Topic: 1973 CB750 Four K3 -- Project "Terry's Fault" -- BUILD RESUMED

[edwardmorris]

Thanks guys!

@Stev-o

Some time last year when I was still brainstorming ideas, I googled for them and this guy turned up.

https://www.facebook.com/precisions.singh/

His business is based somewhere in Cali, but all manufacturing is done somewhere in India. Hand beaten to shape apparently. They seem to fit ok from my mock up. We'll see how they work when its time to put it all together. They make full aluminum cafe body sets too. Unfortunately, the only way to get a hold of him is via Facebook, unless that has changed recently.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

It looks like he's based out of San Francisco.  Does he manufacture the parts himself or import them from overseas?

I agree that the PC looks so smooth you might forgo drilling and sticking on emblems.

[edwardmorris]

It looks like he's based out of San Francisco.  Does he manufacture the parts himself or import them from overseas?

I agree that the PC looks so smooth you might forgo drilling and sticking on emblems.

According to him, its his own biz, but manufacturing is based in India. Does a lot of stuff for Brit bikes is what he told me the last time I got a hold of him. Communication wasn't the easiest IIRC, message, wait for a day or two, read reply, message again etc. Didn't matter to me at the time since I had my hands full with the K2, but I do recall shipping was pretty fast. It does ship from India, so I'd imagine he doesn't make them here, or at least no longer.

[Stev-o]

Thanks guys!

@Stev-o

Some time last year when I was still brainstorming ideas, I googled for them and this guy turned up.

https://www.facebook.com/precisions.singh/

His business is based somewhere in Cali, but all manufacturing is done somewhere in India. Hand beaten to shape apparently. They seem to fit ok from my mock up. We'll see how they work when its time to put it all together. They make full aluminum cafe body sets too. Unfortunately, the only way to get a hold of him is via Facebook, unless that has changed recently.

Yeah, have seen his alloy tanks before, look pretty nice.

I don't get these guys that only want to be contacted through fb, not the easiest.

There was another guy that made brake lines that I wanted to order from [when Slingshot was on break], I gave up on that guy, it just wasnt worth the hassle. I wanted custom length and he kept asking what make/model bike I had, I had a feeling he would screw it up.
Luckily, Shawn came back and all is well...

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Happy Birthday, Rafi!

[edwardmorris]

Happy Birthday, Rafi!

Haha, thanks Don, but its not my birthday today . I don't think I've shared that anywhere, have I?

[Stev-o]

Happy Birthday, Rafi!

HAPPY BDAY MO!!

[754]

Just be careful, i think one member on here was selling an alloy tank, that lost a bit in fit and finish, between the online pic and actual product....not like you can easily send it back...
And check the underneath pics to see how many pieces used and how good the welds look..some are savage.. The better the guy is at forming, the less pieces used..

[edwardmorris]

Just be careful, i think one member on here was selling an alloy tank, that lost a bit in fit and finish, between the online pic and actual product....not like you can easily send it back...
And check the underneath pics to see how many pieces used and how good the welds look..some are savage.. The better the guy is at forming, the less pieces used..

These are one solid piece with only the tabs welded on. I'm regretting not taking any before pix, the PC is on both sides and may not show the welds right. I'll take a few and post for review here soon. Spent all day cleaning my shop today so nothing got done. But, loving the workplace clean slate.

[754]

I misunderstood..thought you were considering a tank..

[edwardmorris]

I misunderstood..thought you were considering a tank..

Oh, no worries. I do remember the bad tank story from a while back but not sure if its the same shop. I bought a new unpainted tank from yamiya via JT during a good sale plus killer exchange rate. Its painted Ford's Mustang GT Race Red and stored away.

[edwardmorris]

All Ballz kit arrived, in went the races promptly. Used a little bit of lube this time, MUCH easier drive as opposed to dry install I did on the K2. Was going to install the VIN tag next, only to find out the butchers have drilled out massive holes where the rivets go  ALWAYS something. Need to order/pickup some bulky rivets. I had a Khnisser replacement tag on hand just in case they botched something, so I'm going to use that instead, save the original. Touched up the rear shock mount threads. At least they got them right this time

[Restoration Fan]

Who drilled out the VIN plate holes?  The powder coaters? 
Regardless, that sucks.

[edwardmorris]

Who drilled out the VIN plate holes?  The powder coaters? 
Regardless, that sucks.

