1982 CM450e - City Commuter Cafe

The problem is that the swingarm moves in a radius,not up and down. You don't want to mount them like it. They need to be at an angle round 50 degrees. Set your shocks up then build your subframe to accomodate the shock angle. I've built two CM's with custom subframes and they both rode rather nicely. you can check my buildthread for examples. I would also suggest getting 13 1/2" shocks and build around them. That worst thing is to get it together and regret not doing something or doing it different.
 
Junior Burrell said:
The problem is that the swingarm moves in a radius,not up and down. You don't want to mount them like it. They need to be at an angle round 50 degrees. Set your shocks up then build your subframe to accomodate the shock angle. I've built two CM's with custom subframes and they both rode rather nicely. you can check my buildthread for examples. I would also suggest getting 13 1/2" shocks and build around them. That worst thing is to get it together and regret not doing something or doing it different.
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Thanks for the input. I've read through your builds and definitely taken some tips away from them. How much of an angle is required? I know that you say they should be around 50 degrees, but I don't know if I can change them enough to get there without having to rebuild the whole thing. Is there a minimum angle that they need to be?
 
Imho it would be best to redo some of it,The vertical tubing should be moved forward so that it is in front of the rear wheel. You have to think about the fact that you are taking a cruiser and turning it into a cafe. Also think about weight distribution,you are going to put weight over the front of the bike. Its geometry was designrd to put weight more over the rear. The angle on the shocks also helps to put force against the rear wheel,especially in the turns. Jyust cut off n relocate those bars,then you can raise the upper part to get more clearance. Don't worry,the best bikes are the ones that were cut apart n put back together a few times.
 
Thanks. I've done car frames before, but this is my first bike frame, so I'm learning the geometry rules as I go. When you say that the vertical tubing should be in front of the rear wheels, do you mean where the vertical tube meets the seat tube?

I definitely understand that this bike will be cut apart a few times, haha. This is already my second version of the frame.
 
DoTheTodd said:
Thanks. I've done car frames before, but this is my first bike frame, so I'm learning the geometry rules as I go. When you say that the vertical tubing should be in front of the rear wheels, do you mean where the vertical tube meets the seat tube?

I definitely understand that this bike will be cut apart a few times, haha. This is already my second version of the frame.
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exactly
 
I see that you did that on your red bike, but on your green bike the vertical tube connects over the rear wheel. Is this ok since you have that second tube connecting the two, or am I missing something?
 
I stretchehed the swingarm 3 inches,there should be a pic of it on there. It has more to do with the shock placement on the tube. And also how it applies your weight to the chassis. heres an updated pic of it.
 

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That makes more sense then, I forgot that you made that new swing arm. Thanks for clarifying. Great looking bikes by the way.
 
Thanks man, if you look at the seat you can see how some of my weight is pushing down on the shocks to the rear wheel. then the rest is centered over the bike + whats applied on the front from clip ons. But its equally distributing my weight over the bike evenly.
 
Junior,

I got some time in on the bike this weekend and worked on the rear shock angle. What do you think of this? I'm pretty comfortable with it at this point after taking your direction. I know that you said to build the new subframe around the tallers shocks, but my dad was free to help out, and I wasn't about to turn down the second pair of hands. So I just went for it, and I will be ordering my taller shocks today. I'll install them when they get here and make sure there are no issues before I have the frame finish welded. Note: The upper shock mounts are not installed, so the shocks are just placed there for the visual.

 
A lot better,and once the taller shocks are in place it should even everything out.
 
I'm looking at the shocks now and I can't decide on the length. Stock length is 12.5", so obviously I want to go taller since these don't give me the stance or clearance that I want/need. I was originally looking at some that are 13.2", but looking at the picture in my last post, I don't think those will give enough clearance. My next step would be 14.5", but I don't know if what would raise it too high and look funny.

I'm leaning towards the 14.5", any suggestions of which ones to get? I was going to go with a set from Dime City Cycles, but they are sold out of that size in the style that I want. I need something that is a reasonable cost, since I'm still trying to build this bike on a budget.
 
Check ebay, good shocks for good prices. I would go with the 14.5" shocks. the subframe is reall close to the tire and the 2" will give it a sporty look. Should give it a nice rake towards the front. Thats the way I personally like em but everyone is different. The seperation between the tire and the cowl looks good.imo. I also really like the way the ride like that also.
 
I attached the rearsets and rear brake linkage, which fit perfectly after I flipped the drum lever to go up instead of down. But now I'm trying to figure out where to mount the spring to retract the brake pedal and I'm drawing a blank. I don't want it to be half-assed since it serves a pretty important purpose. Any thoughts from experience?
 
Drill a hole in the hub and have a smooth stud coming out to attach the spring directly to the lever.
 
It doesn't seem like there is enough room to the rear of the lever to have a functional spring. I thought about attaching it there, but maybe I'm missing something. Is this the way you did it? I tried looking at your thread, but I couldn't find a picture that had enough detail to figure yours out.
 
I received the springs that I ordered this past weekend. They are the same ones as what I was looking at on DCC, so that all worked out well. I got the upper spring mounts tacked in and the springs look so much better than the stockers. I think the bike has a really great stance now, and should be even better once the weight of the engine gets added.

New shocks all mounted up:


Stance:


Rear tire clearance (Note: the stubs from the shock mounts will be cut off once the final welding is complete):
 
I also got a phone call from the shop that has my engine. The place where they ordered the new parts from neglected to actually ship those parts. So they are finally in as of today and he said that I should have my engine back by the end of the week, then I can finally start putting that back together.
 
Stance looks real tough. Keep up the good work, can't wait to see her put back together!
 
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