Author Topic: NEW Cal Fab swingarms for the 750  (Read 35713 times)

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Offline SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan

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Re: NEW Cal Fab swingarms for the 750
« Reply #75 on: March 05, 2015, 09:19:49 AM »
No doubt about it, Mick.  This is a quality piece.
1975 CB550K1 "Blue" Stockish Restomod (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=135005.0)
1975 CB550F1 frame/CB650 engine hybrid "The Hot Mess" (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,150220.0.html)
2008 Triumph Thruxton (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,190956.0.html)
2014 MV Agusta Brutale Dragster 800
2015 Yamaha FZ-09 (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,186861.0.html)

"There are some things nobody needs in this world, and a bright-red, hunch-back, warp-speed 900cc cafe racer is one of them — but I want one anyway, and on some days I actually believe I need one.... Being shot out of a cannon will always be better than being squeezed out of a tube. That is why God made fast motorcycles, Bubba." Hunter S. Thompson, Song of the Sausage Creature, Cycle World, March 1995.  (http://www.latexnet.org/~csmith/sausage.html and https://magazine.cycleworld.com/article/1995/3/1/song-of-the-sausage-creature)

Sold/Emeritus
1973 CB750K2 "Bionic Mongrel" (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=132734.0) - Sold
1977 CB750K7 "Nine Lives" Restomod (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=50490.0) - Sold
2005 RVT1000RR RC51-SP2 "El Diablo" - Sold
2016+ Triumph Thruxton 1200 R (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,170198.0.html) - Sold

Offline Retro Rocket

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Re: NEW Cal Fab swingarms for the 750
« Reply #76 on: March 05, 2015, 02:54:42 PM »
No doubt about it, Mick.  This is a quality piece.

That it is Don.... ;)
750 K2 1000cc
750 F1 970cc
750 Bitsa 900cc
If You can't fix it with a hammer, You've got an electrical problem.

Offline Stev-o

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Re: NEW Cal Fab swingarms for the 750
« Reply #77 on: March 05, 2015, 04:07:28 PM »
Cant believe you dont have that arm bolted up yet, Mick!
'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

Offline Retro Rocket

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Re: NEW Cal Fab swingarms for the 750
« Reply #78 on: March 05, 2015, 05:27:56 PM »
Frames out for mods Steve.... ;)
750 K2 1000cc
750 F1 970cc
750 Bitsa 900cc
If You can't fix it with a hammer, You've got an electrical problem.

Offline creepxstreet

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Re: NEW Cal Fab swingarms for the 750
« Reply #79 on: March 07, 2015, 05:54:06 AM »
What changes are you making? gussets and such? Wheel is going to machine shop Monday. Gap at the pivot bolt closed when I tightened the pivot bolt. I didn't even think about how structural that was and the frame flexed out I guess. Not used to working on old stuff. 

Offline bwaller

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Re: NEW Cal Fab swingarms for the 750
« Reply #80 on: March 07, 2015, 08:10:04 AM »
If the engine is already bolted in the frame and there is any excessive clearance between the arm and frame, it's far better to add shims. The swingarm should be a snug fit between pivot bosses.

Offline Retro Rocket

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Re: NEW Cal Fab swingarms for the 750
« Reply #81 on: March 07, 2015, 03:14:37 PM »
What changes are you making? gussets and such? Wheel is going to machine shop Monday. Gap at the pivot bolt closed when I tightened the pivot bolt. I didn't even think about how structural that was and the frame flexed out I guess. Not used to working on old stuff.


Adding gussets and a top frame rail kit, then off to the powdercoaters... ;)
750 K2 1000cc
750 F1 970cc
750 Bitsa 900cc
If You can't fix it with a hammer, You've got an electrical problem.

Offline SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan

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Re: NEW Cal Fab swingarms for the 750
« Reply #82 on: March 12, 2015, 09:53:01 AM »
What changes are you making? gussets and such? Wheel is going to machine shop Monday. Gap at the pivot bolt closed when I tightened the pivot bolt. I didn't even think about how structural that was and the frame flexed out I guess. Not used to working on old stuff.


