Topic: Vintage Speed Part Mashup - 1976 CB750F

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

I was wondering about the hard line from the MC to the triple tree.  Won't you need it to be flexible for steering travel?

[Tintop]

I was wondering about the hard line from the MC to the triple tree.  Won't you need it to be flexible for steering travel?

Come now, Don, think about that! The MC is statically fixed on the handlebar/clip-on. The relationship between MC, a spot on the tree, and the tree to caliper doesn't change provided these fittings occur on the same side.

The issue of flexibility comes into play when the line from the MC runs past the headlight and down to the splitter, then loop it's way over to the MC. If you did use a hard line (and I'm with Frank, I like SS) it could leave the MC and plug into a fitting on the top clamp on the MC side of the stem. Exit the top clamp underneath through a fitting, down to top of lower clamp to another fitting, then exit underneath on either both side. Let's say it exist on left side for single disc. Fitting to a shaped, hard line hooking it's way to caliper. No length or distance changes whatsoever in the lines.

I used SS instead and have done it this way (excluding the top clamp) on the Joker, and merged from SS to hard line for the caliper line. (Controlled the alignment and length a little bit better for wheel interference).

   You will need flexible line from the lower triple to the caliper to account for suspension travel.  Easy enough to make a hard line from the MC to the lower triple.  However, I won't take it through fittings on the top triple.  Every extra fitting is a leak point.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

I was wondering about the hard line from the MC to the triple tree.  Won't you need it to be flexible for steering travel?

Come now, Don, think about that! The MC is statically fixed on the handlebar/clip-on. The relationship between MC, a spot on the tree, and the tree to caliper doesn't change provided these fittings occur on the same side.

Duh! Momentary mental lapse!

[slikwilli420]

Well, I am officially at the next level of fabrication! I just got my mill set up in my garage and started modifying my top triple clamp to better reflect my vision for it. This opens up a whole world of opportunity for this build and any future projects.

I will also be getting my 8x16 lathe set up in my basement in the next few weeks.

My head is literally spinning with ideas. The first major task I am taking on is getting a jig built to replicate a Seeley swing arm for this bike. I know that I already have the Dresda copy but I want to have options, don't I?! I already have most of the raw material for the arm itself but need to design a plate for the hold down fixtures.

I have a variety of other things I want to tackle as well, and once I am up and running, I will be offering services here, with an initial focus on custom triple trees. I know there are already quite a few options but my focus will be on the one-off market. The guy who has looked high and low for something especially unique will be my target.

At any rate, here are a few pics of my work last night.

[seanbarney41]

How much to do me up a GL1000 top triple?

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Dime City makes a billet triple for the GL1000 for $129.  It is pretty basic in design with stock offset.  It also has mount points for gauges and ignition.  http://www.dimecitycycles.com/vintage-cafe-racer-caferacer-bobber-brat-chopper-custom-motorcycle-steering-parts-billet-aluminum-gl1000-top-triple-tree-12-2145.html

So, if you are going to do a GL1000 triple, you may want to offer something different in terms of design to differentiate it.

[slikwilli420]

What's the material you used on that?

I believe the material is 2024 since that's what I could get at the time.

How much to do me up a GL1000 top triple?

Sean let's talk about what you want. I have almost 20 different designs or we can design something else if you have some ideas. Send me a PM and we'll talk.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Custom one off triples! Now we're talking!

[slikwilli420]

Don, I had such a problem finding what I wanted since I needed a wider spread and wanted something that looked period. I want to be able to help the guy out who can't find what he wants and loves the feel of a handmade one off part. Here is a pic of the designs I have come up with so far. They could all be recreated with custom offset and spread from your choice of material thickness. Im not quite ready to advertise to the world but if someone sees this post and is interested, I'd be happy to try and help.

[754]

What kind of mill, is it CNC....nice work.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Don, I had such a problem finding what I wanted since I needed a wider spread and wanted something that looked period. I want to be able to help the guy out who can't find what he wants and loves the feel of a handmade one off part. Here is a pic of the designs I have come up with so far. They could all be recreated with custom offset and spread from your choice of material thickness. Im not quite ready to advertise to the world but if someone sees this post and is interested, I'd be happy to try and help.

Nice designs and finished product.  When ready, you should definitely list yourself in the classified services section.  This will really help out members!

[slikwilli420]

What kind of mill, is it CNC....nice work.

Water jet for the basic shape. Boring head to final size the stem and fork holes. Then a fair amount of hand finishing.

Nice designs and finished product.  When ready, you should definitely list yourself in the classified services section.  This will really help out members!

