Fab-tastic

TC came round this morning and finally accepted that I was determined to use the big triumph tank on the XS, so he kindly gave me a bit of (mis)guidance on how to go about ruining a perfectly good tank.

Cut the tunnel out to get it sitting right. Still lots of work to do on the tank but really pleased with how its looking on the bike. Need to get some more sheet steel to make the tunnel next.

I also cut down the original foot peg mounts and roughly mocked it up on the bike. Again, still work required to finish this but I will wait till the seat is in position before finalizing the pegs. I did copy this idea of something I found on a forum, but I like the way it recycles some original bits, and is a neat solution.

As I was in a metalworking mood I started on making a sissy bar for the Triumph that Ive been wanting to do for a while. I also nicked this idea off something I saw at a show. Started by making some 3mm stainless brackets.

The idea is that these fit between the rear mudguard and frame rails, the bar itself will attach to both of these.

My dad had the genius idea of using a filler rod to mock up the sissy bar, so here it is. I have got some 10mm stainless bar to use for this. Hoping that a good dose of brute force and propane will be enough to bend up the real thing!!

 

So basically I started three things today and finished nothing!! But never mind, it was a lovely evening.

Bracketry, bracketery, whatever...

Fabbed up a bracket for the headlight the other day. First go so don't scoff!

 Its not perfect but I was quite pleased with it for a first stab. I was probably a little too keen with the flapper disk though, next time I shall put more elbow grease into finishing it better

 

Ive got a little old Harley spot light that I have jammed a dual filament bulb in. Its a little on the small side but I really like it.

Hard tail

The Tinslecat came round yesterday and we spent the day getting the TC Bros hardtail fixed to the frame. First job was to roughly mark and cut the rear subframe off.

CHING! I then spent quite a while trimming the bits off we didnt want and cleaning the frame up. All under TC's watchful eye....

The critical cuts where at the bottom of the main downtube (behind the engine) and cutting the two cradle rails 0.75" from the rear of the exhaust mounts. Turns out that some masking tape is exactly 0.75" thick - how convenient!!

Then it was lunch brake. After which came the fun bit of sticking the new hartail in place and measuring things up. This actually turned out to be not as complicated as we thought. The downtube has to align with a cross member on the hardtail. The lower rails just slot together, so the only tricky thing is deciding where exactly you want the top tubes to join the main frame.

We made sure it was square by measuring from the headstock to each rear axle plate and to our amazement it was cock on! (to within a mm at least!!). So we started welding....

I was going to do all the welding but Tinslecat RREEEALY wanted a go, so I let him start then he hogged the welder for the rest of the afternoon and only let me do one tiny bit :-P

If your wondering who is who - I'm the handsome one....

Once it was all welded up we loosely hung bits on it, then I spent the rest of the afternoon sitting on it and making brumbrum noises.

What a class day! In all seriousness, couldn't have done it without the Tinslecat's dangerous advice, helpful guidance and welding skills, thanks again bud. But then again - what kind of friend comes round to your house and makes you cut up a perfectly good frame?!

Almost there

Finished taking the last few things off the frame. Turns out the roller bearings in the headstock actually contain lose ball bearings! I was informed thus as I tried to remove the yokes from the frame, only to be met with the sharp 'tak! tak!' of something small and metal hitting the workbench.

Anyways, after I had finished crawling around on my hands and knees, I took the frame outside and cleaned it. Then I installed a 'loner' engine that should help keep the frame straight while I chop bits off.

Friday is chop day.

Strip-tease

Spent most of Saturday stripping the frame down ready for the big Chop on friday...got it all off apart from the headstock and centre stand. Once those are off I will take the frame outside and clean off any freeloading crud that is still hanging around.

It came apart so easily (anything is easy compared to working on the bandit!), my shelves are now full of parts!!