"Test Mule" '74 850 Monoshock build

grandpaul · Nov 13, 2009

Let the fun begin. Powdercoated stuff is done, engine stuff should be done by this evening, Assembly phase starts this weekend!

swooshdave · Nov 13, 2009

grandpaul said:
Let the fun begin. Powdercoated stuff is done, engine stuff should be done by this evening, Assembly phase starts this weekend!

I have a question.

Old Britts recommends masking off the swingarm mounting area as such:

I assume to allow the swingarm with bushing to fit past the powdercoating. Is that really necessary? I noticed you didn't. Ever any problems?

grandpaul · Nov 13, 2009

My powdercoat guy missed that spot, but we use large fender washers, not masking the whole relief area...

You could never install the swingarm with the thickness of powdercoat material on there (you may guess how I know this)

I'll dremel grind it off before assembly.

grandpaul · Nov 14, 2009

Stuff ready to go to polish, I'm tossing in the brake caliper to use as a replacement on my '75 Mark III.

swooshdave · Nov 14, 2009

grandpaul said:
My powdercoat guy missed that spot, but we use large fender washers, not masking the whole relief area...

You could never install the swingarm with the thickness of powdercoat material on there (you may guess how I know this)

I'll dremel grind it off before assembly.

Do you have a picture of how you typically mask that area off?

grandpaul · Nov 14, 2009

Looks very similar to the Old Britts masking. I may have a shot of a frame I did a while back, I'll look.

grandpaul · Nov 16, 2009

Got the head re-assembled, it turned out quite nice-

Still waiting on the cases to be tapped & threaded on the repaired front lip, may start assembling the tranny cradle and monoshock setup with new isolastic to the frame...

byrdman76 · Nov 16, 2009

grandpaul said:
Well, it all came out rather nice. The length of the rising rate link plates is such that I can have 3 or maybe 4 different settings for the bottom shock mount, and the top shock mount will have at least 2 settings; that way, I can accommodate several different length shocks.

It feels pretty good, and the angles are just right where I have it at the moment. Good amount of rear wheel travel, and the shock is on it's softest setting.

Cut-out for the chain worked just fine, it's "extra beefy" there now.

Also got in a brand new set of stainless steel adjustable isolastics; these don't require modification of the pre-Mark III front mount, so less hassle. They were also less expensive than OEM, what a deal!

I really enjoy reading through your posts and seeing the photos GP - where did you get the S.S. front and rear adjustable ISO's. Are these of the soft rubber variety that I have read about? I'm pretty sure that I want to go that route with my current project.

Regards,

Byrd

grandpaul · Nov 16, 2009

These are a new build of relatively soft rubber on stainless hardware, adjustable of course, without having to modify the front mount on pre-Mark III.

I sell them in matched front & rear sets, for a significant amount lower than list price of stock bits.

grandpaul · Nov 17, 2009

Drilled and tapped crankcase Left half-

I touched up all the bare spots on the frame & transmission cradle where powdercoat was masked off; turns out the swingarm areas WERE taped over, but you couldn't tell because the powdercoat "took" over the special tape. I simply cut off the flash.

Should be posting a photo of a complete chassis with stainless steel adjustable isolastic units and monoshock rear end installed by this time tomorrow.

I've found an outfit that was providing the disc brakes to Confederate Cycles, they're making me a deal on brake rotors that will save me a couple of steps on adapter plates, spacers, and drilling to try to make Sunstar rotors adapt to Dreer hubs. That's welcome news. I'll also be able to simply have the Dreer hubs machined out to accept stock front wheel bearings and 1" diameter axles for UJMs that will be plug-and-play with the inverted forks.

byrdman76 · Nov 17, 2009

grandpaul said:
These are a new build of relatively soft rubber on stainless hardware, adjustable of course, without having to modify the front mount on pre-Mark III.

I sell them in matched front & rear sets, for a significant amount lower than list price of stock bits.

How much are you selling them for?

littlefield · Nov 18, 2009

FYI, I was able to find rotors for a custom application out of the EBC catalogue. There's a table that lists all the dimensions and you just find the one that will work.

grandpaul · Nov 18, 2009

Frame all touched up, front isolastic mount in place-

Tranny cradle and rear isolastic mount installed-

Swingarm & shock installed-

Old front isolastic mount outer lugs make perfect spacers for the rising rate link pivot setup; all rather nice and clean.

littlefield · Nov 18, 2009

Very clean looking. Where do you put the oil tank?

grandpaul · Nov 18, 2009

OEM oil tank stays right where it belongs, no worries!

grandpaul · Nov 18, 2009

"Old faithful" empty cases installed for proper fit-up, rear wheel assembly installed-

Seat mocked up for trimming to fit frame tail loop, I'm not going to drill the pan for the bracket 'till I get the new tank in and measure it up for best fit-

Found a potential source for front hub that will eliminate yet another step in modifying the dreer hub for standard bearings & totally eliminate a rotor carrier spacer/adapter. Pix coming soon.

RennieK · Nov 18, 2009

Neato! I'm really enjoying your progress, thanks!

grandpaul · Nov 18, 2009

Yeah, that's a decent look right there-

grandpaul · Nov 19, 2009

Fitted up the new steering bearings and the modified yokes, then installed the forks and dummied up the front wheel to have a look-

17" low profile front wheel looks ridiculous paired up with the tall 19" rear, it'll all look just right when the new wire spoked 19" front wheel is done.

DonOR · Nov 19, 2009

Paul, this (like all your other work I've seen) is shaping up nicely.
I can understand how the mono will improve handling and ride, but I was curious, do you gain hp with it?
Cheers
Don