Adding gussets and a top frame rail kit, then off to the powdercoaters... ;)

Great to hear.  I think it might be time for you to start a build thread on this!
1975 CB550K1 "Blue" Stockish Restomod (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=135005.0)
1975 CB550F1 frame/CB650 engine hybrid "The Hot Mess" (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,150220.0.html)
2008 Triumph Thruxton (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,190956.0.html)
2014 MV Agusta Brutale Dragster 800
2015 Yamaha FZ-09 (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,186861.0.html)

"There are some things nobody needs in this world, and a bright-red, hunch-back, warp-speed 900cc cafe racer is one of them — but I want one anyway, and on some days I actually believe I need one.... Being shot out of a cannon will always be better than being squeezed out of a tube. That is why God made fast motorcycles, Bubba." Hunter S. Thompson, Song of the Sausage Creature, Cycle World, March 1995.  (http://www.latexnet.org/~csmith/sausage.html and https://magazine.cycleworld.com/article/1995/3/1/song-of-the-sausage-creature)

Sold/Emeritus
1973 CB750K2 "Bionic Mongrel" (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=132734.0) - Sold
1977 CB750K7 "Nine Lives" Restomod (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=50490.0) - Sold
2005 RVT1000RR RC51-SP2 "El Diablo" - Sold
2016+ Triumph Thruxton 1200 R (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,170198.0.html) - Sold

Offline Retro Rocket

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Re: NEW Cal Fab swingarms for the 750
« Reply #83 on: March 12, 2015, 03:04:43 PM »
What changes are you making? gussets and such? Wheel is going to machine shop Monday. Gap at the pivot bolt closed when I tightened the pivot bolt. I didn't even think about how structural that was and the frame flexed out I guess. Not used to working on old stuff.


Adding gussets and a top frame rail kit, then off to the powdercoaters... ;)

Great to hear.  I think it might be time for you to start a build thread on this!

I don't have a camera and I don't use Iphones,  I get my daughter to take pics when she's around so expect pics in bundles at random intervals... ;D :o
750 K2 1000cc
750 F1 970cc
750 Bitsa 900cc
If You can't fix it with a hammer, You've got an electrical problem.

Offline Stev-o

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Re: NEW Cal Fab swingarms for the 750
« Reply #84 on: March 12, 2015, 04:23:03 PM »
What changes are you making? gussets and such? Wheel is going to machine shop Monday. Gap at the pivot bolt closed when I tightened the pivot bolt. I didn't even think about how structural that was and the frame flexed out I guess. Not used to working on old stuff.


Adding gussets and a top frame rail kit, then off to the powdercoaters... ;)

Great to hear.  I think it might be time for you to start a build thread on this!

I don't have a camera and I don't use Iphones...

WAT?  You are living in the 90's Mick! 
Is this the walter mitty project I've been hearing about?!!
'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

Offline Retro Rocket

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Re: NEW Cal Fab swingarms for the 750
« Reply #85 on: March 12, 2015, 04:39:08 PM »
What changes are you making? gussets and such? Wheel is going to machine shop Monday. Gap at the pivot bolt closed when I tightened the pivot bolt. I didn't even think about how structural that was and the frame flexed out I guess. Not used to working on old stuff.


Adding gussets and a top frame rail kit, then off to the powdercoaters... ;)

Great to hear.  I think it might be time for you to start a build thread on this!

I don't have a camera and I don't use Iphones...

WAT?  You are living in the 90's Mick! 
Is this the walter mitty project I've been hearing about?!!

This place is my social media Steve, if I had a choice, i'd be living in the 70's.... 8)
750 K2 1000cc
750 F1 970cc
750 Bitsa 900cc
If You can't fix it with a hammer, You've got an electrical problem.

Offline calj737

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Re: NEW Cal Fab swingarms for the 750
« Reply #86 on: March 12, 2015, 05:48:21 PM »
What changes are you making? gussets and such? Wheel is going to machine shop Monday. Gap at the pivot bolt closed when I tightened the pivot bolt. I didn't even think about how structural that was and the frame flexed out I guess. Not used to working on old stuff.


Adding gussets and a top frame rail kit, then off to the powdercoaters... ;)

Great to hear.  I think it might be time for you to start a build thread on this!

I don't have a camera and I don't use Iphones...

WAT?  You are living in the 90's Mick! 
Is this the walter mitty project I've been hearing about?!!

This place is my social media Steve, if I had a choice, i'd be living in the 70's.... 8)
You'd probably sleep thru it again, Mick! (Sleep being a code word for drug and alcohol use)
'74 550 Build http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=126401.0
'73 500 Build http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=132935.0

"Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of it's victim may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated, but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience." - C.S. Lewis

Offline Retro Rocket

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Re: NEW Cal Fab swingarms for the 750
« Reply #87 on: March 12, 2015, 05:52:32 PM »
What changes are you making? gussets and such? Wheel is going to machine shop Monday. Gap at the pivot bolt closed when I tightened the pivot bolt. I didn't even think about how structural that was and the frame flexed out I guess. Not used to working on old stuff.


Adding gussets and a top frame rail kit, then off to the powdercoaters... ;)

Great to hear.  I think it might be time for you to start a build thread on this!

I don't have a camera and I don't use Iphones...

