Topic: 3d printed frame caps

[jvandyke]

Needed something to cover the ends of my frame.  Thought someone else might be able to use or modify.

I made this to cover the open end of the frame on my '72 CB500K.  Fit is a tad loose on purpose.  RTV it on, or use some magnets or whatever.  The "front" is intentionally oversized to cover the edges and then some, the raised portion fits inside the cut frame.  I printed in transparent ABS to use as lenses.  Might put some red LEDs in the frame tube tied to the brake light to act as extra brake lights, could also make blinkers out of them, or running light or whatever.

I put a piece of paper over the cut frame and did a crayon rubbing.  Took measurements with a caliper.  Created in Google Sketchup Make, 2015, exported to stl, moved over to my DaVinci printer (jailbroken) and printed away.
http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:838860

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Interesting solution.  Can you upload a picture of your cut frame?  Did you simply cut the ends of the frame, after the shock mounts and before the mounts for the fender and signal posts?

[jvandyke]

yep, so the section there is oblong due to the shock mount, it's a weird shape, no idea if it's similar on a 750 or whatever.  I don't think I have a good picture but I'll look.  I know there's easier ways to deal with it but this was fun.  Putting stealth lights in there is kinda cool.  I'm doing a cute little brake light and while the look is cute, the reduced visibility isn't so cool.  I have added running lights to my blinkers to this end as well.  In the end I will have more visibility at night than a stock bike, even if the surface area of the tail light is less, the addition of these, plus the front and rear blinkers now also being running lights should help.  I made them out of LEDs being concerned for voltage draw and recharge issues.  Those LEDs should not draw much, the blinker filaments are still old school incandesce

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Thanks for posting the picture.  I like the idea of the caps and the lights inside the caps.  I do see a potential issue.  It appears that you cut out the cross-member where the rear fender attaches (above the frame rails) so that you could end up with a lower profile seat pan.  I cannot tell whether you replaced it with a new lateral support flush to the frame rails.  If so, no problem.  IF you did not replace the cross-member, your frame will suffer from flex and twist at the rear end.

[jvandyke]

yep, been discussed a little already, I'm no expert but theres SO much steel in that area in a triangle of tubes I just can't imagine flex is going to be an issue for a light cruiser bar hopper.

[jvandyke]

lit

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Nice look with the clear inserts.