casting aluminum

[rockcitycafe]

not even sure where to post this... I just finished my 20lb aluminum foundry, a project that between not having the time or materials to finish, took almost 2 years... I plan on starting with things like headlight ears, clipons, top trees, not sure what else to do, it was almost a solution in search of a problem... anyone got any ideas for bike things they've wanted to cast?

 

[Sonreir]

A bunch of coasters (like for drinks) with the DTT logo embossed on them.

The can double as kick-stand bases when parking on soft surfaces.

I'd buy one.

 

[canyoncarver]

Ditto on the coaster kickstand. Better yet, build thread on the foundry setup. I've been thinking of doing the same.

 

[Rich Ard]

How are you going to be heat treating and testing structural parts?

 

[rockcitycafe]

not sure yet, top trees aren't that structural, old honda ones cracked all the time, you'd of course have to replace it, but it wouldn't result in a crash, headlight ears, same deal, the clipons do concern me though, heat treating wouldn't be needed because 6061 even at T0 is plenty strong enough for a beefy clipon bar, it would be the entrapped gas and microcracking that would worry me... even though almost all those parts are cast on any bike you see

 

[savheadbanger]

Anybody interested in this kinda stuff, look up Dave Gingery.

Ive been meaning to get my foundry going as well but life keeps getting in the way. Keep us updated guy, i want a coaster too.

 

[jsharpphoto]

what about upper and lower triples that accept modern fork tubes but the older honda stems? Those might be better CNC'd then cast though. I'm not an expert, or anywhere close.

 

[reds]

not sure yet, top trees aren't that structural, old honda ones cracked all the time, you'd of course have to replace it, but it wouldn't result in a crash, headlight ears, same deal, the clipons do concern me though, heat treating wouldn't be needed because 6061 even at T0 is plenty strong enough for a beefy clipon bar, it would be the entrapped gas and microcracking that would worry me... even though almost all those parts are cast on any bike you see

Different casting processes and technologies equal different results in final product

 

[rockcitycafe]

So, forged being strongest, then die casting then standard?

 

[ako]

Some cool old fashioned belt buckles, but not cheesy.

 

[stroker crazy]

Put me down for a coaster/kickstand base!

Crazy

 

[rockcitycafe]

I'd love to do some cb350 dohc head conversions... they'd never sell but would be cool as f&*#

 

[jsharpphoto]

what about some tank badges?

 

[gregajo]

How about some kind of tail light housing that is sleek and rounded to match a seat hoop? One that could accept LED strip or something?

 

[AgentX]

Short ceriani-style headlamp ears, please! Imitations of the long style are all over the 'net. The short ones seem nowhere to be found. Don't make me go bottom-mount!

(Edit: and with that, I found a cheap-ish set on Ebay, nevermind for me...but I still think people would love them...)