Now going custom with alloy bodywork!!

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bwolfie, sort of scratching my head. Are you going to paint the frame? Or is this a temporary assembly? Perhaps I missed a post.
 
The frame will be the last thing I do. Probably next winter. I need to do some welding on it and am still making changes. I might save up and nickle plate it, we'll see.
 
My 6061 T6 alloy cradle is 5/16" thick and holding up pretty well after hard usage. The tranny slots and the clamp of washers on sides show some wearing in but the 7/16" though bolt holes are still pristine. Hope yours holds up as most Al cradles are done thicker than steel but saves another couple lbs and that can be felt.
 
Yes on Nickel plating the frame bwolfie. Polish & clear coat some of the aluminum and do some of it gloss black for contrast. It'll look amazing & see how easy it is for me to spend your money?
 
I keep meaning to do that, i'll try to get a weigh in today, it will be close to the final weight as it sits now.
 
beng said:
I am pretty sure that aluminum has half the stiffness of steel and often less tensile strength, plus it work-hardens and cracks when it is cyclically put to a bending force.
The original steel part often is upgraded to be able to do it's various jobs. Aside from offering a shiny appearance I don't see anything else attractive about switching the material for the rear engine/tranny-cradle/swingarm mount to aluminum.....But it is a trendy thing to do.
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madass140 said:
I've manufactured these in the past, there is a BIG weight saving.
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The engine plate would be better if made from Duralumin (also called duraluminum, duraluminium or dural) plate
 
Weighed it, nearly 50/50 weight distribution, came in at 328 pounds dry. I still have to install the transmission cradle and swingarm, good for another 5 pounds savings. Still need a battery and seat and a few small items. I'm going to ditch the z plates and make a smaller lighter mounting. So this should be close to the final number. Fluids should add around 10 pounds, gas will add 25 when full. I suspect no more than 375 fully wet.
 
I used this, I got a nice 12" x 4' plate from an aerospace supplier.

7075-T651 Aluminum Plate

7075 is one of the highest strength aluminum alloys available. Its strength-to-weight ratio is excellent, and is ideally used for highly stressed parts. It can be formed in the annealed condition and subsequently heat treated. 7075 is comparatively tough for an aluminum alloy. As such, it produces greater springback during forming operations. If forming difficulty is encountered in the annealed condition, then warming the material to 200°-250°F will assist formability. 7075 alloy is capable of high-strength as developed by heat treating. It also has excellent properties at low temperatures. Its electrical conductivity is 36% of copper.
 
7075 is good stuff for brackets and such, but it doesn't weld worth a damn.

Ken
 
It welded up just fine. Most of the welding I do and have done has been aluminum. No problems with 7075 for me.
 
bwolfie said:
They are carried over from the original, clearance to slide the transmission in.
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Thats good to know, so with the cuttout at the back they can be left out, it is a bit of a weak point, my steel one had cracked there
 
Oh 7075 s'not that bad a hillbilly welding shop can't handle. Here's Ms Peels
7075 welded to hold caliper on fork slider that matches factory finish perfectly.
I had Peel Combat down to 365 lb wet with 3 gallons gas before putting on lighter rear sets and 520 chain and 2-1 half weight exhaust system, but still big steel luggage rack on. In her next minimalist trial bike set up w/o Drouin and support systems but 920 Many engine I hope to be able to lift her out of ditches with broken leg, ribs and wrist. I think crash cage will weight about 10-12 lb. I guesstimate all her holes, inside and out are worth ~10 lb off.

Now going custom with alloy bodywork!!


6159 TS 5/16". I've recorded weight differences in my parts number pages so share someday.
Now going custom with alloy bodywork!!
 
bwolfie said:
Weighed it, nearly 50/50 weight distribution, came in at 328 pounds dry. I still have to install the transmission cradle and swingarm, good for another 5 pounds savings. Still need a battery and seat and a few small items. I'm going to ditch the z plates and make a smaller lighter mounting. So this should be close to the final number. Fluids should add around 10 pounds, gas will add 25 when full. I suspect no more than 375 fully wet.
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I had a laugh a few years ago, made some engine plates from alloy for a friend, he asked me to drill some holes in them to lighten them...i looked at him and smiled..the guy was 20 stone!
 
Wow that is significant, and nice looking. How are they holding up to date? I think the nickle and dime weight savings will occur next winter when I pull the bike down to do the frame finishing. By then I should have a list of things to fix/change.
 
Show off! How light would you like to make it? I'm still waiting for more pictures of the whole bike, Thanks. :)
 
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