01
Bore alignment drifts after three setups
A fork clamp machined on 3-axis floods needs three fixtures. Each re-clamp adds stack-up. The bores come out parallel on paper and 0.04 mm off in the frame, so the fork legs bind in the sliders.
5-Axis CNC · Motorcycle Components
Motorcycle Parts 5 Axis CNC Machining Service
One setup, five faces. We machine triple clamps, engine covers, fork brackets and swingarm plates to ±0.005 mm, then inspect every part before it ships.
16 simultaneous 5-axis centers±0.005 mmRa 0.8–1.6 μmNo MOQ12-hour quote3–5 day shipping
16Simultaneous 5-axis centers
±0.005 mmAchievable tolerance
4,000 mmMaximum part size
99.99%Qualification rate
Where it goes wrong
Why components fail at the machining stage
Four failures we see on incoming drawings and first articles.
02
Thin walls move under clamping
Engine covers and cases run 1.5–2 mm wall thickness. A vise jaw tight enough to hold the blank will distort it. The part springs back after unclamping and the sealing face no longer sits flat.
03
Cosmetic surfaces get re-worked twice
A visible cover comes off the mill with tool marks and a witness line from the previous setup. Someone polishes it by hand, the edge radius goes uneven, and the anodized finish highlights every pass.
04
Prototype lead time eats the test window
Track testing is booked weeks out. If the first bracket set takes a month, the dyno slot is gone. We quote in 12 hours, start production in 24, and ship in 3–5 days.
How we hold the geometry
Five-axis machining built around the part, not the fixture
Two capabilities that decide whether a motorcycle component fits first time.
Setup reduction
One setup for five faces
A triple clamp has bores, a stem bore, caliper mounts and a steering stop on four different faces. On a 3-axis machine that is four fixtures and four datum transfers. On a simultaneous 5-axis center the table tilts and rotates, so we reach all of them from one clamped position.
Fewer setups means fewer places for error to enter. Bore-to-bore alignment, stem-to-fork perpendicularity and caliper mount position all come off the same datum. The rotary table is Ø400 mm, which covers most clamps, yokes and linkage plates in one load.
- 1One datum, five facesNo re-clamp between the fork bores and the caliper mounts.
- 2Ø400 mm rotary tableCovers triple clamps, yokes, linkage plates and small covers.
- 3Simultaneous motionThe tool stays normal to the surface on contoured faces.
Thin walls and finishes
Clamping light, cutting clean
Thin-wall covers and cases need the load taken out of the cut, not out of the vise. We use light radial engagement at higher spindle speed, supported by soft jaws or a custom nest that matches the blank profile. The wall stays where the drawing puts it.
Surface finish is set at the same time. A 0.8–1.6 μm Ra passes straight to anodizing without hand polishing. Where a part is visible, we plan the toolpath so passes run in one direction and the witness line sits on a hidden face.
- 1Soft jaws and nestsClamping load spread over the blank profile, not two points.
- 2Ra 0.8–1.6 μm as machinedReady for anodizing, powder coating or black oxide.
- 3Planned toolpath directionCosmetic faces stay consistent after finishing.
Choosing a process
When 5-axis is the right call, and when it is not
The decision usually comes down to face count, wall thickness and quantity.
| Part type | 5-axis | 3-axis + fixtures |
|---|---|---|
| Triple clamp with bores on four faces | One setup, best fit | Four setups, alignment risk |
| Thin-wall engine cover | Light engagement, nest support | Vise distortion likely |
| Flat bracket, two faces | Works, may cost more | Cheaper per part at volume |
| Prototype set, under 10 pieces | No fixture cost | Fixture cost per revision |
| Long swingarm plate, 4,000 mm | Fits the large travel | Needs a large bed mill |
What we machine
Component families we run
Aluminium and stainless dominate. Titanium and steel show up on stressed parts.
01
Triple clamps and yokes
6061-T6 and 7075 clamps with fork bores, stem bore and caliper mounts machined from one datum. Hardcoat anodizing available.
02
Engine covers and cases
Thin-wall covers, clutch and stator housings, and case halves in ADC12 or 6061. Sealing faces held flat.
03
Frame brackets and mounts
Engine mounts, coil brackets and subframe tabs. Flat parts quoted per piece with no fixture charge.
04
Exhaust flanges and manifolds
Stainless 304 and 316 flanges, plus titanium TC4 parts where heat and weight matter.
05
Suspension and linkage
Linkage plates, shock clevises and swingarm inserts in 7075 or 4130 steel, bores held to ±0.005 mm.
06
Custom trim and kit parts
Footpegs, levers, bar ends and one-off kit components from one piece to 10,000+.
