This is very first stage of chopping in setting up for the soon to come hard tail. The gas tank mounting bracket is currently attached to the part of the frame that I'm about to cut off so I'll have to remove it and place it forward by flipping it around 180 degrees so I can weld it back on with out it changing the tank position. You can see I've already cut the right side. To see it better just click the pic to enlarge it.
Chopping and lopping!
So now I just need to weld in my tubing after a little more cutting, I drew in a rough sketch of where I want the pipe for the hard tail (below). And it looks like I'll be cutting off a lot more on the vertical supports on the frame.
It looks like I'm going to have to go get some more supplies, like a good grinder and maybe some more reciprocating saw blades.
I trimmed down those vertical supports and with the purchase of a good grinder ground down the existing weld left from the previous frame configuration.
After receiving a few emails concerning the subject of how the frame mounts to the final drive I came up with this I did it in paint so please excuse the drawings. So click the picture if you want it enlarged.
It looks like I'm going to have to go get some more supplies, like a good grinder and maybe some more reciprocating saw blades.
I trimmed down those vertical supports and with the purchase of a good grinder ground down the existing weld left from the previous frame configuration.
After receiving a few emails concerning the subject of how the frame mounts to the final drive I came up with this I did it in paint so please excuse the drawings. So click the picture if you want it enlarged.
when setting up your ride height did you swing arm angle down, up, or level with the bottom of the frame?
ReplyDeleteI made it level. You probably noticed on yours before the shocks are removed that the swing arm is slightly angled down, that way if there is a load on the bike the swing arm can move slightly above level. However now that the bike is rigid, you don't really have to worry about that being a issue, so you can even have a angle slightly up if you would like the bike to sit a little lower. I went with level to avoid any stain on the drive shaft.
ReplyDeleteShop
Yesterday disassemble the tail of my bike XS1100 1979. Please tell me how many inches are between the ground and the frame under the engine. I want to make as yours.
ReplyDeleteGangster Gary,
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the disassemble! What will make people like your bike is it being unique, and well... To be honest that's the key to any build it has to be you, your style, your signature something that screams "Gary built the poop out of that beast!" So make a note of the stock drive line angle with the shocks on (it should be slightly down) and then you know that you have at least that much angle in the opposite direction as the bike lowers (preferably on a floor jack or something,or some strong friends), then you can then make it any height in-between that range, if you make the drive line angle slightly up it will be super low. Doing that will make in unique to you because it will be where you what it, not where some guy with a super awesome web page and wicked sideburns says. So don't make it a copy, make it a custom, and good luck. Now go get crazy, but not too crazy that tends to creep people out.
Shop
Yes I know the sideburns are wicked.
So when my buddy welded my bike I was paranoid about the weld being on such a small surface. So we used the bottom end of the shock right at the bead line for the straight tube. We cut it kept the original shock to eyelet weld , then welded a inner sleeve that was about 10" long in case of a broken weld while riding just to save my a**.
ReplyDeleteHOLY CRAP WHERE DO I START??? CUTTING AROUND ON THE FRAME REMOVING THE SHOCKS AND PUTTING A DIFFERENT SEAT ON? Can anyone do this? I mean i can weld and i have commen sense but this shit is gettin in there!!!!! And if i dont do this my bike will never look cool!!! When I get to this part I might have some more questions :)
ReplyDeleteGuitarlos,
ReplyDeleteThat's the key! Do do whatever makes you feel comfortable. Thick wall pipe and good welds combined with limited pot holes, and small to medium jumps and your good to go. Just stay away from the big jumps those aren't even good for a soft tail bike.
Kill for the brewski,
ReplyDeleteIt only looks intimidating, or unsafe, or idiotic but over time that all wears off or a frame tube breaks and you skid slow painful stop. But at the end of the day that has to be a chance that your not willing to take. So beef everything up and you'll be set up for success. When the questions come just shoot me a email through the contact box. Good luck!
I just received a my first negative comment after over 22,000 views. So I deleted it. I know that it's a free country that enables a person to say what a he or she wants, but that same freedom enables me to to like wise and delete the uneducated profane ramblings of a idiot, God bless America. And thank you everybody else that has supported me in this project.
ReplyDelete