Yea, its the staff there. Last time they botched the tag so I asked them to be careful with it this time. I think they cut off the rivet heads and drilled out the shanks  Bruno at Khnisser recommends drilling new holes anyway, maybe I'll do that a few mm away from the old ones and hide these fat ones under the tag.

[edwardmorris]

Rushed reply:  Any options on filling up the drilled out fatsos (JB Weld?) and re-drilling original dia?

[seanbarney41]

this is the disadvantage of powdercoat...welding em' up is gonna be difficult

[754]

Machine a thin hat bushing .. Head need only be about 10 thou thick... Aluminum.... Then drive the rivets in..

[edwardmorris]

Machine a thin hat bushing .. Head need only be about 10 thou thick... Aluminum.... Then drive the rivets in..

Have no skill or equipment to do any machining, but this gives me an idea. I should be able to source a flat head rivet in small shank dia locally, then drill through the head to where the original rivet will grip hard, grind down the head super thin. Rivet goes in frame, VIN rivet goes into the base rivet. This should ensure a good bite without loss of visibility on the lettering by big dome head rivets.

[Restoration Fan]

Rafi,
One thing that comes to mind you could do...use my nutsert tool.  You drill out holes the proper size in the frame.  Use the nutsert tool to snap in pop rivets that are threaded.  Then you could use screws to secure the VIN plate to the frame by screwing into those threaded studs.  After the screws are fully tightened, file down the top of the screws to make them look smooth like rivets.

I'll loan you my tool if you decide you want to go that route...just PM me if you do.  Check to make sure the sizes would work for you first if you do.  It comes with mandrels for 6 different sizes.  Metric M5, M6, & M8 and in SAE 10-24, 1/4-20, & 5/16-18

This is the tool I'm talking about.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003TODXQW?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s01

Ron

[evanphi]

Rafi,
One thing that comes to mind you could do...use my nutsert tool.  You drill out holes the proper size in the frame.  Use the nutsert tool to snap in pop rivets that are threaded.  Then you could use screws to secure the VIN plate to the frame by screwing into those threaded studs.  After the screws are fully tightened, file down the top of the screws to make them look smooth like rivets.

I'll loan you my tool if you decide you want to go that route...just PM me if you do.  Check to make sure the sizes would work for you first if you do.  It comes with mandrels for 6 different sizes.  Metric M5, M6, & M8 and in SAE 10-24, 1/4-20, & 5/16-18

This is the tool I'm talking about.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003TODXQW?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s01

Ron

That is a neat tool!

[Stev-o]

I'll loan you my tool if you decide you want to go that route...just PM me if you do.  Check to make sure the sizes would work for you first if you do.  It comes with mandrels for 6 different sizes.  Metric M5, M6, & M8 and in SAE 10-24, 1/4-20, & 5/16-18

I'd avoid using screws ground over as the possibility for a Police inspection of the VIN tag later during a sale could uncover a molested/altered tag and invalidate the transfer/vehicle.

Cal, no offense intended, but you sound really paranoid about this VIN tag install!

If Mo has a title, why would a cop inspect the tag during a sale?? 

[Stev-o]

No paranoid, just burned by it before.

I had a feeling you may have had a personal dealing in this. 
In TX, cops dont typically inspect VIN's for inspection purposes, we have inspection stations.

[edwardmorris]

@Ron, thanks for the generous offer, but I'd like to give Frank's idea (or my adaptation of it) a try first to avoid drilling even larger holes in the frame. The stock VIN rivets are actually smaller than 1/8, probably 1/16 at best. I'm going to check out my local Ace Hardware for short length smash rivets in the smallest size they carry, probably 1/8. The PC shop has drilled them out to 7/64, a hair under the 1/8 so hopefully with no more than a small widening 1/8 rivets will bite. Getting the stock sized ones into these should work out OK after that. And all of it gets concealed nicely. Worst case scenario is that I stick with the smallest rivets I can find and live with a letter or two getting covered up. Hardly matters as the actual VIN is nowhere near these areas.

@Stev-o Both my bikes had out of state titles and I did have to call the cops to come verify it. They weren't particularly picky but they did make sure the neck stamping matched the tag and the tag looked unmolested. Other state, or just another cop may not be so easy, so yea, Cal's caution applies. And I'm sure he meant I'm the son he'll never want

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

In California, when importing an out of state bike, even AAA has to check the VIN stamp AND the VIN plate, as well as the engine serial number.

[Stev-o]

I better stay in the wild state of Texas, I'm not too good following all those rules and regulations!