Scope and limits
Capacity and material range
Numbers you can check a drawing against before you send it.
| Item | Range |
|---|---|
| Tolerance | ±0.005 mm (±0.0002 in) |
| Surface finish | Ra 0.2–0.8 μm fine, Ra 1.6–3.2 μm as machined |
| Maximum part size | 4,000 mm, travel 4,000 × 400 × 150 mm |
| Medium travel | 750 × 1,150 × 550 mm |
| Aluminium | 6061, 7075, 2024, 6082, ADC12 |
| Stainless | 303, 304, 316L, 17-4PH, 440C |
| Steel | 4130, 4140, 4340, 1018, 1045 |
| Titanium | TA1, TA2, TC4 (Ti-6Al-4V) |
Why GreatLight
What the shop floor actually gives you
15Y
Machining since 2011
Three wholly-owned plants in Dongguan and Singapore, 7,600 m² total, 150 technicians on the floor.
16
Simultaneous 5-axis centers
Backed by 12 four-axis mills, 27 three-axis machines and 16 mill-turn centers for the turning work.
±0.005
Millimeters, not a claim
100% inspection before shipment with raw material check, in-process monitoring and final inspection.
12H
Quote and DFM analysis
Send a STEP file and we return a quotation plus free DFM notes within 12 hours. Production can start in 24.
1–10,000+
No minimum order quantity
One prototype or a 10,000-part run on the same process. No fixture charge on flat brackets.
ISO
Four certifications
ISO 9001:2015, IATF 16949:2016, ISO 13485:2016 and ISO 27001:2022 cover quality, automotive and data security.
7,600 m²Manufacturing space
127High-precision CNC machines
150Technicians
<2%Historical late-delivery risk
What industries require
Requirements we machine against
Motorsport and track kits
Repeated bores across a linkage set, so arms swap without shimming.
- ±0.005 mm bores
- Ra 0.8–1.6 μm
- One setup
Engine and drivetrain
Sealing faces held flat on thin-wall covers, no post-polish needed.
- 1.5 mm wall
- 100% inspection
- 6061-T6
Aftermarket kit parts
Low-volume runs from one piece, same tolerance as the production batch.
- No MOQ
- 3–5 day shipping
- Anodized finish
FAQs
Questions from engineers and buyers
Which motorcycle parts actually need 5-axis?
Parts with features on three or more faces, or with bores that must stay aligned to each other. Triple clamps, yokes, linkage plates and covers with angled ports are the usual cases.
A flat two-face bracket does not gain much. On those we quote 3-axis, because the fixture cost is low and the cycle time is shorter.
Can you hold ±0.005 mm on a thin aluminium cover?
Yes, but the clamping method decides it. We support the wall with soft jaws or a nest cut to the blank profile and take light radial cuts at higher spindle speed.
If a feature sits on a 1 mm wall with no support, we will tell you before quoting rather than after the first article fails.
What do you need to quote a motorcycle part?
A STEP or IGES file, the material, the quantity, and any tolerance callouts that differ from the drawing default. Finish and anodizing color help but can come later.
Quotation and free DFM analysis come back within 12 hours. Production can start within 24 hours of approval.
How do you handle anodizing and cosmetic faces?
We machine cosmetic surfaces to Ra 0.8–1.6 μm so they pass straight to anodizing without hand polishing. Clear, color, hardcoat and conductive anodizing are all available.
Toolpath direction is planned so visible faces read consistently. Laser marking has a minimum character height of 1.5 mm.
Is there a minimum order quantity?
No. We run from one prototype to 10,000+ parts. The same machines and inspection process apply to both ends of that range.
For flat brackets there is no fixture charge, so a single-piece prototype does not carry a setup penalty.
How do you protect our designs?
Uploads are secure and confidential, and we sign an NDA on request. ISO 27001:2022 covers how we handle customer data.
Every part carries a traceable record from material receipt to final inspection.
What is the shipping timeline?
Parts ship in 3–5 days after production starts. The historical late-delivery probability is below 2%.
We use real-time logistics tracking. If a schedule is at risk we tell you when we see it, not after the date passes.
Which materials do you keep in stock for motorcycle work?
Aluminium 6061, 6061-T6, 2024, 6082, 7075 and ADC12; stainless 303, 304, 316L, 17-4PH and 440C; steel 4130, 4140, 4340 and 1045; titanium TA2 and TC4.
Inconel and magnesium AZ31B or AZ91D are available on request.
Send a STEP file, get a quote in 12 hours
Quotation and free DFM analysis within 12 hours. No minimum order quantity, 100% inspection before shipment.
12-hour quote100% inspectionNo MOQ3–5 day shipping
