Inspiration

I was inspired by the futuristic lightcycles from TRON and wanted to turn that fictional design into a practical engineering concept. Rather than simply recreating the appearance of the bike, I wanted to develop a chassis that could support a functional vehicle. This project gave me an opportunity to combine my interest in mechanical engineering, CAD design, and fabrication while exploring how a science-fiction vehicle could be translated into real-world geometry.

What it does

The project is a 3D CAD model of a TRON-inspired lightcycle chassis designed around a long, narrow motorcycle-style layout. The initial design uses an overall target length of 100 inches, a width of 23 inches, a wheel radius of 15 inches, and a seat height of 28.5 inches. The model includes a tubular frame, crossmembers, structural braces, wheel hoops, axle locations, and seat supports.

The goal is to create a connected chassis concept that accommodates rotating wheels while providing a foundation for future steering, drivetrain, seating, and bodywork designs. The current model is a conceptual design, not a physically tested or road-ready vehicle.

How we built it

We developed the chassis using CAD modeling, starting with the overall proportions and wheel placement before constructing the structural frame. We added longitudinal frame rails, crossmembers, and triangulated braces to create a connected framework. Separate wheel and axle components were incorporated to help visualize how the assembly would fit together.

We then refined the geometry to make the frame more cohesive, connect the structural members, and reduce unnecessary protrusions that could interfere with the wheels. The model was designed around tubular members, with the main frame tubes approximately 0.96 inches in diameter and the wheel hoops approximately 0.84 inches in diameter.

Throughout the process, we iterated on the design to move beyond a simple visual recreation and toward a mechanically plausible assembly.

Challenges we ran into

One of the biggest challenges was translating a futuristic reference design into a chassis with realistic geometry. A frame can look correct from the outside while still having disconnected members, unsupported sections, or components that interfere with moving parts.

Another challenge was balancing the bike's distinctive appearance with practical wheel clearance and structural connectivity. Each revision required considering how the frame, axles, and wheels would interact. We also had to distinguish between geometry that looked convincing in CAD and geometry that would actually be strong, manufacturable, and safe in a physical vehicle.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

We are proud of developing a detailed, connected chassis concept from a visual reference rather than stopping at a basic sketch. The project incorporates defined overall dimensions, tubular frame members, structural bracing, wheel hoops, axle components, and seat supports.

We also improved the model through iterative refinement, focusing on attachment points, overall geometry, and the relationship between the frame and rotating wheels. Most importantly, the project helped transform a science-fiction-inspired idea into a more tangible engineering design that can serve as a starting point for further development.

What we learned

This project taught us that effective mechanical design requires more than making a model look accurate. Every component must have a purpose, structural members must connect appropriately, and moving parts need sufficient clearance throughout their range of motion.

We also learned the value of iterative CAD development. Identifying interference, revising geometry, and checking the assembly as a whole are essential steps toward creating a functional design. Future work will focus on verifying wheel rotation and clearance, refining the steering and drivetrain layouts, and evaluating structural strength, material selection, and manufacturability before attempting a physical prototype.