WAT?  You are living in the 90's Mick! 
Is this the walter mitty project I've been hearing about?!!

This place is my social media Steve, if I had a choice, i'd be living in the 70's.... 8)
You'd probably sleep thru it again, Mick! (Sleep being a code word for drug and alcohol use)

For the music and lifestyle Cal, we've seemed to be going backwards for the last 40 years, I was 17 in 1979, i missed the hazy bit... ;D ;)
750 K2 1000cc
750 F1 970cc
750 Bitsa 900cc
If You can't fix it with a hammer, You've got an electrical problem.

Offline bwaller

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Re: NEW Cal Fab swingarms for the 750
« Reply #88 on: March 12, 2015, 07:47:59 PM »
Can I join you Mick? As long as I can carry just a little hard earned wisdom back, all will be groovy.  ;) Ohhhhhyeahhhh!

Offline Retro Rocket

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Re: NEW Cal Fab swingarms for the 750
« Reply #89 on: March 12, 2015, 08:08:30 PM »
Can I join you Mick? As long as I can carry just a little hard earned wisdom back, all will be groovy.  ;) Ohhhhhyeahhhh!

Oh yeah, i'd be taking some foresight/hindsight..?  too mate.... ;)
750 K2 1000cc
750 F1 970cc
750 Bitsa 900cc
If You can't fix it with a hammer, You've got an electrical problem.

Offline SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan

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Re: NEW Cal Fab swingarms for the 750
« Reply #90 on: March 12, 2015, 08:51:32 PM »
What changes are you making? gussets and such? Wheel is going to machine shop Monday. Gap at the pivot bolt closed when I tightened the pivot bolt. I didn't even think about how structural that was and the frame flexed out I guess. Not used to working on old stuff.


Adding gussets and a top frame rail kit, then off to the powdercoaters... ;)

Great to hear.  I think it might be time for you to start a build thread on this!

I don't have a camera and I don't use Iphones,  I get my daughter to take pics when she's around so expect pics in bundles at random intervals... ;D :o

Random and/or in bundles, we'll take it!!
1975 CB550K1 "Blue" Stockish Restomod (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=135005.0)
1975 CB550F1 frame/CB650 engine hybrid "The Hot Mess" (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,150220.0.html)
2008 Triumph Thruxton (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,190956.0.html)
2014 MV Agusta Brutale Dragster 800
2015 Yamaha FZ-09 (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,186861.0.html)

"There are some things nobody needs in this world, and a bright-red, hunch-back, warp-speed 900cc cafe racer is one of them — but I want one anyway, and on some days I actually believe I need one.... Being shot out of a cannon will always be better than being squeezed out of a tube. That is why God made fast motorcycles, Bubba." Hunter S. Thompson, Song of the Sausage Creature, Cycle World, March 1995.  (http://www.latexnet.org/~csmith/sausage.html and https://magazine.cycleworld.com/article/1995/3/1/song-of-the-sausage-creature)

Sold/Emeritus
1973 CB750K2 "Bionic Mongrel" (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=132734.0) - Sold
1977 CB750K7 "Nine Lives" Restomod (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=50490.0) - Sold
2005 RVT1000RR RC51-SP2 "El Diablo" - Sold
2016+ Triumph Thruxton 1200 R (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,170198.0.html) - Sold

Offline Retro Rocket

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750 K2 1000cc
750 F1 970cc
750 Bitsa 900cc
If You can't fix it with a hammer, You've got an electrical problem.

Offline creepxstreet

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Re: NEW Cal Fab swingarms for the 750
« Reply #92 on: March 24, 2015, 06:48:02 AM »
Mine is almost ready to ride. Waiting for a brake hose to be made locally then bleed rear brake and ride it. Wheel is centered, chain line is straight with an offset sprocket

Offline Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er

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Re: NEW Cal Fab swingarms for the 750
« Reply #93 on: March 24, 2015, 10:07:06 AM »
Sure would look nice on my F  :'(
As of today 3/13/2012 my original owner 75 CB750F has made it through 3 wives, er EX-wives. Free at last.  ;-)

Offline Stev-o

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Re: NEW Cal Fab swingarms for the 750
« Reply #94 on: March 04, 2016, 03:50:23 PM »
How much were they?  Could maybe actually. Get one these days..  Stars might be aligned..

For the first 5, $650 USD,  they were originally going to be sold as just the swingarm at $650, these 5 have axle, brake adjusters and brake arm as well as heat treatment and cryo treatment, not to sure what is happening with the second batch...

