Topic: Bouncy Forks, 74 cb550

[pirate4pleasure]

Just out of curiosity, could you measure the approximate distance from the old shock mounts on the swinger to the ones on the frame?

I moved the upper mount location too so Im not sure I know where that is anymore exactly. I will take some measurements tonight and maybe I could compare them to some others rides.

[Duke McDukiedook]

A front fork brace will really help if you plan on riding this hack job at highway speeds.

[pirate4pleasure]

A front fork brace will really help if you plan on riding this hack job at highway speeds.

its a project, and yes im working on a brace and stabilizer. thanks for the support, or bastardization as Im sure you see it.

[thrutheframe]

With the rear up, you have decreased the rake of the fork. The "angle of deflection" is now so steep, that hitting a bump simply caused the whole front end to go up, and then down, without pushing the lower leg into up its range on the tube. Maybe.

I'm no expert, and certainly your fork needs to be gone thru completely, a thorough flushing and the right weight of fresh oil, and non-sacked springs, but i think you'll still have to restore some rake to get it to feel right.

OCICBW

Looks nice though.

I agree, You have placed the lower end of the shock at the weakest point on the swing arm.  You have also decreased the rake by maybe 1º and the weight distribution has shifted forward. All of these changes are detrimental.

That and in my opinion it ruins the lines of the bike.  Sorry Pirate I'm not bashing you in any way but to me the charm of these bikes is in their lines.

[pirate4pleasure]

oh thats fine, I just think its all about the love of bikes rather than keeping it pure. half the fun for me is turning it into something thats my own. Im working on a front fork conversion so the rake issue will be non existent. Trial and error, its just a running around town bike

[thrutheframe]

I'm curious about your method for mounting the lower end of the shocks.  Did you weld a tab for the shock bushings onto the swing arm?

[bollingball]

Front tire, is normal, just looks off because of the rain and picture etc. the shock are just a couple inches higher with the mounting location changed. I was going for a much more aggressive Cafe racer style. I also added rear sets and a modified frame obviously.

I was going to ask about the frame. The whole bike looks short. Did you shorten the frame or is it just the photo?

Ken

[pirate4pleasure]

Here is a better look at the Lower mounts for the Shocks

[pirate4pleasure]

Front tire, is normal, just looks off because of the rain and picture etc. the shock are just a couple inches higher with the mounting location changed. I was going for a much more aggressive Cafe racer style. I also added rear sets and a modified frame obviously.

I was going to ask about the frame. The whole bike looks short. Did you shorten the frame or is it just the photo?

Ken

I added a rear frame loop and changed the some supports, but the bike is the same length havent touched the swing arm length just added new mounting location

[thrutheframe]

  Nicely done.

[pirate4pleasure]

  Nicely done.

Thanks. I think the work I do is up to par. Just learning a lot as I go

Cheers