Nothing Special

[vernk]

So i got this '79 for $600 on good 'ol Craigslist. Got to hear her run once, bought her, got her home and stored her for a month or two. Never got her to run since then. Just started really tearing into her last week. This is my Second bike and second build. But first build this intense. First bike was a 85 honda vf700f interceptor that got streetfightered and transplanted w/ many other donor parts.

this bike...Chopped the rear initially to just bite the bullet and today pulled the motor. Mocked up the left rear shock just so it would roll. Not sure what to do with the rear. Originally wanted to monoshock. I was gifted a gsxr750 shock but the 13+" eye to eye i think is too long. I was hoping to top brace the swingarm to allow the shock to follow a straight line contour with the top slope of the main frame. Standard length swingarm and my 13" shock won't allow that. PLUS I'm having a hard time finding someone to mandrel bend the top brace since i have no such bender for tube. Anyone local to philly please give me a heads up.

What I got so far...forgive the cell phone picks

rear chopped, engine dropped

Down to where i'm pointing is actually where it would be inline, at baseline w/o weight/load, with the top frame tube.

now you see it!

now you don't!
gussets gone. will be cleaned up and replaced

a remote reservoir shock might fit nicely, but not at the angle i was thinking. any ideas on monoshocking? i've searched on here. some nice ones done, but i've yet to see a sticky tutorial on it? the top bracing angles seem important to no mess up to me...just seems logical to keep it inline. let me know if i'm thinking wrong. i've also seen some customized clevis mounts for the top and bottom of the shock. most notably the bottom i've seen many w/ the mount again not inline with the shock...if i see a pick i'll upload it here.

do you guys keep this or do you cut it out? i was thinking keep it and just mount my seat there?

still not sure bobber/cafe. def softail. votes?

 

[vernk]

Nothing really new to report with building. Really just had to clean up the shed! Did source out a 3" hughes fork lowering kit 25, and solid reg/rec 27 shipped on the cheap! Yea I need a new phone AND camera, i know

link to my left over parts in classifieds
http://www.xs650.com/forum/showthread.php?t=31637&highlight=special

 

[neanderthal]

you should just start building it. let it take its own path. looks like a good start.

 

[vernk]

Just sourced a 92 gsxr 600 rear shock w/ remote res that should fit the angle i want nicely. Check it out...

Now if I can just find a shop to bend up some 1" steel tube for the monoshock swinger. So far Philly is leaving me high and dry. Anyone able to point me in a direction?

Waiting on NYCO Hose in Souderton PA for a quote on a bend.

and FYI!!! I took a power steering hose for my daughter's car there and they reused the old fittings and put new hose/crimps etc for $60. No aftermarket support for this hose and dealer is 200+, cheapest online source was 160 +ship. Works great sweet deal +1 for NYCO on my ticket. Now if they can just get back to me on the bend!!

 

[DozerDan]

My bender is out on lone right now, but I should have it back withing the month. If you are still looking I can hook you up then. Will bend for beer

 

[vernk]

Dozer that is very kind of you sir! What type of bender is it? I do have the steel, however if you know of any sources I'd love DOM tube instead of the welded tube I have. Do you think structurally it's going to make THAT much difference for my application? oh and where in NJ are you? Thanks again!

 

[DozerDan]

pro tools 105hd, I do not have a die that will bend that tight, but could graft it together. I have ~8' of 1" .135 wall DOM around the house.

Fazzios have good prices and lots of locations in our area.

DOM has minimal advantages over HREW, esp when you are comparing same sized wall thickness. I use it when I can find it for a good price, but honestly for your application you do not need it.

I am right off 8 on the njtp, so not too far.


Hit me up if you want/need help/info. I have a bunch of tools that I dont get to use enough any more

 

[vernk]

Well, that's settled. I'll use my tube. It's just a bit thinner than yours at .120" Fastenal in Philly had 8' laying around for 20bucks. If you have any insight on the monoshock I'd appreciate it. Looking around here and other places yield some info but no actual conversion how to or faq. My ideas on the angle of the swingarm bracing and shock are simply street logic. Not based on anything engineering. I attempted to contact the few on here that have nicely done their monoshock to no avail.

 

[vernk]

forgive the mess. drag bars came in might be getting a bender from santa this year. anyone with experience with the Pro 2 Bender?

http://www.metalbendingtool.com/pro-2-bender

Crazy cheaper than the others out there and the dies are ridiculously cheaper as well. American made and lifetime warranty...Thinking deeply on this one. Not that I don't want help, Dozer but I like tools

 

[vernk]

Slow progress w/ only sporadic availability to work. She had a bit of a growth spurt the other day

 

[kopcicle]

You may want to look at that rear shock geometry a little closer ...

~kop

 

[vernk]

Tell me about it I've been asking around but no advice yet

 

[kopcicle]

like maybe lift that loop attached to the swingarm up a bit so it doesn't over center when compressed ...


~kop

 

[TwoManyXS1Bs]

Vernk, I'd love to help out with your suspension design, but being on a smartphone is very limiting. To cover the geometries, force vectors, and potential spring values, I'd need a greaseboard and room to flail my arms about.

'bout the only thing I could offer right now is to recommend bracing that top hoop to avoid buckling...

 

[vernk]

oh yes....its not done, the top loop will be braced on the front end and on the sides. should have mentioned that. is that good enough you think?

kop....over center? forgive my lack of knowledge

 

[vernk]

only tacked in place to give a rough angle, get suggestions and show the general idea.

xs1b i can wait!!

 

[TwoManyXS1Bs]

xs1b i can wait!!

Haha, too bad the transporter's down, and the Vulcan 'mind-meld' button is missing.
Been struggling on how to explain this, xsleo and 5twins are gifted in this area.
If you view from the side, there are specific points in space that define the functional actions of your monoshock design. They are: the swingarm pivot point, the axle center, the wheel contact point, the upper hoop linkpin to the shock, and the forward shock linkpin to the frame. The dynamic in this is the springrate of the shock. If you could draw this out, scaled, measurements indicated, and weight(s) involved, then it would be possible to do a force vector analysis, indicating loads, loadpaths, mechanical requirements, and suitable spring rate and preload. (I'm also waving my arms here, see?)...

 

[kopcicle]

well think , as the rear axle moves up the loop you attached and the rear shock attachment move forward AND down in relation to the forward shock mount . If the angle moves past center the shock and spring will actually force the wheel up into the bike .

~kop

 

[vernk]

i'll wave my arms as well. tried a quick google, couldn't find a spring rate for the shock i have...although i am limited at work of the sites i can visit. can you dumb it down for me and suggest a design that would be safe and effective? i did read around that a replacement spring might be a possibility? i had a hard time finding a shock that would roughly fit the space in question, let alone the price i had to pay for it....almost nill.

 

[vernk]

the top loop will be braced in at least 3 areas to take any forces upon it. will this take care of what you are thinking...or am i still lost in translation kop?