Nailbomb
Central New York XS650
Ad hominem argument. Nice. Anyway discrediting me offers little in the way of argument. Early xs frames were weaker and how many failed in street use?
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Neck gussets
- Thread starter Capslocker
- Start date
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- Tags
- neck gussets
chizler62
XS650 Addict
There are free software programs that will print out a paper pattern you can transfer. Notice how bicycle gussets aren't completely welded and how they're mostly just wrapping the tube to the HT.
The typical gusset on an aftermarket frame isn't doing it's job. All you're doing is creating a can opener!
The typical gusset on an aftermarket frame isn't doing it's job. All you're doing is creating a can opener!
jd750ace
Front Toward Enemy
So, if all the frames have not snapped, they must be over engineered, so start throwing parts away, or assuming that because you seen a couple of hipsters on hack jobs without them that it must be OK? The earlier frames were not weaker, they flexed more. There is a difference. A very flexible design might endure just fine for decades without damage, other than scaring the life out of the rider. A weak member breaks. Not a great deal of that seen in any normally ridden street bikes. Things that are designed to flex to a large degree do it well. Things that are designed to flex to a small degree that are forced to do so to a larger magnitude because it has had it's geometry altered much less so. The frame is a system, not a collection of independently acting parts.
Titanic was fine piece of engineering for it's time. It's sister ships lived long lives aside from the odd anti ship mine. It's those damned icebergs that prove how good the engineering is.
Like the old saying goes getting by with X doesn't make it a safe practice.
The OP had a good plan; ask before cutting metal. Sounds like he's on a good path. Innovation is fine for those willing to take the risks. Many home aircraft builders cut up their planes when they are done flying them, rather then sell them whole.
As kids my bud and I built push go carts from whatever was laying around. Scrap wood and anything with wheels. Surviving a run to the bottom of the "Oak Street hill" was a mark of successful engineering. We are both a bit fussier now.
early gussets
View attachment 49366
Like the old saying goes getting by with X doesn't make it a safe practice.
The OP had a good plan; ask before cutting metal. Sounds like he's on a good path. Innovation is fine for those willing to take the risks. Many home aircraft builders cut up their planes when they are done flying them, rather then sell them whole.
As kids my bud and I built push go carts from whatever was laying around. Scrap wood and anything with wheels. Surviving a run to the bottom of the "Oak Street hill" was a mark of successful engineering. We are both a bit fussier now.
early gussets
View attachment 49366
wherearewe
Rub on Ya Titties
When i replaced the gussets on my build, I used Hugh's Dimpled model. NZ where i live has very strict modified vehicle rules. I can't go round making structural changes willy-nilly. If i do i have major hassles getting it certified and declared legal.
To cut a long story short, i use a guy who specialises in chassis repairs and building race bikes in NZ and Australia for any structural stuff. I know him pretty well, and at no stage did he say the factory neck gussets were marvels of design. In fact his exact words were "good job ditching those gussets. They look pretty stock Jap". Just some background....
My opinion is running without gussets at all is asking for a cracked frame. Same goes for ditching the upper mounts. I personally would ALWAYS retain the function of both. However the OP just asked what thickness metal to use...
Most importantly, I'd say bad welds are far more likely to fail than a neck gusset itself.
To cut a long story short, i use a guy who specialises in chassis repairs and building race bikes in NZ and Australia for any structural stuff. I know him pretty well, and at no stage did he say the factory neck gussets were marvels of design. In fact his exact words were "good job ditching those gussets. They look pretty stock Jap". Just some background....
My opinion is running without gussets at all is asking for a cracked frame. Same goes for ditching the upper mounts. I personally would ALWAYS retain the function of both. However the OP just asked what thickness metal to use...
Most importantly, I'd say bad welds are far more likely to fail than a neck gusset itself.
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muks
XS650 Enthusiast
wherearewe
Rub on Ya Titties
muks
XS650 Enthusiast
Thanks wherearewe. Good to know for future reference! I'm pretty close so could come in handy if I get myself in a jam. I've just checked out his website, looks like they're capable of doing most things!
