Lucan Project Calima V4
MACHINE: Lucan Developed Chassis
OBJECTIVE: Create MotoGP style chassis for Ducati V4 engine
In development...A Lucan designed MotoGP style Ducati V4 frame upgrade kit. A full twin spar CNC frame built around a 1100cc Ducati Panigale, or Streetfighter, V4 engine. As close to MotoGP as you can get.
Project Goals
What It Is Taking To Build Project Calima
Project Calima is being developed from the ground up to create a twin-spar frame and double sided swingarm cut from billet aluminium, and carbon strengthened at key points, for a Ducati 1100cc V4 engine. Built in the style of MotoGP bikes, using a Superbike engine, we ultimately aim to provide a frame kit available to purchase for anyone with a Ducati Panigale, or Streetfighter, V4 engine!
Our main project goals are to have a track bike weighing less than 165kg, delivering c.220bhp. A strong and lightweight frame, and double sided swingarm, resulting in rapidity and ease of setup. We'll be utilising all our tools, from 3D scanners, prototype 3D printed parts, CAD/CAM software, chassis software, plus our multiple years of experience working with production GP bikes. We want to build an uncompromised GP-inspired track bike, something we wish the main manufacturers had built. Although there are some MotoGP inspired bikes from the main manufacturers, we want to take this further, narrowing the gap to GP bikes, all while coming in at a fraction of the cost. This will be a big challenge, but this is our sole focus with this build. With new MotoGP rules coming in 2027, Project Calima will deliver a formidable machine, even compared to the mighty MotoGP bikes.
Why called Project Calima? The Calima is a wind phenomenon from Africa that blows forcefully Southwards across the Atlantic Ocean, reaching the Canary Islands, leaving everything covered in fine Saharan particles. Until we have an offical name for the frame, we believe the Calima name will keep us focused towards building a bike that will leave everything in its dust!
Developing Project Calima Build Specification:
Ducati Streetfighter V4 engine
Ohlins Factory Racing forks with RVP-25 cartridges
Brembo Racing CNC monoblock calipers P4 34/38
OZ Racing forged magnesium wheels (3.75 inch front rim, 6.0 rear) with Brembo Racing brake discs
Project Calima Build Development
We have already taken highly dimensionally accurate and detailed 3D scans of our Ducati V4 engine. We are using these scans to create a working CAD (Computer Aided Design) model, and have begun building a virtual CAD frame around the engine before embarking on the physical structure. This will be a long process where we will optomise frame design, and strength, while maximising weight reduction.
Our current development objective for the frame is to cut as large as possible single frame section pieces from 6082 aluminium. When the frame is welded together, the whole frame will go through an exceptional T6 heat treatment to retain full 6082 T6 strength, which would normally be lost through the welding process. The frame, cut from billet, will have triangulated webbing reinforced with carbon fibre at key points for maximum strength and weight saving benefits. The whole design proces will be going through FEA (Finite Element Analysis) and AI generative design, and may slightly alter development for the better. All prototype components will be 3D printed and built around the actual engine and parts, this way the design can be perfected around wiring and other ancillary parts. As the project evolves we will be updating this page with development progress.
Key parts we have decided on, and will be developing the build around, are: Ducati Streetfighter V4 engine and its ancillary parts; Ohlins RVP-25 forks for their proven race performance, light weight, and uncomplicated design; OZ forged magnesium wheels for their lightweight strength.
First Stage of Testing
In the initial phase of our testing process, we will focus on designing an adjustable triple clamp setup. This critical component will first be evaluated the on our Yamaha R9 build, while we continue refining other elements of the Calima project, currently in the design stage.
The adjustable triple clamp will provide us with the flexibility to modify the front-end geometry. This enables us to explore different handling characteristics and fine-tune performance based on the feedback we receive during testing. An essential part of motorcycle development, the front end influences stability, steering response, and rider confidence.
To commence the design, we will take into consideration a few key factors:
1. Materials: We'll select lightweight yet strong materials that can withstand the stresses of racing. Aluminium and high-strength alloys will likely feature prominently in the construction of our triple clamp.
2. Adjustability: The design will incorporate an intuitive mechanism for adjusting the offset of the triple clamps. This adjustment will affect trail and therefore handling dynamics.
3. Precision Engineering: Given the importance of precision in components that affect the safety and operability of the motorcycle, we will utilise advanced CAD software and CNC machining techniques to manufacture the clamps with tight machining tolerances.
4. Testing: Once the prototypes of the triple clamp are manufactured, we will install them on our Yamaha R9 build. Initial tests on circuits with different characteristics will help us gauge their performance, depending on rider input and handling feedback.
Throughout this process we can troubleshoot issues and iterate designs quickly. We anticipate challenges, such as weight optimisation versus strength and finding the right balance of adjustability that caters to a range of riders.
This adjustable triple clamp setup marks a significant step in our project, enabling us to gather valuable performance data that will influence the development of other components of Calima while they are still being developed.
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