Condition of the Motorcycle Steering Head Assembly after Crash Testing

Motorcycle crash tests are conducted for various reasons. Some tests are designed to focus on rider kinematics, while other tests are designed to focus on vehicle damage and post-impact dynamics. Often, tests are documented and conducted in such a way that data can be collected for multiple purposes. Through the use of two different motorcycle crash testing series, data has been collected for the purpose of studying the post-impact condition of the motorcycle steering head assembly after a frontal impact. The steering head research investigated the damage patterns related to known impact configurations and speeds and to determine if any relationship existed between the post-impact fastener torques and the pre-impact fastener torques for several steering heads assembled according to manufacturer's specification. Relevant fastener torques were measured and recorded prior to and after the collision tests. The motorcycle steering assemblies were also photographically documented prior to and after the tests. Relevant fastener torques and condition of tested steering assemblies will be presented. The results of this analysis will then be discussed in the context of accident reconstruction and what can be determined about the accident conditions as well as the condition of the steering head assembly and relevant fastener torques prior to an accident.