650 Mod's 78 Fighter Build

mike0537,
with a four jaw chuck and an indicator it is possible to be very accurate on round stock.

650mod,
what are you using to lock the stem in the lower triple?

leon

Agreed here with Leon. Using a calibration tool (micrometer [I think it's called]with a spring loaded arm was used every time we lined the stem up). Had it accurate within one ten thousandth of an inch or less.

And Leon- we pressed the stem into the lower tree, and I'm using the threaded section of the stock KZ stem welded into the bottom of the new stem. What I mean here is the threaded section that was in the top of the stem to take the stock steering stem top bolt. We were able to lathe down the welds on it, pull it out, and weld it into the bottom. Said and done, I thread the old steering stem bolt fully into the bottom of the new stem, tighten an allen bolt on the side of the stem, then tighten the top of the triple down. The stem shouldn't slip at all as we pressed the stem into place with a hydraulic press, and have the large bolt on the bottom. Sorry if this is a bit confusing to read. Next time I'm in the shop working on it, I'll post some pictures of it mounted in. I figured with a set of chromed triples that a chrome bolt on the bottom wouldn't stand out that much.

Devin

What you would use is called a dial indicator. I'm sure you can get it perfectly centered. I just haven't done it so I assume it would take me some time to get it right. It's just really easy to use a 3 jaw.

650mod,
i follow what you are saying.
sounds like you have it captured pretty well sir.

mike0537,

true,a three jaw is much faster and easier to set up than a four jaw.
but someone that is used to setting the four jaw up can get stuff centered pretty quick.
i have both,depends on the job which i use.

leon

Leon,

Thanks for the words of support- means a lot. This is my first modification build, so any/all help is always appreciated. Like I said, when I'm in the shop next, I'll get a picture up so everyone can see how me made this one work.

Next step is finishing the front end up, making custom wheel spacers so that I can run a speedo drive to keep my stock gauge cluster, and re-assembly of the front end.

Devin

650mod wrote: Oh, Hollywood- forgot to ask. How much of a drop did you get on your front end with the fork conversion? I believe I'm looking at about a 4" drop or so, should be ok for ground clearance once the rear is done up.

Devin

I'm in Calgary! Ya I was actually surprised how beefy those mounts were too.

I'm not sure what the drop was as I never measured it before but looking at my gpz on the other side of the garage the difference is pretty redonkulous in my case. After some screwing around today I only have 6" total from the oil pan to the ground not including the 3" exhaust...lol.

Too bad we weren't closer! I've been keeping a close eye on your build, and I like what I see so far!

As for drop- I measured up my old fork length- 30". Measured the old wheel- 28" diameter. New forks- 28.5", new wheel- 24". So take the 12" as half of the new wheel, and 28.5" from the forks, and I'm looking at about 40.5" in comparison to 44" :S. I should be fine with ground clearance, but I do also have a larger exhaust on the bike with a nice size collector. Time will tell I suppose... Once I have the rear end done up, I'll be able to play around with clearances a little more.

650mod wrote: Too bad we weren't closer! I've been keeping a close eye on your build, and I like what I see so far!

As for drop- I measured up my old fork length- 30". Measured the old wheel- 28" diameter. New forks- 28.5", new wheel- 24". So take the 12" as half of the new wheel, and 28.5" from the forks, and I'm looking at about 40.5" in comparison to 44" :S. I should be fine with ground clearance, but I do also have a larger exhaust on the bike with a nice size collector. Time will tell I suppose... Once I have the rear end done up, I'll be able to play around with clearances a little more.

Ya it is too bad. Im hoping I can keep the top line my swing arm flat cause I like that look. Im hoping I don't have to jack it up a little to get the ground clearance. But like you said you have to get there in the build to really see.

Hopefully you can keep it level like you want- it does look to fit. I guess time will tell once you mount up the exhaust and see how it sits then. Good luck with the rest of the build, I'm sure you'll get everything to line up!

I'm hoping to have some time in the next week when I can get back into the shop to get some more front end work done on my bike. Fingers crossed.

Way to go ! :woohoo:

What a good start...and you seem to have it all under control.


The front end looks super solid, love the triples !
I just sent my rims off to powder coating too, and I was looking at that gold Subaru Impreza paint. But I went for a more redish gold color.

Really impressive work so far...keep it up man !

Thanks, Arnold!!!

It's all coming along very well. I haven't been in the shop lately- been working on my thesis project for school a bit, and lining up time with the welder from my dad's work is proving a little trickier than I thought it would.

The front is VERY comfortable. The Buell forks are Showa, fully damper/rebound adjustable, which I quite like. The triples are Accutronix- custom triples made in the US for Buell/Harley guys- chromed CNC cut aluminum.

The powder that I used was actually an interior powder that gets used for a lot of fireplace trim. When I chose it, the shop told me it's a matte finish, so I had them toss a clear top coat on top, and BAM! the colour jumps right out! I'm interested to see what your rims turn out like!

Again, thanks for the feedback! I'm getting some shop time in this week to finish the front end, start re-assembling it, and moving on to the rear soon

Got a bit of shop time in today!

What did I get done? Nothing major, but what was accomplished made me feel SOO relieved. Got my triple tree spacer issue figured out- put the bottom spacer in, new bottom bearing, install the dust seal, reassemble the trees.

Then slipped the fork tubes back in, got the wheel spacers mounted up- took a HUGE load off my back! Got the caliper installed, put the tank on to get an idea for steering stops.

Aaannnnddd, took some pictures. I absolutely LOVE how the wheels pop against the body paint.

I think this is the sexiest view so far- the front looks so commanding.


More side view


This will be a really nice view when the swinger/wheel are on, with the little tail kick-up


Nice close-up- when it's outside, the blue pops just like the rims.


Last but not least- this is what I meant when I tried to describe how we're making the steering stem stay put. Took the stock upper steering stem bolt, punched the thread out of the old stem, inserted and welded it into the new stem, and thread the bolt into the bottom. Kaput, the stem won't pull up as it's push-pressed into the bottom triple.


Next step will be re-installing the front end (lights, gauges, etc). I'm currently looking at running an electronic speedo (Buell runs one stock). Ebay, here I come (again).

Devin