Topic: adding gussets to frame and other assorted cafe tricks?

[shoggoth80]

Hey guys...
Looking to strengthen my stock CB550 frame...
I was wondering if there are any good tips to gusseting? I have read that a good place to add material is between the shock mounts at the rear of the frame. Anywhere else? I've read that the single backbone frames like to flex a bit. This is going to be the groundwork for a cafe bike... probably going to use the CR replica stuff 'cause it looks soooo nice. However, this is also not a project that needs to be hurried... so I am starting with the frame, and then working my way up.


I've done a few searches and found some really great tricks for mounting the seats (the brackets welded across the top of the frame). I have an idea for mounting up rearsets. I was thinking of welding a strip about an inch to an inch and a half wide to the downtubes where the passenger peg loops would have been to bolt up the sets I have from a CBR600 Hurricane. Sound feasible?
Cheers,
Andy

[FunJimmy]

If I where welding rearset mounts to my frame, I would weld small round mounts to the frame rather than a long peice of flat bar. You should know where you want them mounted before tacking them to the frame and the smaller mounts will look a lot nicer.

Alternatively you could fab up aluminum plates that bolt up to your engine mounts too.

Just do a rearset search.

Post pics when available

[shoggoth80]

There is also the possibility of just using the generic frame clamps that I have them bolted to at the moment. The downside is that I am missing one bolt for the clamps (ordered from Dennis Kirk a long time ago...I don't know if they have a habit of selling parts with missing mounting hardware). Though I am sure I could find replacement bolts at a place like Tacoma Screw. It wouldn't require any welding either. Though I still want to close up all the welds and gusset the frame... but I do have some time to determine which route I want to take.

[FunJimmy]

Use the clamps to locate the best spot for your comfort, then weld the required hardware.
I know a lot of people use those clamps and I havn't heard any complaints about them, but I feel
much better knowing that I can stand all day on my controls without them moving.

[kaybee]

Just a word of caution when welding something to your frame...The frame is of double wall tube construction. It's a bit tricky but doable...I discovered this myself the hard way. I was lucky enough to have a junk frame to practice on.

[jdawg]

Where is the frame double wall? I didn't notice any thing other than single in the area where you wold mount the rearsets. I know there are some joints that could be considered double wall because of the construction.

I'm confused. Anyone?