Gauging interest for hard-tails...

64bastagebomr

DCC - Supporting Whiskey Fueled Mayhem Since 2009.
DTT SUPPORTER
Morning guys,

I spent the night last night in the shop finishing the jig for the CB750 hard-tails. I've got one 750 I need to get done before I can start on anything else but I wanted to gauge some interest on what you guys want to see..

1) Are there more of you who would like to see CB350 or CB450 hard-tails? Anything else?

2) Of those who are interested in a hard-tail what kind of hard-tail are you looking for?

What I mean by the above #2 is this...in doing a hard-tail there is a right way and wrong way. The tail I've done on my 450 is the right way. I removed essentially the entire back half of the frame and made a new engine mount set for the aft portion of the twin pounder along with extending the top backbone and making a new down support.

Other hard-tails I've seen simply remove the back quarter section of the frame which in my opinion doesn't look right. You cannot get the correct angles and it leaves you with the messy OE section in the lower middle portion where the swing-arm, etc all converges.

(Bad example hard-tail using the 1/4 method)
badtail.jpg


(A better bolt-on example that some people weld-on which still doesn't look right)
bettertail.jpg


(A good example of hard-tail)
goodtail.jpg


If there were detailed instructions and to quote Geico "it was so easy a Caveman could it" would you guys be looking for the more refined version? When you look at material costs there isn't a great increase and the final product will be much smoother IMO.

We would assemble them completely here and ship them complete in large boxes with detailed welding instructions. I'm even thinking about doing a YouTube video to walk someone through the entire process. Essentially all you would need is a bike ready for the tail, a grinder, a basic 110V welder (with gas), basic shop tools and the desire. The basic process would be to cut, line up the tubes (they will all be slugged for guaranteed accurate fitments) and weld away.

Let me know what you guys want to see and how you want to see it.. We work for you!

Jason
 
I'll also note that the one above has a 6" stretch.. We found that to be an optimum length not only for aesthetics but function. I'm 5'8" and given the placement of the forwards the bike can be perfectly controlled. Same goes for someone who's 6'5" we just build the brackets according. And the forward control system BTW, simply replaces the front lower engine mount. It's a complete bolt-on setup.

J
 
The third design is by far the only way to go. We picked a cb360 "chopper" in trade a while back for a buddy of mine that was hardtailed the first way. It looks like shit, rides like shit, and we havent touched it since b/c of that. If your goin to do it do it right, imo. That said, anyone have a stock cb360 frame layin around? I could use one! (Unless you want to use this frame as a test bed for your new hardtails. Ill ship it to ya, if i get it back... Just a thought.)
 
I figured that would be the general consensus..

Is the 360 the same as the 350? You'll have to school me. If it's not, I can simply make a add-on jig to support that frame. Let's figure that out first and then talk about sending me the one you have. I will need a frame to build from so that could work. I'd cut you a deal on the first tail of course.

Is that the one that's already chopped BTW or a stock one?

J
 
the last photo is definitely the best looking. out of all the chops ive seen on japanese bikes, they always looked funny because of the odd angles.

woudl it be possible to get mid controls still functioning instead of forward?
i always liked the frisco style pegs on HD's with knees high up.
 
Deli Sandwich said:
the last photo is definitely the best looking. out of all the chops ive seen on japanese bikes, they always looked funny because of the odd angles.

woudl it be possible to get mid controls still functioning instead of forward?
i always liked the frisco style pegs on HD's with knees high up.
Yes, you can always run mid controls on a bike. The real issue w them is when you lower a bike the mid controls create a clearance issue.

No I dont believe the 360 frame is the same as a 350. Dont hold me to that though. Im not positive.
 
I'd be interested depending on cost, but I guess I fall into an odd catagory as I don't want to stretch my 750F, much less 6" added to it. How much of a drop are you putting in your hardtail? I'd also like to keep my rear disc set up.
 
Thanks Deli, I put a lot of time and thought into it. I tried to keep the lines as minimalist as possible affording an even easy flow. You can't see because that's an old picture but, the new down tube in front of the seat is actually at the same angle as the front down tube.. It looks sweet. :)

I tried to achieve some feng-shui with it and got it as close as possible to making sure each angle and open space is divisible by the other measurements on the bike. Hence, it looks proportional.. You can see what I'm talking about if you look at the bike from an abstract POV considering all the lines.

