650 Mod's 78 Fighter Build

Devin,

I know the swingarms are the same, but I didn't look back at your linkage. A 2 x 4 supporting the rear does not a roller make . I had mine like that for a while and it's just not the same as bouncing on the shock and playing with the height.

Alan

haha, very true, Al! I'd have to say the suspension is a little stiff right now Nothing like getting a good bounce in to feel the difference in feel. Soon, very soon...

Devin

I know it's been a while since I posted anything here about the build. It's been on hold for a little bit because I started full time work again- work 2 weeks, 2 weeks off. Back to 1/1 soon. Once I'm able to get things planned out a bit better, she should be finished off soon enough

Devin

I was able to get a bit of shop time in today. Didn't get too much done, and had a little boo-boo along the way. The guy that's helping me weld mis-measured the frame tube sizing, and welded up the shock mount with the wrong dimensions

Top hat spacers that were made up on the previous work day.




Rear frame all cleaned up, ready for welding




FINALLY got the rear brake issue sorted out. The new spacer/mount fits wonderfully (as it's for the proper year rear wheel)




The lower shock mount- looks pretty, off by a few mm to fit the frame tubing. We now have a model for next time's work.




I'm hoping that the next time I get to take a crack at it I can get the shock supports fully welded into place and get the shock mounted to make her a roller. I also got the swingarm washer issue sorted out- no more slop side to side

Devin

Too bad about the shock mount mistake, you're so close..

Alan

I know! I can see the light at the end of the tunnel now. Now that I'm back on full-time, and have a bit more of a solid schedule, I should be able to jump on this and finish it up soon. The mount is close enough that I may be able to notch it open a bit to get it to snugly fit the frame. If not, we'll just have to make another one up.

Next on the list will be to get the lower mount issue sorted out, then move on to the upper mount and getting the sprocket offset/frame clearances figured out. I'm hoping to get the build done, carbs on and tuned before the snow flies here. Hopefully getting a few rides in on warmer days.

Devin

Get off the Internet and get in the garage :silly: . Don't make me come up there :evil:

Alan

650mod wrote: haha, very true, Al! I'd have to say the suspension is a little stiff right now Nothing like getting a good bounce in to feel the difference in feel. Soon, very soon...

Devin

I did the same thing with a 2x6 to hold up the rear of my bike during fabrication. I tried to make a crack about the ride feeling a bit "wooden" and it was lost on everyone at the time. Why couldn't you guys have been around in those days? :laugh:

when you are having to do custom fab and machine work for a project it is amazing how long the "fitting" part can take :pinch: .

it makes the welding seem like it happens in no time :whistle: .


leon

Al- I wish I could have spent the next day in the shop! I'm on my work rotation right now, in for a solid week. When I'm off, I'm planning on getting at least 2 nights in with my welder. I'll also chip away at other stuff in the mean time, maybe get my Dyna installed, etc.

Testa- the wood roller is a great ride! A little stiff, but the hook-up would be pretty good

Leon- The measuring/fabbing/head scratching part always does take some time, but it pays off in the end. The measurement that was taken was on a thinner part of my subframe that is pinched slightly to accommodate for the rear of the crankcase. Next time she'll be welded in in no time

I was just funning you Devin. If I spent as much time working in the garage as I wanted I would be a single man, and broke from not working.

Alan

All in good humour- I wasn't offended I'd be the same way- getting shop time in is my therapy

Devin