Bottpower reveal their latest 3D printed naked masterpiece
Ex-GP engineer 3D prints Fireblade-powered machine
The Bottpower Morlaco is almost ready to race now that essential parts of the bodywork have been created. If you’re not familiar with it, Bottpower is the sideproject of former GP engineer David Sanchez, which has seen Sanchez create class winning bikes from HarleyDavidsons in his spare time. Sanchez picked the Morlaco project back up last year, after stalling because the technology available at the time wasn’t up to what he needed. Using the latest software from Altair and having partnered with Optimus 3D, he’s been able to create this radical machine. At the heart of the bike is a Fireblade motor from the previous generation, so it’s already cranking out 186bhp. Sanchez has built a steel trellis frame around the engine, with a Hossack front-end. In his quest for lightness every element has been analysed to make the smallest and lightest possible shapes that are only possible with 3D printing. The latest step has seen Sanchez print the petrol tank, airbox, front mudguard, airbox intakes and subframe – all in shapes that traditional manufacturing cannot manage.
The tank is a work of genius in itself. The outer casing is made from five sheets of plastic that encase a fuel cell. The cell is a flexible bladder that is not only lighter than a traditional tank but is also safer in a crash. Inside the cell is ‘Explostop’, which is a product that resembles crunched up aluminium foil but prevents fires entering the petrol tank and causing an explosion.
All that’s left for Sanchez now is for some final finishing touches and to get the machine out on track, which Sanchez hopes can be achieved by the end of the year.
‘The Morlaco uses the lightest parts possible’