Topic: opinions please

[dcil]

Anybody ever used one. What are your thoughts.
http://http://www.thefactorymetalworks.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=owodiyk

[754]

Most hardtailed stock front part Honda frames are pretty hard to get a clean look. I dont doubt that you can get the kit  to work, but you may not be totally happy with the end product.

 I would look for a  used rigid frame if you want a chopper, and can  afford it.. much better end product..

[dcil]

Not really looking for the full blown chopper look. Hard tail rear, around 6 inch stretch. 40-42 degree rake on the front. Low and long. Stock frame eliminates the titling issues.  I'm not a huge fan of the tc bros kit, and am hoping to find a pic of a bike with this kit on it. I don't have access to a real tubing bender so a pre- fabbed uni kit will save lots of aggravation. As far as a full frame, again no tubing bender or frame jig.

[wookie]

I would personally go with the cycle x frame if a bobber was what i was building.
http://www.cyclexchange.net/index%20pics/Godfather%20Rolling%20Chasse%2011.JPG

just my two bits.

[dcil]

Cb550. Frames are too expensive, plus I like doing my own work and making it to fit so to speak.

[KingCustomCycles.com]

Copy mine.  KingCustomCycles.com I have a short "how to" link specifically for my hardtail King rigid.  No one has ever been successful building one, you may be the first.

[Raef]

I got 3 bikes and 2 motors sitting in the way I my have to take a look at that challenge.

I just read through it quickly, seem straight forward and cheap enough


Mark

[Raef]

the link for the rear plate template is not working

[KingCustomCycles.com]

the link for the rear plate template is not working

I'll look into that.  At one time I was going to offer the template as part of a hardtail package on eBay.  I am no longer interested in doing that but forgot to upload the template again.

[jakecb420]

i say for $100, go for it. if you are thinking about going this route, then you must feel confident in your fab skills. i guess the worst that can happen is that you ruin a frame. good luck. should be a fun project.

[754]

Can you outline how you plan on raking the frame..??

 Its actually less work to register a custom frame than try to get a stock one modified to actually look good..

[KingCustomCycles.com]

Can you outline how you plan on raking the frame..??

 Its actually less work to register a custom frame than try to get a stock one modified to actually look good..

I won't take that personally, my King Rigid bike design is extremely popular.

[754]

Ok King, I bit and looked at your site..

 MOST of the time, I try to be polite and kind to the members on here.. However after viewing Your Wall of Shame, I wont sugar my comments up.

 Some of the bikes in the shame section actually have great lines, or are fairly well done.. like the trike. They may look a bit terrible but could be changed easier than fixing yours up. I am referring to a dark colored rigid Honda , looks like in an SBF or Ness frame. Please dont make the Amwn and Santee framed 750s in your pics, look worse than they look now..

 As for your tail section, I am glad its popular, but its not very clean looking (or inspiring), and does not help the lines of the bike..IMO

[KingCustomCycles.com]

It is probably a cultural or generational thing. 

[Raef]

I didn't want to high jack this thread, but it inspired me to take this


and do this

I'll start another build thread when it get a little farther along

[dcil]

Can you outline how you plan on raking the frame..??

 Its actually less work to register a custom frame than try to get a stock one modified to actually look good..

Was thinking I would cut the down tubes lose from where they tie in behind the neck. Then cut from the bottom, (around 1 inch behind the neck) leaving a small part at the top attached. Spread the gap to the desired rake. Cut some filler peices and weld them in the gaps. Then plate the area from the neck back to the first opening in the frame. Both sides, top, and bottom. Then re-attach the down tubes.

[Trav-i]

Here is the one I built with Fabricator.  Stock frame with a one off tail we made.  There have been a few small changes since this picture 1 the pods are gone (pods suck), 2 it now has a rear fender and sissy bar.  It has proven to be a fun ride, took it to Barber this year and it really wasn't that bad although there were a few rough sections.  It's tough to say which is the best way to go, it really depends on your skills.  Once I get the oil tank back in it I think I'm going to try to sell it, time for a new project (plus I have good reason to want a 2 up machine ).

Here is my hardtail.




Funny thing is the best complements I have gotten have been from people who have ridden behind me, they all love the custom glass pack exhaust.  If I could it would be the one thing I would want to take off the bike if I ever sell it.

[754]

Dcil, you have a well thought out plan, that should work fine. The Honda necks are not the easiest to work with.

 Good luck on the project..

[dcil]

Thanks, once I get started I;ll post up progress pics. Still gathering intel right now. Hope to start after Christmas.

[Raef]

"Was thinking I would cut the down tubes lose from where they tie in behind the neck. Then cut from the bottom, (around 1 inch behind the neck) leaving a small part at the top attached. Spread the gap to the desired rake. Cut some filler peices and weld them in the gaps. Then plate the area from the neck back to the first opening in the frame. Both sides, top, and bottom. Then re-attach the down tubes."




Why wouldn't you cut a pie out from the top down, heat the remaining metal on the bottom letting it sag till the pie closes, then you could just weld it up with out having to cobble on extra metal.

[dcil]

Shortens the backbone length, and make the bars too lose to the tank. By cutting the bottom, you don't lose any real clearance since the top of the neck is almost in stock position.

[Raef]

Shortens the backbone length, and make the bars too lose to the tank. By cutting the bottom, you don't lose any real clearance since the top of the neck is almost in stock position.

If your cutting the rear section of the frame off you can make the bike any length you want making the inch or so you would lose irrelevant. I assumed you would be using different tank.

[754]

 Look at the Honda frames from the side, they look pushed in at the front. Kicking the bottom out looks better.

 When you add length to the back via hardtail, the front of frame looks even shorter.
 We had a frame that we cut part of the backbone out, bent the downtubes back at the top fin of the head, then rewelded. That was a stock rearsection frame, so  it looked OK.

 Most custom frames have a bit of forward stretch, usually looks cleaner..

[dcil]

Look at the Honda frames from the side, they look pushed in at the front. Kicking the bottom out looks better.

 When you add length to the back via hardtail, the front of frame looks even shorter.
 We had a frame that we cut part of the backbone out, bent the downtubes back at the top fin of the head, then rewelded. That was a stock rearsection frame, so  it looked OK.

 Most custom frames have a bit of forward stretch, usually looks cleaner..

Exactly. Low and long. And I'm going with a custom tank or a johnny pag off ebay. Either way, the cb550 is too short to lose inches

[dcil]

I've been thinking all day about this, and I'm considering ditching the hardtail in favor of Konging the frame and extending the swingarm a couple inches. The reality of my knees and back today in the cold reminded me of how sore I got on my old suzuki when we went on a couple hour ride. It was lowered and strutted. The rake is a definite though.