Hey Mick.....I would like to order one of these but $650, holy #$%*e!  My latest project, The Park Racer, has a modded swing arm but with all the extra steel, must weigh over 26 kilos!
I'm not building a race bike but would like a custom swinger.  Any other options?
'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

Offline Retro Rocket

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Re: NEW Cal Fab swingarms for the 750
« Reply #95 on: March 04, 2016, 04:02:18 PM »
How much were they?  Could maybe actually. Get one these days..  Stars might be aligned..

For the first 5, $650 USD,  they were originally going to be sold as just the swingarm at $650, these 5 have axle, brake adjusters and brake arm as well as heat treatment and cryo treatment, not to sure what is happening with the second batch...

Hey Mick.....I would like to order one of these but $650, holy #$%*e!  My latest project, The Park Racer, has a modded swing arm but with all the extra steel, must weigh over 26 kilos!
I'm not building a race bike but would like a custom swinger.  Any other options?

I,m not too sure Steve, Does Chris have any left..?  I can ask if you'd like...? As far as custom arms go, unless second hand, I've never seen a cheap one, the Japanese ones are well over a grand... I do have a couple of GS1100 alloy arms I'm going to have shortened at the pivot end, only paid $100 each for them and they are mint,  they are wider though so they aren't a bolt in option, bigger pivot bolt too, so some  frame mods ...  Seems I always do things the hard way... :o  Sorry I couldn't be of more help... ;)
750 K2 1000cc
750 F1 970cc
750 Bitsa 900cc
If You can't fix it with a hammer, You've got an electrical problem.

Offline Stev-o

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Re: NEW Cal Fab swingarms for the 750
« Reply #96 on: March 04, 2016, 04:23:05 PM »
How much were they?  Could maybe actually. Get one these days..  Stars might be aligned..

For the first 5, $650 USD,  they were originally going to be sold as just the swingarm at $650, these 5 have axle, brake adjusters and brake arm as well as heat treatment and cryo treatment, not to sure what is happening with the second batch...

Hey Mick.....I would like to order one of these but $650, holy #$%*e!  My latest project, The Park Racer, has a modded swing arm but with all the extra steel, must weigh over 26 kilos!
I'm not building a race bike but would like a custom swinger.  Any other options?

I,m not too sure Steve, Does Chris have any left..?  I can ask if you'd like...? As far as custom arms go, unless second hand, I've never seen a cheap one, the Japanese ones are well over a grand... I do have a couple of GS1100 alloy arms I'm going to have shortened at the pivot end, only paid $100 each for them and they are mint,  they are wider though so they aren't a bolt in option, bigger pivot bolt too, so some  frame mods ...  Seems I always do things the hard way... :o  Sorry I couldn't be of more help... ;)

I checked his eBay store, nothing listed.  I'm just doing research now, checking options.  My bike fund took a big hit yesterday, bought a GPz550! It's in transit...
'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

Offline Retro Rocket

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Re: NEW Cal Fab swingarms for the 750
« Reply #97 on: March 04, 2016, 04:35:02 PM »
Good little bikes the GPZ, bullet proof engines... ;)

What bike were you chasing the swingarm for mate..?  750..?
« Last Edit: March 04, 2016, 04:37:23 PM by Retro Rocket »
750 K2 1000cc
750 F1 970cc
750 Bitsa 900cc
If You can't fix it with a hammer, You've got an electrical problem.

Offline Stev-o

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Re: NEW Cal Fab swingarms for the 750
« Reply #98 on: March 04, 2016, 09:19:16 PM »
Good little bikes the GPZ, bullet proof engines... ;)

What bike were you chasing the swingarm for mate..?  750..?

Yes, a K3 I bought a couple years ago that I just pulled out of storage. 
'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

Offline calj737

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Re: NEW Cal Fab swingarms for the 750
« Reply #99 on: March 05, 2016, 03:36:33 AM »
Hey Mick.....I would like to order one of these but $650, holy #$%*e!
Stev-o, I appreciate not wanting to spend the money, but I will say this: the amount of work that goes into making a swing arm of this nature is enormous. The time spent welding alone you would pay nearly that much for someone to TIG it together. Then of course you have all the other fabrication and machine time (lathe to turn the pivot tube, milling for the axle keepers, Cryo treatment afterwards, etc). If you use $50/hr as a base rate, I bet there's nearly 35 hours of work in these. I'm making a couple of swing arms from scratch, also from aluminum, and I can attest to the work and time and "touches" just to get one thing dead right.

At $650, they are a bargain for their quality. Maybe not what you'd want to spend, but outside of CMR and TTR400, I don't know of another modern arm being made for the CBs. Spend it, you can't take it with you!  ;)
'74 550 Build http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=126401.0
'73 500 Build http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=132935.0

"Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of it's victim may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated, but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience." - C.S. Lewis