Author Topic: Foale frame CB750 (Read 36317 times)

RupertB · « **Reply #25 on:** November 06, 2011, 12:15:26 PM »

To my wife's puzzlement and annoyance I wandered out to the garage with the bathroom scales in response to the weight request above, and roughly (as they are not high tech scales) I make the frame to be about 14 kilos, and the swinging arm about a further 4 to 4.5 kilos. Add in the front downtubes and I suppose you have a rough total for the whole frame of no more than 20 kilos. Better than the Jota trellis which took three angry men and a chain hoist to lift it!
Further improvements to the power to weight ratio are available if I go on a diet.
If.....

RupertB · « **Reply #26 on:** November 12, 2011, 12:17:39 PM »

The annual reorganisation of the garage was done today, and photos posted to show. As you will see, the workbench is now home for the Foale frame, and once the wheels are done I will probably put the frame and forks etc back together loosely to see what should go where. The engine will eventually go together (not by my hand!) and be offered to the frame to see how the bulk of it goes, and then and only then will the frame get painted. Actually, looking at the photos, all it probably needs is a reasonably big hammer and a pot of glue to get it sorted. You will also see that the garage is a bit crowded, but I can still get the door shut so I think that means I haven't got enough bikes yet.

Terry in Australia · « **Reply #27 on:** November 12, 2011, 02:15:16 PM »

Very nice mate, I had 8 bikes in my garage this time last year and I'm down to 3 complete bikes and a couple of projects, and I'm loving the extra space I've got, it got so crowded that I was doing all the work on my bikes out in the driveway! Now I've got the room I've finally bought a bike lift like yours and am enjoying working at a comfortable height. I'm not missing the other bikes either, as I don't have enough time to ride the ones I have now. I am thinking a Harley Sportster might be nice though, and I've got plenty of room for one.............. Cheers, Terry.

RupertB · « **Reply #28 on:** November 12, 2011, 04:02:11 PM »

Those workbenches are amazing. Don't know how I managed without one. I wondered about moving a couple of bikes to the in-laws' garage a couple of miles away, but last time I did that I found loads of green fence paint on the wheels when it came back. Father-in-law is nearly 91 and a lifelong bike enthusiast, ex-car racing mechanic, machined the very first spindles for Ernie Earles forks, but now not as tidy as he was!
What's the story with those front discs and calipers? They look very useful.
Not sure about a Harley - or do you not have any corners out there?

Terry in Australia · « **Reply #29 on:** November 12, 2011, 05:16:39 PM »

G'Day Mate, well there you go, I always thought Earles forks were a German invention, only because BMW used them for so long, but that makes sense, "Earles" isn't a particularly Germanic name, ha ha!

The front end on that bike is a hybrid of Yamaha FZR1000 and CB750 parts, CB750 hub with spacers mated to FZR1000 forks, with alloy slab yokes machined to maintain the original rake and trail. 4 pot calipers are a hell of a revelation compared to the OEM set up, and was positively frightening first time I performed a "panic stop", I managed to lift the back wheel! I thought about storing my bikes elsewhere too, but I can't see the pont, I just don't get that many opportunities to ride them, and the cost of keeping them in batteries, tyres, chains and sprockets etc is horrific.

I owned a Sporty many years ago, it was a 1985 "Iron Head" model with twin front discs and a larger "Roadster" tank, and it was a superb handler, it badly needed decent rear shocks as the OEM ones were rubbish, but I pissed all over my mate on his Guzzi T3 (with LM1 top end and 36mm dellortos) on the 500 mile ride to Bathurst for the TT in 1987, much to his disgust. I wish I hadn't sold it! Cheers, Terry.

ivanhoew · « **Reply #30 on:** November 13, 2011, 01:24:50 AM »

a most interesting project ,thanks rupert/tom . book looks good too .:-)

RupertB · « **Reply #31 on:** November 13, 2011, 11:27:01 AM »

