That Elite battery box

[Orcade-Ian]

Hi folks,
Just after I joined the forum, I posted a few pictures of the long restoration of my Elite. Years ago I had made a near replica of the very prominent SAFA battery from MDF and body-filler, which still needed painting and the raised lettering painted. I made a throw-away comment that some clever person could probably now do this with 3D printing. A chance comment to a model-making friend elicited the response that his Daughter and her partner have a business doing just that! Just a week or two later, I am now the proud owner of a 'kit form' resin box in black with raised lettering which just needs glueing and re-finishing. Certainly not a cheap option as I have paid for the drawing and development as well as manufacture but well worth it to me and could be the start of getting parts normally made of 'Unobtainium' to complete other projects.

IMG_2012.jpeg

IMG_2010.jpeg

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Ian

This is the wooden version which they copied for me

IMG_2011.jpeg

[LaceyDucati]

That's a nice job Ian, a lot of work.

Regards Nigel

[Jordan]

I like it.
Will the printer .STL file be available?

I had a gear printed for my 4 leading shoe Grimeca brake's speedo drive. It's different from the 2x2LS brake because of the cam link rod in the way.
In the unlikely event (due to rarity) that anyone wants the STL, please call.

[Orcade-Ian]

Hi Jordan,
I'll check with those who created the file and get back to you, I suppose it is now deemed 'intellectual property', so not sure if they will charge.
Ian

[Jordan]

Thanks Ian,

I searched thingiverse.com for "motorcycle battery box" and got 256 pages of things people have submitted. I only got 40 pages in before needing a rest.
You never know, maybe there is one there amongst the many obscure designs.

Here's one for a 6V Harley-Davidson: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:6773842

[Orcade-Ian]

Hi Jordan,
I contacted them and received the reply as I expected: they don't sell the stl file as they have done all of the development but are quite happy to print one for anyone interested. They charge £100 plus post (It cost me more than that as I paid for development). I also put in the many hours making the wooden version but I was happy to pay that - yes it sounds expensive but they are hardly likely to sell thousands! I can give details if needed. One word of warning though - this is not an exact copy of an original (I couldn't find one!) but my interpretation from studying many pictures and scalings from Mick Walker's restoration book. You would also have to assemble it and fit your own battery inside and make brass terminal posts. As it's such a prominent feature on the bike (i.e. not hidden behind a panel) I was prepared to pay rather than have a plastic Yuasa or similar on view, as many otherwise top notch restorations have done.

Ian

[Jordan]

Your determination and commitment to this result is impressive, Ian.
My own single doesn't have a battery, and although a box can still be a handy thing for tool storage etc, I prefer the "nothing there" look.
I have other bikes with prominent batteries of the same type as Ducati. The SAFA logo would not reflect the originals in those cases.
So, no sale here but I wish that you attract some buyers.

[Orcade-Ian]

Thanks Jordan,
Yes, I ought to get out more! Sometimes little projects like these grow legs and run away with time and money - just like the whole of many restorations. The bike came cheap many years ago so I have been able to spend a bit to get things to my liking. I can cite other examples on this bike too and whilst it would never be commercially viable to make these 'one offs', as an engineer I'm always up for a challenge and the satisfaction is the reward. I spent many hours rebuilding the light switch and making terminal posts from brass - not sure if I put a page on my site for that but here are some other bits:

http://www.stallard-engineering.co.uk/s ... 0parts.htm

Ian

[Jordan]

Nice work with the reproductions and repairs Ian. I enjoyed studying them.

Here's some tips you can try if you have to deal with hardened rubber parts again.
If otherwise in good order but too stiff to stretch into place, you can:
- use hot air gun with care to temporarily soften.
- or, place the rubber part in brake fluid for a day or two. It will be quite soft, but will harden again after a few days unfortunately.