Topic: Any Interest in Custom triple trees/axels/swingarms???

[designsincoldsteel]

Good day all,

We are a new yet experienced custom fabrication shop located in Westminster, Colorado and are trying to see if there would be any interest in custom triple trees and axles for cafe racer/bobber/weekend racer guys who wish to upgrade to larger forks while retaining stock wheels (or wheels of your choice), as well as modifying stock swingarms or full custom units. We have full multi axis cnc capabilities. Possibilities are virtually endless, and if we can get a group buy with the right number of committed customers on "x" part, the prices will be very reasonable.

Let us know what kind of parts everyone would like, however at the moment we are trying to focus on the said parts.

Thank you,

Chris Tschiffely
~Designs in Cold Steel

[tlbranth]

I'd be interested in a stock looking top triple clamp that's got some strength to it.

[Ricky_Racer]

Billet replacement triple trees for the ugly '75-'76 GL1000 front end.     RR

[mystic_1]

There may be a market for raked or adjustable-rake trees for the 750, no one is making them anymore and old ones are made of unobtanium.

mystic_1

[oldfett]

Billet replacement triple trees for the ugly '75-'76 GL1000 front end.     RR

I agree very much with this statement! At least the top triple tree!

[ANVkevin]

I would love to see some reasonably price rear sets for say a '77K 750. Oh and an extended swing arm would be nice.

[ColinMc]

Billet replacement triple trees for the ugly '75-'76 GL1000 front end.     RR

I agree very much with this statement! At least the top triple tree!

+1 Billion...

[Blackhorse]

A set of rear sets for the CB550, a swing arm, a triple tree, engine billet items...... What? It's a Xmas list!! I can dream can't I?

[Retro Rocket]

There may be a market for raked or adjustable-rake trees for the 750, no one is making them anymore and old ones are made of unobtanium.

mystic_1

No one makes them because they are scary dangerous. They alter your steering geometry as you turn a corner. I had a mate that was having lots of trouble with his Harley, it had what i thought was a raked frame until i looked at the triple trees, they were causing the front wheel to move in a arc instead of pivoting on the spot, once they were replaced it once again handled like a Harley, still scary but rideable......

Mick

[Ricky_Racer]

Absolutely, Retro. That's why the chopper guys virtually abandoned them. I do (somewhat) understand though that if the steering geometry is out of wack to begin with, that raked triples can pull it back into a reasonable trail.  Of course, chopper guys never turn corners so YMMV!     RR

[mystic_1]

Raked trees still readily available for Harleys.  Good point, though, that you'd better know exactly what you're doing before you use them, though.

mystic_1

[turboguzzi]

certainly interesting, as  a racer i am constantly looking for better, stronger, lighter parts.

so main issue here is price, there is another forum member who makes VERY tasty CNC stuff, he's got a full line of sohc products, I just cant afford him, as nice as his stuff looks.

so for example, what would be the cost of a complete set of triple clamps, steerer tube included? Nothing fancy in terms of surfacing, I can do the CAD file and send you.

TG

[fastbroshi]

Designs, please pm FunJimmy as he has a homemade set that are excellent.  He lovingly made them by hand with files, saws, etc. and I doubt he'd be convinced to make another set for sale.  However maybe you could get him to send him yours to make copies.

[754]

Raked trees..
 used to be the bees knees, then they got a bad rap.. alot of stuff made in the70,s was poorly made and dangerous..

 Fast FWD to the new millenium..
 I have a buddy that makes arerally cool billet front ends, many are ordered with rake built in.. I ask him what is up with that, they used to be a dirty word..

 He explains, with extreme rakes commonly found on custom bikes nowadays  (last 10 years), they often handle poorly, BUT running raked trees, CAN put the trail back into a better rideability zone.. , from a both hands death grip on the bars ride to a one hander.

 Now I can understand that, in those cases..

 But on a stock rake bike, I think they are a 1/2 assid solution, that does not solve the problem.. besides , you can rake it in a afternoon anyway..

