Now going custom with alloy bodywork!!

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On and off progress the last few weeks. I ordered a battery and M-unit. Waiting for them to arrive. I almost have my head steady built, I redesigned the PR style in aluminum. I am very happy with the way it is turning out. Finished up the swing arm last night. I know seeing it will start a s%@t storm here, but what doesn't anymore. Here are some pictures, enjoy!

Now going custom with alloy bodywork!!

Now going custom with alloy bodywork!!

Now going custom with alloy bodywork!!

Now going custom with alloy bodywork!!

Now going custom with alloy bodywork!!

Now going custom with alloy bodywork!!

Now going custom with alloy bodywork!!
 
I luv this thread !!! And the pics ... and the alloy bodywork ... and the cool redesigned stuff ... and the welding ... and ...

Keep posting please, cheers. 8)
 
Thanks, at least I have ONE fan of what I am doing. Here are a few more, i threw the swingarm on to see what it looks like, I have to blow it all apart and properly install it.

I am going to have to contact don and arrange the delivery of one of his alloy oil tanks, it's the last piece of the puzzle.

Now going custom with alloy bodywork!!

Now going custom with alloy bodywork!!

Now going custom with alloy bodywork!!
 
Finished up the swingarm last night, ready to install. Also Finished up the headsteady, except for a frame clamp and rubber filling. Threw the swingarms on the scale. Almost 4 lbs lighter.
My batterie will show up today, I had a great idea where to put the battery, stay tuned for pictures if it pans out.

Now going custom with alloy bodywork!!

Now going custom with alloy bodywork!!

Now going custom with alloy bodywork!!

Now going custom with alloy bodywork!!

Now going custom with alloy bodywork!!

Now going custom with alloy bodywork!!

Now going custom with alloy bodywork!!
 
What does the scale read when you get on? What sort of body work in the personal regards are you doing? 20 pound ago I could get on plane windsurfing in a 12 knot wind. Now it take 18 to 20 knots with the same sail.
Top end will be wind resistance, quickness will be weight reduction. What is your primary goal in this respect, other than lightening the bike of course. Are you concidering a fairing for the full circle affect.
 
More just because I can. No real reason. I like making things, I prefer aluminum and if I can make the bike lighter its an added bonus. Plus it's less weight to push when it does stop working.

Plus how many mostly aluminum Commando's have you seen?
 
bwolfie said:
Plus how many mostly aluminum Commando's have you seen?
Click to expand...


Regarding the swingarm: The above observation should be your first clue :p

In all seriousness, although it is a very pretty piece of work, the swingarm looks like it is for the most part a one for one as far as material cross sections; especially at the axle tabs. I am stating this from one Nortoneer to another that in my opinion as an engineer, you are courting disaster here as this is a critical piece on the bike. If you go forward with this, watch it like a hawk and wipe it down and do a real close "up front and personal" inspection on a regular basis.

On the other hand, please study my Moniker :)
 
He's been warned earlier in post but Brent will continue the experiment for the rest of us. Similar can be said of the cradle too as all the other Al cradles are 1/16" thicker than factory steel. I've found tweaked steel cradles and have seen photo's of the front lower bolt holes fracture. But if not flinging around under full power on rough roads may get away with it a long time, especially in bee lines. What may sell like hot cakes would be a boxed Al swing arm of ~1/8" thick stock.
I've seen two versions so far. hobot
 
You may have to add 3.77 pounds of gusseting to make these guys happy. Not that you give a crap what they think, but that do have their points. But then again, some of the stuff they made these frames with should also come under some scrutiny. It's not exactly chrome moly ya know.
I love aluminum too.
 
Wolfie, where did you find the electrical connection panel? I've been looking for something just like that !

thanks

Glen
 
ludwig said:
bwolfie ,
I suppose you know that Norton made 3 versions of its swingarm , each version stronger than the previous one .
What do you think they did that for ? .
You just made a critical , highly stressed part dangerously weaker .
Blindly copying parts in aluminium is not the right way to shed weight , just like Hobots obsession with drilling holes .
Besides , aluminium is not thàt light ..
With a different approach you could save far more weight AND make your bike safer and more reliable at the same time .
But of course you are free to do as you please ..
Click to expand...

I'm with Ludwig and Shrapnel on this topic here as well. Be careful in your design and research material strengths. You may just create something of a disaster waiting to happen. :shock:
CNN
 
I was going to say my 2 cents worth BUT I will leave it on the kickstand where it belongs.

CanukNortonNut said:
ludwig said:
bwolfie ,
I suppose you know that Norton made 3 versions of its swingarm , each version stronger than the previous one .
What do you think they did that for ? .
You just made a critical , highly stressed part dangerously weaker .
Blindly copying parts in aluminium is not the right way to shed weight , just like Hobots obsession with drilling holes .
Besides , aluminium is not thàt light ..
With a different approach you could save far more weight AND make your bike safer and more reliable at the same time .
But of course you are free to do as you please ..
Click to expand...

I'm with Ludwig and Shrapnel on this topic here as well. Be careful in your design and research material strengths. You may just create something of a disaster waiting to happen. :shock:
CNN
Click to expand...
 
Bill your becoming such a good guy- rule follower - next you'll be singing the praises of monoshockers! :shock: :roll:

( PS i'm do'in the same 2 cents worth thing too as somethings obviously fall on deaf ears anyways!)

bill said:
I was going to say my 2 cents worth BUT I will leave it on the kickstand where it belongs.

CanukNortonNut said:
ludwig said:
bwolfie ,
I suppose you know that Norton made 3 versions of its swingarm , each version stronger than the previous one .
What do you think they did that for ? .
You just made a critical , highly stressed part dangerously weaker .
Blindly copying parts in aluminium is not the right way to shed weight , just like Hobots obsession with drilling holes .
Besides , aluminium is not thàt light ..
With a different approach you could save far more weight AND make your bike safer and more reliable at the same time .
But of course you are free to do as you please ..
Click to expand...

I'm with Ludwig and Shrapnel on this topic here as well. Be careful in your design and research material strengths. You may just create something of a disaster waiting to happen. :shock:
CNN
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Roger that .. Agreed but have you noticed the lack of build threads lately?
 
some things belong behind closed doors if you can't take constructive criticism and learn from others more knowledgeable.

batrider said:
Roger that .. Agreed but have you noticed the lack of build threads lately?
Click to expand...
 
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