Recommendations for a looped hardtail

vansmetal

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I’ve been looking like crazy for a looped hardtail. Does anyone know someone who fabricates weld on looped hardtails for the xs650(as in something similar to David Bird or like the one in pic by jumpstreet…both dudes are retired now )? Thanks
 

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I’ve been looking like crazy for a looped hardtail. Does anyone know someone who fabricates weld on looped hardtails for the xs650(as in something similar to David Bird or like the one in pic by jumpstreet…both dudes are retired now )? Thanks
I don't blame ya for looking; a clean classic design! Lowbrow Customs used to sell the Bird weld-on hardtails maybe they have a lead on one.

Alternatively, maybe @Travis has a lead on one of his customers that could make ya one (using his frame jig);)
 
I don't blame ya for looking; a clean classic design! Lowbrow Customs used to sell the Bird weld-on hardtails maybe they have a lead on one.

Alternatively, maybe @Travis has a lead on one of his customers that could make ya one (using his frame jig);)

I got in touch with low brow and they said they didn’t. That would be awesome to find someone to make one!
 
I thought about taking a TC Bros and cutting it up. It’s not a 180 degree bend but still would be a struggle on average benders. Here’s an idea:
1 Fill your chosen tubing up with sand and cap the ends off.
2 Find something steel your desired diameter. Black steel pipe, scrap round stock, etc.
3 Weld this to the table.
4 Weld one end of your tubing to the table against the diameter stock you’ve chosen.
5 Use Oxy/Ace or Oxy/Pro to heat until glowing red and bend around. I’d probably have the exact degree of angle marked on the weld table as to not over or under bend.
6 Cut to fit. Use solid round stock metal slugs to attach to the frame at the butt weld. Leave a gap for weld.
7 Axle gussets…Dunno. Maybe reuse the old ones?
Before cutting off the old, pointy ends of the TC Bros, I’d weld reinforcement bars so the hard tail doesn’t loose it’s geometry.
 
I thought about taking a TC Bros and cutting it up. It’s not a 180 degree bend but still would be a struggle on average benders. Here’s an idea:
1 Fill your chosen tubing up with sand and cap the ends off.
2 Find something steel your desired diameter. Black steel pipe, scrap round stock, etc.
3 Weld this to the table.
4 Weld one end of your tubing to the table against the diameter stock you’ve chosen.
5 Use Oxy/Ace or Oxy/Pro to heat until glowing red and bend around. I’d probably have the exact degree of angle marked on the weld table as to not over or under bend.
6 Cut to fit. Use solid round stock metal slugs to attach to the frame at the butt weld. Leave a gap for weld.
7 Axle gussets…Dunno. Maybe reuse the old ones?
Before cutting off the old, pointy ends of the TC Bros, I’d weld reinforcement bars so the hard tail doesn’t loose it’s geometry.

If you ever do…show it off here first!
 
With the experience, knowledge, and capability that TC Bros has of our Yamaha's, they would be able to fabricate just what you want by just showing them that picture, without an endless conversation. Call them, they answer the phone, they even answer the door, They just might do it for the right price, paid in advance.
 
With the experience, knowledge, and capability that TC Bros has of our Yamaha's, they would be able to fabricate just what you want by just showing them that picture, without an endless conversation. Call them, they answer the phone, they even answer the door, They just might do it for the right price, paid in advance.

I didn’t think about that…I’ll give it a try
 
With the experience, knowledge, and capability that TC Bros has of our Yamaha's, they would be able to fabricate just what you want by just showing them that picture, without an endless conversation. Call them, they answer the phone, they even answer the door, They just might do it for the right price, paid in advance.


I received an email back from tc bros and it said that they couldn’t provide the item at this time.
 
I just drove up to TC Bros over my Christmas break. They still have a walk in showroom and store. No waiting on delivery with possible tank or fender dent damage. Lowbrow pissed me off. Reason: I drove over 3hrs up there. Get up there and a sign says closed to the public. So I call. Tell the lady I know what I’m after and drove several hours. Can she sell me what I want. I have cash and know SKU numbers. No bueno. She tells me it’s posted on their website about showroom closing. I’ll be damned if I seen it. If I saw that, I sure as shit wouldn’t have wasted $75 on gas driving towards the shit hole known as Cleveland. Haha. I got on 80 toll road and drove west to Archbold. (Which is only 1 1/2 straight north) and got all my stuff quick and easy. TC Bros used to be in Wauseon Ohio which has one the countries biggest vintage bike swap meets in the country.
 
I’m right in the middle of this right now. I already have my fender mounts fabbed up with the TC Bros hardtail….or I’d loop it. I wish-boned the front down tube. It’s not perfect. Has a little kick in it. By the time the motor is mounted, shouldn’t be as noticeable.
 

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I’m right in the middle of this right now. I already have my fender mounts fabbed up with the TC Bros hardtail….or I’d loop it. I wish-boned the front down tube. It’s not perfect. Has a little kick in it. By the time the motor is mounted, shouldn’t be as noticeable.

Looking good!!
 
Thinking out loud
It looks to have been made in a Pipe Bending machine.
These have a worksheet that the operator works from. I don't remember exactly
But as in at 300 mm bend + 15 degrees and then after 400 mm - 46 degrees and so on.

Depending on your skills you can make the sheet yourself .In Cooperation with the shop.
If you can get hold of one such Worksheet .. A local shop can bend it
Maybe in a left and right side version and then weld the sides. together
 
I tend to have primitive thought processes. Heat. Steady balanced pressure. Geometry. How things were made before CNC. I’d never noticed until recently, Model T spokes wheels were brazed. Mind you these vehicles didn’t go probably over 35 mph. Haha. Anywho, on the beginning of motorcycles, frames were bent with heat and basically brazed. Our stock 650 are not power houses.
 
I’ve been looking like crazy for a looped hardtail. Does anyone know someone who fabricates weld on looped hardtails for the xs650(as in something similar to David Bird or like the one in pic by jumpstreet…both dudes are retired now )? Thanks
I believe lowbrow will make one to order for you.
 
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