Help with Gas Tank on Frames / Swingarm

[gsalter]

Hey Guys we need your help.


We are working on some production / bolt on tanks. What I need to know is what yr of Hondas / models used the same mounting hardware / brackets for what yr of bikes?
And does anyone want to replace that Pig of a swing arm on their Honda?


1.
example: My 1978 CB750 tank does that bolt to say a 1978 CB500 / CB550?
We just got all our pieces back for our tank from the laser cutter to make it a more production friendly piece. We drew the tank up on CAD and had the parts laser cut. Kinda like a puzzle. We just need to assemble it now. Opposed to our last one that was made entirely by hand. Which is nice but not practical to try and sell.


The goal is for us to have tanks that will be direct bolt on's with no need to modify the frame or mounting hardware. These will be internal tanks then we will have tank side's so you can change the look of your bike. The tank sides mount directly to our internal tank with no visual hardware. It sounds complicated I know but it's actually very simple. It's how we did our bike.


2.
The Swing Arm we will be starting next week and will hopefully have our first prototype in two weeks.
My question here is how much demand if any do you think there is for such an item? The ones on the old bikes are
a little less than desirable. I have seen the usual after market ones but they just look BAD! (not in a good way either). The goal is to have a very functional part. Strong, Stiff, Low Weight, direct bolt on, and it has to Look good.


Brief Description of the swing arm:
First Swing Arm is going to be for Honda CB 750 (78)
Made from Aluminum.
Fully CNC'D with Stainless inserts at the dropouts. (NO Gouging of the alloy this way)
Roller Bearings opposed to Bushings. (Stiffer and more responsive with suspension.)
Disc brake or non-Disc
Clearance for wider tire if desired.



Thanks in advanced for your help
Grant
www.cafefabrications.com
http://cafefabrications.blogspot.com/


Feel free to answer on this thread or you can PM me.

 

[Dyrden]

Well there is demand for swing arms. I just picked up an old Dresda. Carpy makes a copy of this one:


Untitled by bailey_james62@ymail.com, on Flickr

If youre going to use roller bearings using tapered ones like the ones used to replace the open roller for the triple trees. And making one to clear a large tire is a good idea. Also note the early 750s used a slightly shorter arm than later ones.

 

[Dyrden]

Speaking of parts in demand. If you could make/source the long bolts for the swinger, rear axle, engine mounting bolts you could probably sell those. Id much rather use new hardware and stainless would be great!

 

[Tim]

Exciting times! Thanks for joining the Site Supporter ranks Grant!

 

[Dyrden]

One more thing. Any intentions of producing a few of those header pipes that wrap around the engine then under the carbs? Love that look!

 

[teazer]

A CNC swingarm that's stiffer than chrome moly and cost effective. If you can do it it would be great, but it's a non-trivial task.

Replacement spindles are a good idea though, and using caged or crowded needle rollers is smart. tapered are fine but simple needle rollers are probably better - we use them in all our customs and race bikes.

And why is that Dresda/Carpy copy arm using FVQ shocks aka Fade very quickly. They lost all their damping after about 10 miles, though I agree they look cool. Dave Degens is still making the original Dresda stuff on his original jigs. Why get a copy when you can get an original, from the original manufacturer. At least he was last time I checked - he may have retired I guess.

 

[Mr.E]

As far as I can tell (haven't tried this yet but the mounting looks spot on) a stock 69-78 cb750k tank will also fit a cb500t frame. I actually just picked up a 500t tank with the intent of swapping cause it already has knee dents and a smaller profile. The products you are talking about sounds great. Id love a litter/better swingarm on my rolling anvil!

 

[Dyrden]

A CNC swingarm that's stiffer than chrome moly and cost effective. If you can do it it would be great, but it's a non-trivial task.

Replacement spindles are a good idea though, and using caged or crowded needle rollers is smart. tapered are fine but simple needle rollers are probably better - we use them in all our customs and race bikes.

And why is that Dresda/Carpy copy arm using FVQ shocks aka Fade very quickly. They lost all their damping after about 10 miles, though I agree they look cool. Dave Degens is still making the original Dresda stuff on his original jigs. Why get a copy when you can get an original, from the original manufacturer. At least he was last time I checked - he may have retired I guess.

Yea the shocks look cool, its not for the track, I have an R1 for that. I think people get Carpys because they cant get one from Dave. Hes still working as far as I know but doesnt make arms for CB's anymore, Im glad I was able to find one of his originals.

 

[JRK5892]

prob 0 help... but all dyna HD's take the same tank mounts, sportys the same.... could be a good money maker and i am sure i have one of each in the shop... also prob have a few dyna and sporty swing arms

 

[gsalter]

One more thing. Any intentions of producing a few of those header pipes that wrap around the engine then under the carbs? Love that look!

Dyrden

We actually spoke to Magna Flow about making them. What needs to happen first is that we need to see if it actually makes any improvement in the performance of the bike. We didn't really notice any difference. The actual cost of getting Magna Flow to do it was pretty ridiculous to say the least.


I also don't think the Tapered bearing's are a good idea. Sealed angular bearings like that work well for forks but require to much adjustment. Standard rollers with a zerk fitting in the swing arm should me more than sufficient. Certainly better that some shitty bushing. We may end up having to make our own swing arm bolt too.
I contacted Fastenal and they will make the swing arm bolt at their custom Fab shop in Minnesota or someplace up there. But we can do it just at easy I think.


Thanks everyone this is very helpful for us.
Although I agree with the Dresda / Carpy swing arms I think there is still a lot of room for improvement. If we can make one that performs as good as the Dresda but looks super nice then I think we will have what Charlie Sheen would call a WINNER!


g

 

[Dyrden]

Dyrden

We actually spoke to Magna Flow about making them. What needs to happen first is that we need to see if it actually makes any improvement in the performance of the bike. We didn't really notice any difference. The actual cost of getting Magna Flow to do it was pretty ridiculous to say the least.


I also don't think the Tapered bearing's are a good idea. Sealed angular bearings like that work well for forks but require to much adjustment. Standard rollers with a zerk fitting in the swing arm should me more than sufficient. Certainly better that some shitty bushing. We may end up having to make our own swing arm bolt too.
I contacted Fastenal and they will make the swing arm bolt at their custom Fab shop in Minnesota or someplace up there. But we can do it just at easy I think.


Thanks everyone this is very helpful for us.
Although I agree with the Dresda / Carpy swing arms I think there is still a lot of room for improvement. If we can make one that performs as good as the Dresda but looks super nice then I think we will have what Charlie Sheen would call a WINNER!


g

I like the modern/classic combo look and you guys pulled it off well. Ill keep you in mind on my next build when Im no doubt looking for another swinger, exhaust, etc....

 

[gsalter]

Thanks to everyone for the advice. We are drawing up the new swing arm.. I will show you guys a quick CAD drawing when the prelim is done. We also decided to make our own swing arm bolt. I think you guys will like it.


g

 

[Dyrden]

Sweet!