That is definitely my intention. I want to take this low and slow to start because this is a hobby and I have to find time here and there to make it happen. Hopefully Sean will be interested and he can play test subject as my first customer.

[MessnerMoto]

I like simple design! Nice work!

[seanbarney41]

Sean let's talk about what you want. I have almost 20 different designs or we can design something else if you have some ideas. Send me a PM and we'll talk.

honestly, not too worried about looks, would be happy with a lump of alloy with holes in it as long as it works good. pming...

[knottedknickers]

Don, I had such a problem finding what I wanted since I needed a wider spread and wanted something that looked period. I want to be able to help the guy out who can't find what he wants and loves the feel of a handmade one off part. Here is a pic of the designs I have come up with so far. They could all be recreated with custom offset and spread from your choice of material thickness. Im not quite ready to advertise to the world but if someone sees this post and is interested, I'd be happy to try and help.

I like your designs--especially the ones in Triple Clamps 2.jpg. I'm just wondering why most of them have a relief cut for a pinch bolt on the stem... Is that necessary? I noticed that the one you made above doesn't have a pinch bolt, so that made me look twice.

[slikwilli420]

I like your designs--especially the ones in Triple Clamps 2.jpg. I'm just wondering why most of them have a relief cut for a pinch bolt on the stem... Is that necessary? I noticed that the one you made above doesn't have a pinch bolt, so that made me look twice.

The stock unit comes with a pinch bolt. Originally I was going to use a stem that was patterned after the stock CB one, but then I found the Ceriani stem with tension damper knob. That setup does not require the pinch at the top, but rather has a nut that is a tolerance fit to the inside of the top clamp. That fit eliminates the play that might be present in the other design. These are the designs I have to date, but they are by no means the limit of what can be done. I could combine features from each based on what the user likes and what is needed for the particular application. I can also provide a variety of clamping systems (Allen head, ARP 6pt and 12pt, etc) as well as different thicknesses.

[Godffery]

That is some beautiful work man!

BTW; Did I send you one of those Phenolic Caliper Pistons?  Pretty sure I did, but want to make I didn't leave you hanging on that deal.

[slikwilli420]

That is some beautiful work man!

BTW; Did I send you one of those Phenolic Caliper Pistons?  Pretty sure I did, but want to make I didn't leave you hanging on that deal.

Thanks!  Much appreciated. I'm trying to keep the unique old school race part look to everything.

I have all three rotors done by you but never did pick up the pistons since I switched calipers. I believe the Lockheed units have aluminium pistons stock.

[Godffery]

Ah, okay.
Well LMK if you ever need one, it will be on the house.

[slikwilli420]

Ah, okay.
Well LMK if you ever need one, it will be on the house.

An extremely generous offer. Thank you so much. I will keep that in mind. Guys like you are what make this site so great.

[slikwilli420]

I figured I would bust out a quick update so everyone knew this thing was still moving forward. I was fortunate to get some time in the shop this weekend and wanted to start ticking things off the list, and the fender was it.

I had been trying to figure out how to line everything up and mark the fender for the mounts, knowing that I basically had one shot. Yes I could weld up the holes and try again, but getting it right the first time was the goal.

I started by mounting the Y brackets to the top part of the caliper carriers so the orientation and location was locked in. After that the fender could be positioned and marked, then drilled. The hardware is simple button head screw for now but will be replaced with ARP 12-pt bolts to tie into the rest of the build.

The last thing is to fit the Y brackets around the caliper mounts a little better for a more finished look.

So far, it has turned out exactly as I envisioned and really looks like a front end from a 60's/70's British bike.

[Tintop]

Keep an eye on the clearance between the tire and whatever you finally use the secure the fender.  Tires grow in dia. with speed.

[slikwilli420]

At the fasteners I have about 3/8" to the tire. Will that be enough? How much do tires "grow"?

[754]

3/8 is more than it will grow...
Should be about right for the campgroundbeercan.....

A few times at Sturgis you would see ultra close mounted fenders.. Looks real sweet, til you run over a beer can, and go on your ass or lock up the tire..... Happened there more than once..

[slikwilli420]

Not much of an update, just wanted everyone following to know I am still alive, trying to balance bike stuff with dad stuff. I was fortunate enough to come by a great collection of Rickman parts from an original kit and will be updating my other thread concurrently. Not like I need another project, but when a collection of parts like this comes your way, you don't say no.

Anyway, I took a page from the bwaller book of rotor lightening and did some work on the carriers as well as an extra set of holes in the disc around the inner diameter. I think it gives the rotor a little something extra, and gave me an excuse to use my rotary table.