As for mid controls that's going to be another option we're going to offer. It'll be comprised of essentially the same linkage system just shorted and the mid-controls will mount in the stock standard holes for easy installation.

Von, let's do it.. I'll PM you my address. It might take a while to get to it so no rush.

Charles, sorry about that. I should have clarified... The 750 will NOT have a 6" stretch. (Unless someone wants one of course.) The 750 may not get any stretch. An inch or two at most. Again though, it all depends on the aesthetics of it. We only opted to stretch the 450 since it has such a short wheel base from the factory. Like Deli said, the thing I saw on almost every other 350/450 hard-tail was that they looked "worked" do to the angles and overall size. Which was my reason for the stretch ended up where it did. I think we achieved a look that not many others have that looks natural. Almost, factory if you will.

Jason
 
Third pic looks awesome!! I'd be stoked on a 350 one!!

VonYinzer is right, 350 and 360 frames are different
 
Yup, 350 and 360 frames are completely different. One is mostly stamped steel, the other is mostly tube. I would think that the 360 would be easier to hardtail for sure, but the 350 is possible too. You'd just have to eliminate from the rear tank mount back essentially. Now an SL350 frame would be tits for a hardtail, and the cb motor fits fine. It's close but groovy. Hell, I just want to see some of this stuff start happening. So freakin cool!!!!
 
Good info guys. I'll build whatever there is interest for. I totally finished the 750 hard-tail jig last night. I need to get that going and done in the next couple weeks. I've got the 450 already hard tail so I just need to throw it up there and modify the jig. Von is gonna send me a 360 frame for that. So who wants to send me a 350 or anything else?

Jason
 
The 360 have the exoskeleton frame. They basically "frame" the engine, While the 350 have the centered vert support behind the carbs.

Troys bobber deal is a 360 I reckon. They look sick with stretched.

Ive never seen a 350 stretched
 
There seems to be a decent amount of 360's out there so I'm thinkin it might be worth looking into. Anything can done but I agree, it needs to be in the realm of feasible. I'll definately keep everyone abreast as to what's going on..

Jason
 
my94f2 said:
what kinda prices are we lookin at?

So I've been hammering this over and I think we're going to stay in the $250 range. Given what I'm seeing from the others out there we're going to offer a superior product that yields (several of you have confirmed it) a better overall fit and finish that looks not only more pleasing to the eye but natural on the bike(s.)

The R&D that went/is going into our tales is deeper and wider (our market research with you guys here is an example of that), the materials are better (cold rolled DOM and CNC cut axle plates and our build process is more refined. We don't manufacturer these in my mind. We craft them like a piece of art paying attention to each minute detail.

Then there is the customer support. Given what I've heard with some other tails you simply get a tail with instructions that look to be photocopied 150 times. We plan on producing an actual installation booklet with photos and detailed instructions and as time affords, a full YouTube video with step by step instructions from stock to lock.

I think you guys have seen enough of the quality work Herm and I put out. In your honest opinion do you feel that staying around the same range of current offerings given our value adds is a fair?

Please, speak freely and honest. You won't hurt my feelings.

Jason

PS - Of course there will a DTT discount. ;) As for all orders from the house of The Wing'd Piston. ;)
 
to be honest... i think 250 is a bit steep... i think if you where around 175, that would coner the market. now if these where bolt on for 250 and powdered to match with wheel spacers and chain for 250... that would be different
now that is a kit i would love to find!
and it just so happens... i know a powder coater that would LOVE to work with you!!!
::) ;D
 
Hmmm...

I think that's a whole other category though. Don't you? The purpose of the weld-on is because it doesn't look as hokey as the bolt-on's. Which IMO people would pay more for. The aesthetic.. Yes it's more to build it into the bike but in the end it will net the final result people are looking for. A good, clean looking tail. We could do bolt-on's but they just don't have the panache that I think a hard-tail needs to have..

J
 
honestly the only bike ive seen that looks decent with a bolt is the triumph chops. and some of those are iffy. 250 powdered w/ chain is low ballin. more than half of that would be spent on a decent chain. so 250 is tig'd together ready to weld on?
 
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