Author Topic: Featherbed Mojo?  (Read 2222 times)

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Offline putnaja1

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Featherbed Mojo?
« on: May 13, 2006, 04:51:00 PM »
I was just looking around on eBay at old school motorcycle parts, and it got me thinking:  Norton featherbed frames seem like they were *THE* frame to use back in the Triumph/Norton/BSA cafe days..  What if you had a desire to build the best handling cafe style bike period, and you had a CB750 motor to use.  Would the Norton featherbed frame still be a great choice for the frame?  Or was it good for it's day, but a stock CB750 SOHC frame would be better?

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Offline Terry in Australia

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Re: Featherbed Mojo?
« Reply #1 on: May 13, 2006, 05:13:20 PM »
Well it'd be pretty good I'd reckon, I remember seeing one in an old magazine article once, with a Honda CB750 engine shoe-horned in.

Having said that, a stock CB750 frame can be made very rigid indeed, the "Post Classic" racers here just brace 'em up, and they handle fine at speeds way higher than the CR750 race bikes were capable of, Rex Wolfendon's CB750 based 1100cc race engines are capable of 140+ BHP and his modified OEM frames seem to be able to handle that sort of power with no problems, I've seen many riders on Rex's bikes stomping the opposition at frightening speed, with not a wobble.

I'm (slowly) building my racer project with a well braced OEM K2 frame and an alloy early Katana swingarm. The 'arm is about 3 inches longer than the OEM Honda item so it should add stability in a straight line, but may "slow" the steering somewhat. I'm hoping that changing the front wheel to an 18" item, might counter this slightly. All good fun, for sure. Here's a pic of Rex's road bike. Cheers, Terry. ;D
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Offline Uncle Ernie

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Re: Featherbed Mojo?
« Reply #2 on: May 14, 2006, 12:17:23 PM »
"The 'arm is about 3 inches longer than the OEM Honda item so it should add stability in a straight line, but may "slow" the steering somewhat."

                                                      :o ??? :o

Wow- how did you come up with that length?  I would seriously think that that would make turns scarey. Maybe an inch... What's your thinking?
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Offline Terry in Australia

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Re: Featherbed Mojo?
« Reply #3 on: May 14, 2006, 02:05:25 PM »
G'Day Ernie, well the "3 inches" is a guess as I haven't looked at it for maybe a year, but from memory, it was a fair bit longer than the CB750 item. I can try shortening it, but I'll be asking for a collective "group think" on the best method for doing this, before I start.

I don't know how badly it'll effect the handling though, I set the swingarm up in the frame, and mocked it up with some  wheels and sat it beside my Suzuki GS1000S (a very sweet handler compared to our bikes) and it was still a tad shorter, and the geometry appears to be very close? Cheers, Terry. ;D
I was feeling sorry for myself because I couldn't afford new bike boots, until I met a man with no legs.

So I said, "Hey mate, you haven't got any bike boots you don't need, do you?"

"Crazy is a very misunderstood term, it's a fine line that some of us can lean over and still keep our balance" (thanks RB550Four)

Offline Uncle Ernie

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Re: Featherbed Mojo?
« Reply #4 on: May 14, 2006, 10:54:40 PM »
Mmmmm- well, I'd like to know how it turns out. I'm very curious.  At least you'll have a hill climber or drag bike if it doesn't turn.   ;)
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Offline crazypj

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Re: Featherbed Mojo?
« Reply #5 on: May 15, 2006, 10:44:06 AM »
 The featherbed set some standards that are still being used ( rake, trail, wheelbase etc) but, it only had to deal with 50~60 HP and a lightweight engine.
Put a lot more power into it with a heavy engine and you have the same problems. Its a lot better than stock, but finding one to cut up may be a problem ::)
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Offline Terry in Australia

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Re: Featherbed Mojo?
« Reply #6 on: May 15, 2006, 02:02:35 PM »
No need to find an original PJ, Ken McIntosh in New Zealand can build you a replica Norton frame, and if you tell him what you're gonna do with it, he can brace it accordingly.

He is famous on this side of the pond for his magnificent McIntosh Suzuki's of the early 1980's, they won many races here and just about everywhere else, and are still one very sexy motorcycle!

http://www.manxnorton.co.nz/home/
I was feeling sorry for myself because I couldn't afford new bike boots, until I met a man with no legs.

So I said, "Hey mate, you haven't got any bike boots you don't need, do you?"

"Crazy is a very misunderstood term, it's a fine line that some of us can lean over and still keep our balance" (thanks RB550Four)

Offline bill440cars

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Re: Featherbed Mojo?
« Reply #7 on: May 15, 2006, 02:19:47 PM »
                             I'd just like to know where all those Norton motors went when the Tritons, Norvins
             and whatever else was put into the "Featherbed frames?" I'd also be curious as to why anyone
             would pull a Norton motor and put a Triumph in it's place?


                             Terry, I'll bet that's one expensive but, well built frame.
                      I'd sure like to take that Manx, that is seen on his website, for a spin         

                                                                     Later on, Bill
« Last Edit: May 15, 2006, 02:25:06 PM by bill440cars »
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