With some free time before his flight to Maker Faire Prague, Ivan Miranda chose to fill it with something ambitious rather than rest. He set out to design and build the smallest motorbike an adult could comfortably ride, yet compact enough to pack into a standard suitcase for air travel. The result became one of the most talked-about attractions once he reached the event.
The entire project took roughly ten working days to complete, from the first sketch to the finished machine. Every decision had to be made with only two clear rules in mind: the bike had to fit within the given size limit and sturdy enough to support an adult rider’s weight and speed. Miranda was determined that the bike should act like a full-sized motorcycle when turning, with a natural lean in rather than feeling like a toy or a racing go-kart.
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He began with ordinary lawn mower wheels for the rolling stock because they work well for mowing grass but don’t do well for leaning on pavement. What’s the solution? He created custom rims that are far slimmer than usual. When the tire inflates, there isn’t much area for the sidewalls to bulge outwards, so the contact patch smooth out just enough for steady corners and predictable handling.
The bike’s main frame is made up of individual 3D-printed components that connect together to produce a robust, rigid chassis. The foot platforms, battery mounts, and structural beams were all produced on beds at least 300mm wide. He took additional special care to print orientation in critical regions, ensuring that the layer lines matched the forces they were anticipated to withstand. Finally, the finished frame is lightweight while being sturdy enough to support a rider at high speeds without flexing or creaking.
Getting the steering right was difficult because the front fork and steering column must withstand significant weight when turning, especially on uneven ground. Miranda had a sponsor step up and create an ultra light aluminum shaft and bearing stack for the version he flew with, keeping the weight down while offering added strength. In a later edition, he replaced that assembly with fully 3D-printed pieces, axles included, so builders wouldn’t need to rely on external components and could complete the bike entirely on their own printer.
The bike is powered by two standard power tool batteries that are connected to deliver approximately 36 volts to the drive system. A printed motor mount keeps the drive unit low in the frame and has a built-in tensioner for the toothed belt that connects to the rear wheel. A brake disc is mounted directly to the wheel hub, while the caliper is carried by a separate printed bracket. It’s a brilliant design that provides a lot of acceleration and reliable stopping power in a small package.
Lights run on a lower voltage thanks to a tiny DC converter that reduces the primary battery voltage to a comfortable 12 volts, allowing normal bulbs and sockets to be used all over without issue. At the back of the bike, there is a handy tail light connector tucked away in the rear fender, which makes the wiring seem neat and maintenance easy. The seat received some extra TLC to make it more comfy for prolonged journeys. Miranda built it with some give from the flexible filament, as he experimented with a solid design and one that could be filled with soft things, but ultimately chose the one that felt supportive without making the seat feel like it was going to come off.
When it comes to practical features, the innovative kickstand is the cherry on top. It comes out with a strong click and stays exactly where you put it owing to a bearing and some spring in the printed mechanism. The feet even contain soft TPU padding to protect the floor and keep the bike stable while parked. After you remove the batteries, the bike weighs just over 14 kilograms, which, along with its compact size, allows you to simply check it in or take it as hand luggage. When Miranda arrived in Prague, all he had to do was open up the suitcase, put a few pieces together, and before you knew it, makers were lining up to try out the new bike.
