Lateral Frame Concept

[markmartin]

The 'Lateral Frame Concept' phase that is on the fairing of the early FJ's has got me thinking.   There sure are a lot of bikes with the similar frame style or concept now.

Was the FJ the first to use this type of frame?

[FJ Flyer]

Doesn't it say "perimeter" frame concept?   

[jwh]

Isn't it about how the frame goes around the headstock that was the new bit of design for the fj frame?, certainly makes it tough but not sure how many other bikes use that design?.

[SlowOldGuy]

Perimeter and lateral frame are the same thing.
Yamaha developed it on their race bikes.  The FJ was one of the first to use it, but probably not the first.

Just about all the "performance" bikes use a perimeter style frame.  With the forward canted cylinders and downdraft intakes, the space directly above the engine is needed for aix box space. 

There are still a few bikes that use the old "backbone" type frame.  I think the ZX-14 has a BB frame.  The gen-1 FZ1 also has a backbone, makes working on the top of the motor a pain.  Gen-2 FZ1 is perimeter style.

Also, everyone is using aluminum these days.

DavidR.

[FJmonkey]

Doesn't it say "perimeter" frame concept?   

MoparMan's 86' has "Lateral Frame Concept", it was sold in Canada eh...

[Arnie]

I believe it was a copy of the Bimota YB(#x?) that used a very similar design.
I think it was the first to be used on a "mass produced" bike.

Arnie

[moparman70]

as FJmonkey says - in Canada it was Lateral and Perimeter was on the US bikes --- I believe over the pond and down in Aussie land it is also Lateral .... only US just had to be different.

it was a new thing for the day --- anytime they advertise it on the vehicle it is new for the day.  How many cars do you see with Fuel Injection written on them ...but when it was brand new you knew about it.

stevecc