill put it on casters if i have to, or better yet throw on a set of bike wheels to complete the design
anyway, it is not like i am moving my desktop around on a daily basis.

[iwannadie]

use a gas tank, a frame just makes no sense, even if it never been done before. but if your really set on it i guess go for it. but where would you put it or how would you use it? not like it would be hard, a frame is huge. going inside a gas tank and putting a flush mount lcd on the top/side would actually look Cool sitting on a desk. instead of a frame sitting on the floor with some wires coming out of it.

could probally even market and sell to people, HD lovers would want one, or a cool ducati tank etc...

[dr_bar]

Maybe if you've seen one, or have a picture of one, you could post it so we have an idea of what you're trying to do....

[upho366]

that gas tank idea is nice, too small for me, that is exactly what i am trying to get away from, but ill still be looking into it because i am obsessed with building computers.
ill try to get a sketch up sooner rather than later, i have never seen one (one reason it is intreaguing to me) and i have been looking for specs on a frame, measurements and stuff so i could get a proper sketch, but i guess some chicken scratch is better than nothing.

if you know where i can get measurements for bike frames that would be awsome.

-thanks for the interest

[Joe Mc]

I'd head down to the local motorcycle wreckers with measuring tape in hand.

Not sure a frame is all that interesting though.

I think it'd be alot cooler if the frame had forks, wheels, gas tank, handlebars, etc. so it looked like a motorbike. How about an old trail bike?

On second thought, screw the computer, leave the motor in there and ride it. That'd be even cooler.


Nice choice of bikes by the way. Love my '78 Hawk! I've never seen another orange one. Mine came from the US so perhaps we never got orange ones in Canada.

[upho366]

ya, i was thinking of throwing front forks on it at least, i also want to water cool it, so i was thinking of using the tank as the water resevoir or something of the sort.

your bike looks a lot nicer than mine does tho poor college student + no garage = not happy bike

ill just measure my frame, that is quick... why didnt i think of that sooner ?

[TechTMW]

Just use a whole room like they did with ENIAC

Seriously, though. I dunno if you can find a newish wrecked Buell, but that frame has a built in fuel tank - for your watercooling reservoir maybe??

[prodigalfletch]

I'd say, make it look nice and neet,"maybe run some chords through the tubing if need be". Bottom line... I'ts a cool idea... nobody has one... Make It Happen...

ROCK ON!!!