Topic: carpy's frame kit

[Eydugstr]

Bikerbart - Did the same thing to mine some time back.  Although I've had friends tell me that taking out the tubes made no difference, didn't feel right about it but still wanted access to the head without having to yank the motor.

[liPPy]

I have Gordon's kit because I like the fact that it's nicely machined, welded in place and can be adjusted to provide some stress.

But the pictured kit in this thread begs the question: Why bother?

IF this solution is just as good, it would seem that you could take four pieces of tubing with the correct ID to just slip over the side rails , add two more pieces of 1/2" wide plate a couple inches long to support the short braces tieing the side rails to the backbone, figure 12 bolts and self-locking nuts and Badda-Bing, cut your old side rails and braces, slip over the four new short tubes, drill and bolt everything, and be done with it.  Opinions?

Ha! Anybody want a kit for $29.95? Looks doable to me!    RR

LOL That's what I did.  I reused the factory piece I cut out just so I WAS able to tie back in to the back bone as. I figured it would be stronger that way. Of course,after I cut the frame out I realized I needed something from the store...so I slapped the tank back on and rode without ANY of it in place. It actually did just fine with anything,but in the long run,I'd rather have something in there

NOTE: I did NOT attach it with hose clamps! LOL. That was just to hold it all in place while I drilled the holes so it would all line up later

Do you have any pictures of the finished result? Did you use external sleeves or internal slugs? Welded or bolted?

Thanks!

[cavi]

I kind of like the hose clamps.....

[Retro Rocket]

Although I've had friends tell me that taking out the tubes made no difference,

I've had friends that swear that cocaine is great as well..... , these old frames need all the help they can get, removing the rails was common on drag bikes but they don't need to go round corners so removing the rails has minimum effect, on the road it is completely different, your friends may never ride hard enough or well enough to notice any difference but i can guarantee you it makes a difference..

[Really?]

Tagging along.

[shinyribs]

I kind of like the hose clamps.....

Yeah,they're nice,right? LOL. I dont know if I have any pics or not. I'll see if I can find any. Those sleeves were made in halves,like bearing shells. I didn't want any gaps where the frame went back in. I made the shells,clamped them on then drilled the frame and shells so it all would line up perfectly. Once I cut the frame out the saw blade left a small gap,obviously. It does have slugs,but they are not welded in. I just drove the slugs in with a hammer. The slugs I made head a small head on them so that they would protrude out of the tubes to make up the gap the saw blade left. I actually have to tap the frame back onto the bike,so it fits real nice and snug. All of the shells are stamped as to where they belong ( front right inner-front right outer...etc) so when you have it apart your not scratching you head trying to figure out which goes where. I made the shells out of a 1" black iron nipple from Lowe's. It was 18'' long I think? That piece of pipe and all of the bolts required ran me about $18 total. Turned out ok I think.

Oh,and FWIW, on the way to Lowes to lick up the bolts for this project ( i had got the wrong length) when I was riding without the piece at all...I drug the right side peg Yeah, it's not a bad idea to keep it in place...but it's not the end of the world without it ,either.YMMV