[wannabridin]

Billet replacement triple trees for the ugly '75-'76 GL1000 front end.     RR

I agree very much with this statement! At least the top triple tree!

+1 Billion...

+1 to this and then some!  i have a '76 GL1000 front end ready to swap on...  also, if you remade some of the caliper bolts for the gl front end i'm sure you'd get some business!  i'd rather not try to mill down some grade 8 bolt heads

[jaguar]

there is a market for all of that kind of stuff but price seems to be one of the more important things.   
i would be in for trees,  maybe motor mounts or other brakets.
extended swingarms would be nice  or maybe some sort of bracing for the swingarm

track stands?

[MJL]

Billet replacement triple trees for the ugly '75-'76 GL1000 front end.     RR

I'd replace my top GL clamp with one that that held the clocks closer together and used the CB handlebar clamp/idiot light panel.

[designsincoldsteel]

This is all exactly the kind of stuff I was hoping to hear!! True enthusiasts like myself are always looking to improve, and individualize..

Prices are mostly relative to quantity of each part. In addition, modifying your personal part (i.e. extended stock swingarms) would involve either two-way shipping, or some sort of core-charge program.

Of course, we are more than willing to do either one part or one hundred, so I would love to know what you all would be willing to pay for the above parts requests, we just may be able to fall right into your budgets..

Parts like rear sets [Blackhorse]&[ANVkevin] are also a definite possibility, and something to discuss with my partners here..

We are currently in the process of making yamaha xs650 triple clamp sets, and will likely base the design off of that, yet we would likely do more than one aesthetic variation. A great friend of ours does our CAD/CNC work and when we finish our first prototypes for the xs650's ill post some photos and be open to more suggestions..

[jaguar], track stands are an excellent idea, and absolutely something to think about. What would you, and others be willing to spend on such a piece? Also, swing arm as well as stock fork braces have been considered as well, so all these ideas will surely be put on paper.

I will get back to you all as soon as I chat with the guys and figure out pricing on different quantities of all said parts. So in the mean time, keep posting or PMing me ideas, and if you have a price neighborhood in mind, don't be scared to throw it out there..

Thanks to everyone!

[XN]

I'd be in for some raked trees (4 to 6 degree) if the $$ is right and they can be done before May 2010 I need to reduce trail to steer easier with my sidecar connected.

[designsincoldsteel]

I just figured I'd give you guys a little somethin to look at.. This was one of our really fun bikes... We had bigger plans for it, but someone saw it parked outside of a restaurant once and had to have it ... Eh, Se La Vi.... NEXT!!!!

Oh, disregard the names of the pictures... Its obviously no Buell 

[paddy paul]

boxed, maybe extended swing arm and fork brace

[Hinz]

Billet replacement triple trees for the ugly '75-'76 GL1000 front end.    RR

+1

I just want the replacement UPPER tripple tree for the GL1000. If possible I'd like to have it machined WITHOUT the handlebar mounts since I have clip-ons.
THANKS!!

I'd also like to see somebody make inexpensive rearset mounts.  You don't need to invent custom controls, just some mounts to adapt existing controls from another bike like a modern GSXR or CBR.

[cgancos]

A set of rear sets for the CB550, a swing arm, a triple tree, engine billet items...... What? It's a Xmas list!! I can dream can't I?

Rearsets for a 550 would be nice

[nobody]

That's a mighty fine looking bike, way to be.

I'd be interested in a handful of parts for my 78 750f. Triple tree without handlebar mounts (clip ons), rear sets for the hydraulic brakes (having trouble finding affrodable ones), and a stronger fork brace, one to replace the stock under the fender brace.

Do you guys do sheet metal work? If so I may be interested in having a gas tank made, not too keen on the idea of fragile fiberglass on a street bike.

[wannabridin]

I'd be down for a gl fork brace, there's only one place that has one so far that i've found, but one that could be removed for maintence oN the front wheel and forks...

Also maybe some hubs that will accept different rotors easier, for big brake kits like fishhead sells...  Just my $.02