Out of interest I just bought the July 1976 edition of Bike magazine off ebay - the one with a road test of a bird in tight denim shorts, using the merciless exploitation of a Foale framed Honda as a backdrop. It says 'A basic (Foale) frame kit - frame, swinging arm and suspension unit finished in black enamel - comes out at around £350 plus VAT, and a complete rolling chassis (with Ceriani forks) would be around £1000.'
If I go up the road to Maxton I can get a rear shock unit for about £450 and a set of Ceriani forks for about £1250 (I think that is what they said - I passed out shortly afterwards...)
By comparison in that edition, GL1000 Wings were discounted to £1400, and a CB750F1 at £989.
And Ivanhoew - please buy the book - I need more oney for my Foale! And you'll like it too - Kindle or paperback, excellent Christmas present, and can you imagine the relatives' comments - 'I never knew he could read, I thought he was a motorcyclist...'

ivanhoew · « **Reply #32 on:** November 13, 2011, 12:23:43 PM »

haha gratuitous chance to show off ahoy !!!! showing off icon >>>i had a reading age of 15 at the age of 9 , so i think it would be more like ,''what ,he rides motorcyles ...my word .tchah !''

regards
robert

RupertB · « **Reply #33 on:** November 13, 2011, 12:31:27 PM »

My mother is in denial over my bikes - doesn't want to hear of them or speak about them, so I haven't mentioned the latest four....
Good job I never told her about the Hayabusa I had.
Still, she likes the book!
On a relevant note, I will be getting a professional metal bloke to get the Abes polished next week and go to collect the cases etc for vapour blasting very soon. Exciting times!

ivanhoew · « **Reply #34 on:** November 13, 2011, 12:34:42 PM »

most definately , and of course ,you do realize the lightest silencing system is allways going to be a turbocharger >>>

RupertB · « **Reply #35 on:** November 13, 2011, 12:50:28 PM »

Turbo? So tempting, but I have already bought the Wiseco 836's. I have (on Tony Foale's advice) opted not to use the oil in frame so have the dilemma of where to put an oil tank without obscuring the monoshock - such is the wish to have dependable lubrication, and that is without forced induction!

ivanhoew · « **Reply #36 on:** November 13, 2011, 01:00:35 PM »

with the 400/4 i simply added base gaskets till i got to where i wanted to be compression wise using yoshimura 450cc pistons ..very simple .:-)

RupertB · « **Reply #37 on:** November 13, 2011, 01:05:33 PM »

Highly tempting but I think natural aspiration is the order for now, but having said that you have given me an idea - the Foale frame makes engine removal so easy - unplug and disconnect everything, then five bolts later it is out. So - I could always work on a second engine after this one, I seem to be collecting enough spares!

ivanhoew · « **Reply #38 on:** November 13, 2011, 01:21:06 PM »

how is the foale frame with 160 bhp ?

RupertB · « **Reply #39 on:** November 13, 2011, 02:16:54 PM »

No idea - best I've known with it is pushing it. Handled OK into a van and then into my garage! Seriously though there has been a CBX engine put in one, apparently successfully, which is only 105hp but very heavy. The frame appears incredibly rigid though and for what it is worth the swing arm is box section - I suppose a good set of forks wouldn't go amiss, and probably some modern brakes and cast wheels, but as I say - that could be one for the future.

ivanhoew · « **Reply #40 on:** November 14, 2011, 01:16:43 AM »

go on admit it , you had the back end out as you went into the garage and countersteered ?

Terry in Australia · « **Reply #41 on:** November 14, 2011, 01:38:45 AM »

Let me know how the Abe polishing goes Tom, I've got them on my K1 and mine need something, I thought about just getting them powdercoated a gloss silver colour, as they get dirty and the "dimpling" makes them hard to clean. Cheers, Terry.

Retro Rocket · « **Reply #42 on:** November 14, 2011, 02:27:32 AM »

What about anodising them Terry.? Or even ceramic coating, there are some nice alloy finishes available, i am thinking of doing that with one of my frames to make it look like aluminium.... {spell checker loves that word}...

