Introduction and shop drawings

[Rick]

Mostly an introduction to my list of questions. I have a 250 narrowcase project- a pile of rusted junkyard parts, that I intend to into a Diana/Mach/Mark bitsa sort of thing. My experience is with roundcase twins- looks like lots of it will be useful to the singles.
The frame I salvaged has been modified/butchered, so I'm planning ahead for the day when my garage temperature is above zero.
I made hundreds of shop drawing when I was working on twins, and found that it's almost hopeless to get things right without accurate drawings. I have most of the frame dimensioned and drawn, but the toolboxes are my first obstacle. I have preliminary locations for the large bent tabs, but without toolboxes to measure I doubt if I'll get it right. I scaled the outline of the toolbox from a photo, but would like something better.
So, first question- does anyone have a Mach1 style toolbox sitting around? I could email the full size drawing I scaled from a photo, and the toolbox could be held over the drawing to see if I got the shape right. My plan is to make a mold for a fiberglass toolbox, and possibly a buck to eventually make a sheet metal box.

I've located a die for my bender to fabricate the missing rear hoop, after that's done the tabs and sheet metal will be my biggest hurdle.
Anyone who can help can PM me and we'll exchange email addresses.
Rick

[DewCatTea-Bob]

" does anyone have a Mach1 style toolbox sitting around?
. . .
and possibly a buck to eventually make a sheet metal box.
. . .
the tabs and sheet metal will be my biggest hurdle. "

____ First I must say: Very Nice Drawing-Work, Rick !
__ Anyhow, are you aware that there is at least one fellow-Duker (by the name of Prakit) in Thailand, who already does the same work/pieces (for a reasonable price) ? _ He's a friend of mind and I could put you in-touch, if you like.


DUKE-Cheers,
DCT-Bob

[Rick]

Bob,
I'd like the info for the guy making reproduction toolboxes, if he's a panel beater he may make tanks too. I'd still like to get dimensions from an original though, every generation of reproduction usually gets further from the original. It irritates me to do a lot of work and end up with something that isn't right.
Thanks, Rick

[JimF]

I think I've got a toolbox I could loan you. PM me with your address.

But as Bob said, repros area available. Metal ones with doors, and non-functional ones in fiberglass if I recall correctly. Still though, those toolboxes were used on a wide amount of models (Bob can correct me if I am wrong) and as such they do come up on eBay from time to time.

I think Road and Race in Australia has some repros too. But you are correct; it seems that both in the British and the Italian bike world, pattern reproductions often don't quite have the same dimensional properties as the originals.

We do have some good resources though - Bevel Rubber is renowned for their spot-on perfect reproductions. And Mdina Italia has high quality bits available.

I still owe another lister a Mototrans frame - not as easy to ship as a toolbox - but you know who you are and you will get it.

[DewCatTea-Bob]

By: Rick...
" Bob,
I'd like the info for the guy making reproduction toolboxes, "

____ I've just completed a 2nd-round of emails with him -(Prakit)... It often takes a good-while to complete a communication with him, as his written-English is understandably somewhat lacking.
__ I've gathered that he works at a shop which does such work, and that during his off-time he's able to work on reproduction-type parts for old DUCATIs & the like.
He currently tells me that he hasn't been doing the tool-boxes for over a year, and had evidently figured he'd not be doing anymore again any time soon due to the expense vs. lack of demand. _ Thus there's now apparently no reason for me to give-out his email-address.
However I'll next include a link to one of his current eBay-listings for you to check-out & possibly make contact with him (through eBay) on your own. ... http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... MEWAX%3AIT .


GoodLuck,
-Bob

[Rick]

Thanks for the efforts Bob- when I get a chance to examine and measure a toolbox I'll report back on how hard they may be to make.
Rick

[JimF]

Toward that end, I posted a toolbox to you last Saturday morning...

Jim

[Rick]

Jim,
I'll treat as if it were a Feberge egg.
Thanks, Rick

[Rick]

oops, Faberge

[DewCatTea-Bob]

By: Jim...
" Still though, those toolboxes were used on a wide amount of models (Bob can correct me if I am wrong) and as such they do come up on eBay from time to time. "

____ Of course we all know that the later-1965/66 250 Mark3 & Mach1 models used them, and I (for one) knew that at least one of the 200-models used them ! _ But I wasn't really sure of which 200-models, and whether or not any 175s used them. _ So I first put-off responding to this post thinking that CaptPaul would soon (thereafter) likely know & leave a word about them being on his old 200. _ And if he didn't, I had then expected to remember (before now) that I should get around to looking-up what other Duke-models used these quaint side-cover tool-boxes. _ Well I have done so, and I'm now finally getting-around to posting the other/remaining model info ! ...
__ These cover/boxes were first used on the '175S', and then also on the 'Ducati 200' -(Elite); & the '200TS'; & the '200SS' !
I don't know of any other Duke-models that used them.


DUKE-Cheers,
DCT-Bob