Grrrr650 my first build

[ehdave]

Big Rich,

That might be a better idea, I really dont want to destroy this tank. I might have to try making a nice looking battery box (if there is such a thing) and mount it in the open part of the frame, then mount the electricals under the seat hump as you suggest. I have also been thinking about making a box that sits under the front of the seat and painting it black to match the frame so it's not too obvious but I doubt a battery will fit in it, although the electrics may fit. I doubt I would be able to fit the battery under the hump though as I intend to make it pretty low due to the way the tank slopes back.

Hi Ian,

no worries mate, being a Brabham it would probably be worth a bit now. By the look of it I can remove most of it but that part of the seam will probably still sit a little lower than the rest of it (if that makes any sense). Due to this I'm not sure if its the right way to go.

Cheers
Dave

 

[ck]

Hi Dave,
Any progress w/ the bike? Where in Brisbane are you?
Would be nice to go for a ride sometimes (as soon as we finish our bikes
of course )
Martin

 

[ehdave]

Hi Dave,
Any progress w/ the bike? Where in Brisbane are you?
Would be nice to go for a ride sometimes (as soon as we finish our bikes
of course )
Martin

Hi Martin,

Sorry I haven't been on here for a while (I am currently busy overloading myself with projects, I just bought an aussie 56 desoto diplomat), I live in forest lake on the south east side of brisbane. Where are you located? I am currently trying to sell my austin healy sprite so I can have some shed space to finish off the bike and then get stuck into the desoto, but it would be cool to catch up for a ride when the bikes are done.

I haven't done much to the bike in a fair while but I will have to get it done soon as my mates are hounding me to go for a ride and I really miss riding. On the positive side I recently got my full bike licence so now I can ride any bike I want ;D

Cheers
Dave

 

[ehdave]

Well this bike is still driving me nuts, I'm actually thinking of bobbing it now similar to this bike

There are a couple of things that concern me about doing it this way, one being that the upper seat frame wouldn't be strong enough to take the torsional loads transfered from bumps/pot holes etc. up through the swing arm into the upper frame or where the frame meets the swing arm wouldn't be strong enough.

My other concern is that I injured my back and tail bone last year so I think the ride would be a bit rough so I was thinking that if a made a new rear section with plunger suspension it might be more suitable for me.

I have pulled the rear shock out and tested the seating position at this height and I like it.

Has any one got some words of wisdom about this because once I dont want to ruin the frame trying this.

Cheers
Dave

 

[Big R]

What about chopping the very rear off the frame and putting a small solo seat? I believe Desert Rat and Spitse (from the GR forum) did and they are both nice looking scoots.

 

[ehdave]

hey Big Rich,

i'm not so keen on the way they built theirs, the frame under the seat looks a little untidy to me. i did consider cutting it in the same spot and welding a nicely curved tube to go from one side to the other with a nicely shaped seat but i'm leaning more towards the bobber look now.

looks like your bike is coming along nicely 8)

Cheers
Dave

 

[Big R]

Thanks Dave!

I've spent too many hours just staring at the frame as well. One idea I had was to cut the entire frame for the seating area except for the tubes that come up for support. Then weld a bar between them and use that bar to support the rear of a solo seat.

Either way- keep at it. You'll come up with something.

 

[ehdave]

The biggest problem for me is getting it all approved by an engineer, even changing the seat requires a modification plate over here (I'm in Brisbane, Australia). I finally found a local engineer and sent him an email to see if these modifications are legal and if I can do them myself, doing the seat myself is no problem but I will have to wait and see on the hardtail or plunger set up. This is a lot of the reason for the project stall, I dont want to build it just to find out it cant be used on the road.

I might concentrate on cleaning, polishing and rebuilding what I can until the engineer gets back to me so that it doesn't just sit there.

Cheers
Dave