65Ch3v3LL3 · « **Reply #43 on:** November 14, 2011, 02:59:15 AM »

I had Chrome Pros Plating in Texas polish and chrome a set of 10 spoke Harley Vrod wheels for me in the past. The wheels were rough cast aluminum and they polished them smooth and then chromed them. They did an excellent job. I know you don't want chrome but you might consider contacting them to see if they would just do the polishing portion. They specialize in motorcycle wheels.

RupertB · « **Reply #44 on:** November 14, 2011, 01:44:03 PM »

Vapour blasting is meant to give an extremely smooth finish which is easier to keep clean and polished - this is what is going to be done to the cases etc, but I will keep you posted on the wheels. I must say I don't think they are particularly good quality to be honest, but certainly different and almost unknown in the UK, and look good.

Syscrush · « **Reply #45 on:** November 14, 2011, 08:34:57 PM »

Quote from: RupertB on November 14, 2011, 01:44:03 PM

Vapour blasting is meant to give an extremely smooth finish which is easier to keep clean and polished - this is what is going to be done to the cases etc, but I will keep you posted on the wheels. I must say I don't think they are particularly good quality to be honest, but certainly different and almost unknown in the UK, and look good.

Are they aluminum or magnesium? If they're mag, there are serious safety concerns about them given their age. I think you can have them x-rayed or otherwise checked for cracks. It would be awesome if you can use 'em, they look great.

Terry in Australia · « **Reply #46 on:** November 15, 2011, 04:43:19 AM »

To my knowledge they're aluminium, and as far as I know mine have been in regular use for many years without incident. I haven't seen Tom's up close, but I think the "quality" is as good as any cast wheel of the era, and better than some European wheels.

I remember in the late 1970's some early Ducati, Moto Guzzi and Laverda cast wheels were prone to cracking, (I can't remember the brand name, but they supplied all the Italian manufacturers and there were recalls from each factory) and conversely, BMW's early cast wheels were as soft as butter. My Abe wheels apear to be as well made as my cast wheels on my Suzuki GS1000, and I suspect that they probably came out of the same factory in Japan. Cheers, Terry.

Syscrush · « **Reply #47 on:** November 15, 2011, 06:14:22 AM »

Quote from: Terry in Australia on November 14, 2011, 01:38:45 AM

Let me know how the Abe polishing goes Tom, I've got them on my K1 and mine need something, I thought about just getting them powdercoated a gloss silver colour, as they get dirty and the "dimpling" makes them hard to clean. Cheers, Terry.

First, that bike looks awesome, and the wheels are a nice touch.

The cast wheels on my old Katana were rough and hard to clean, so when I painted the bike I did the following:

1. Sand them (relatively) smooth, removing all lettering except the "Suzuki" and directional arrow.
2. Shoot with 2 coats of high-build primer.
3. Sand the primer smooth.
4. Shoot with 1 more coat of a lighter primer/sealer.
5. Paint with a tough 2-part epoxy paint (Endura).

They came out with a tough, smooth finish that was easy to clean. Smoother than powdercoat. I don't know if it was as tough as powdercoat, but they never chipped in about 60,000km of road use.

Kanticoy · « **Reply #48 on:** November 15, 2011, 07:27:49 AM »

I'm so glad to see this thread started. I am a fan of two things that you have in great form if not abundance, and that it SOHC4's and Tony Foale. I have read his book through and through, and it is like taking an at home college course in motorcycle frame dynamics and handling. Very bright man. So to see you taking this on is quite amazing. Keep on sir, I am a fan.

RupertB · « **Reply #49 on:** November 15, 2011, 02:48:54 PM »

They are definitely alloy - as said, probably no worse than anything of the period. Will keep this thread updated anyway. I think the reputed dodgy wheels from the 70s were the Speedline ones as fitted to 900ss Ducatis (and probably other stuff) - I spoke to a seller/restorer of these bikes and he had one for reestoration with speedlines, and said 'I wouldn't even sit on it in case they give out'. If the Abes were that bad they'd probably have vanished inthe shot blasting, so am happy enough with the prospect. I have also collected a pair of bare hubs so I can always get them laced up as a backup - all bases covered!

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Author Topic: Foale frame CB750 (Read 36317 times)