Down under, an idiot and a 400F

15" shocks were getting the desired lift, I was hoping to drop that to 14" and get the extra 1" from lifting the subframe.

Chain rub wasn't the major concern as I could fabricate a chain tensioner for the swingarm, I was more worried about the funny handling as I have an USD fork conversion in the planning stages too.
 
Checking out the beginning of this thread it's fair to say this build has evolved. There are a number of different bikes on the net that are influencing my bike and I thought I would share them here and provide the links/names of builders where possible:

Squirleys 550 Cafe Build
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GoingsMoto's 550
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And an out there part build from RustyOlive, the insane Fat Arse 550 ( why are they all 550's!!!!!)
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Got it Swivel. Waiting to get my wheels built, forks on etc before I go cutting stuff so I can make sure it all works.

Then play with how it looks. Will be posting up here for input when I get to that stage.
 
damn that fatass 550 looks bad ass.......

with inspiration like that this bike will turn out amazing.....

you're tearing it up neevo
 
Good day in the shed today. Committed to the monoshock by cutting off the upper shock mounts. Much tidier now with clean tube, my seat was very tight going over the brackets for the mounts, now it just glides on:

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Finished off the seat by drilling the mounting holes and cut off the old rear tank rubber mounts:

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Got to cutting the uprights for my swingarm brace and a rough test fit courtesy of some masking tape to hold it all together:

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I think I need another bend in there as the straight sections need bracing too but I think there is going to be chain clearance issues. Should be fixed with a straight insert at the very top and 2 bends half way down the straight sections.

Put all the bits back on so I can put it to bed for another night:

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Finished up with a good clean of the bench:

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Also did a bit more on the tank however I am having real issues getting the solder to stick to the new panels. Going to talk to a radiator man about doing it for me and pressure testing it. It's ready to go now though as I've tidied up all the visible sections.
 
Looking good! Hope you got the missus vacuum back in the house before she noticed lol...... Interested to see how the mono turns out. What are you going to do with the cut outs in the tank to fit the frame? Rounding them out?
 
Nicely spotted on the vac ;)

It's actually my shop vac, the old house one as we bought a Dyson so no issues there.

Plan for the tank cutouts is to round them out at a minimum or I may be trimming those sections to meet the lines of the seat. Haven't decided quite yet as I may be lifting the subframe an inch. Need to get the mono done and wheels on to test fit.
 
"GOLD!... gold! Always believe in your soooo-oul"

From the land of Spandau Ballet, 2 individuals team up (admittedly 1 doing the thinking and work, the other chirping in with suggestions) from actoss the globe, to build a golden gorgeous front end.

The donor:

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Stem comparison (Gixer v 360), needs top bearing area reduced and new threads cut:

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Reduced:

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Beefiness comparison vs 360:

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Looks like there might be tank clearance issues so will need to either reduce the steering stops, cut the tank more with scoops or as a last resort look at custom triples.

Test fit:

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Lastly need to sort some carriers to place the calipers in the right place:

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Was in the local hardware store yesterday too and saw this stuff. I assume this is the recommended product for painting the frame?

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2 pieces of 3"diameter exhaust pipe fitted into front of tank
1ft should be plenty, split down the middle to get 2 curved pieces
With all the old Holden's around scrap pipe should be real easy to pick up ;)
 
I'm a precision machinist, modifying stem is far easier ;D
The correct bearings are available all over, including Honda
You don't have to mix and match odd stuff which may or may not have same pressure angles
I'm pretty sure a modified 400F won't be able to stress front end as much as a GSX-R 600/750 ;)
 
Quick question. Is it possible to make a swingarm brace with welded sections or does it have to be made from 1 piece?

Doesn't matter either way, just don't want it to crack as it will be stressed due to taking the monoshock loads.
 
Swivel said:
The one big loop should be should be one big loop and DOM high tensile tubing and not chromoly.....
Click to expand...

As in the whole thing Swivel or just the top loop part?
 
Take a look at Yamaha DT125~175 mono-shock from the 80's (should be able to find one)
They had fabricated swing arm similar to what your doing.
The curved section at rear looks good and is probably plenty strong enough but it would force stresses to change direction, straight lines and triangles are your friend if your not a structural engineer ;D
 
Swivel said:
Your top loop design is just fine,but it needs to be copied in one continuous piece of tubing(easy Y'v got a pattern handy then.....).A stressed member should not be cut'n'shut sections.Every frame tube flexes and "walks around"and numerous welds are just stress risers you don't need.
Click to expand...

No probs. Will make this one in pieces with the view to use it as a template for the tube bender.
 
Bought some stuff today ready for my latest addition to the shed in a couple of weeks:

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SS brush
Red tungstens 1.6mm
5kg of filler rod

5kg was maybe a bit OTT but I plan on practicing a fair bit before I let myself loose on the bike.

Not getting a $$$$$$ machine but it should be good for the stuff I want to do and it was enough to get approval on this spend alone. Unimig 170:

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