Some progress made on the cafe project

[Teckhardt]

Frame mods are mostly done. Bracing is welded in. Tail chopped.





Set the tank and the tail on for a rough idea of the end product.

[Rick]

Nice work- the swingarm pinch clamp brace should help the swingarm pivot and the thin plate engine mounts. I'm not sure about tank clearance, but if the goal of adding the 2 tubes up to the top tube is to resist twisting/torsion loads on the top tube, they would be more effective if they joined the top tube closer to the outer edges of the tube, instead of going to the bottom center of the top tube- not too likely that a mortal rider would be able to tell the difference though.
With the swingarm axle area stiffened the swingarm itself will really seem flexible- do you plan to add a hoop beneath the swingarm? A hoop would work better than the plate rib Ducati welded onto some swingarms, but much more work to do.
Do you plan to convert to taper roller bearings in the headstock?
Well, I looked at your second picture again, and with that tank, clearance wouldn't be an issue if the tubes crept up along the side of the top tube a little.
Rick

[Teckhardt]

if the goal of adding the 2 tubes up to the top tube is to resist twisting/torsion loads on the top tube, they would be more effective if they joined the top tube closer to the outer edges of the tube, instead of going to the bottom center of the top tube- not too likely that a mortal rider would be able to tell the difference though.

True - I probably should have done that but I was concerned about the intake mainfold/carb clearance. Gonna be tight.

With the swingarm axle area stiffened the swingarm itself will really seem flexible- do you plan to add a hoop beneath the swingarm? A hoop would work better than the plate rib Ducati welded onto some swingarms, but much more work to do.

I am using a 450 type swingarm with the plate rib already on the bottom. I plated the trapezoid area between the pivot tube and the half moon brace. I also "boxed" around the adjuster/axle slot area.

Do you plan to convert to taper roller bearings in the headstock?

I do. Planning on getting those from Nigel Lacey.


Have a few other things to consider as well. May ditch the center stand and trim off the mounts for that. May also ditch the pinch bolt set up on the pivot tube and go with a thru bolt configuration.

[MotoMike]

Teckhardt

that is some good looking work. I am really looking forward to seeing your finished product. It really looks great.

[joe46ho]

Teckhardt

Nice looking fab. work...
Quick question, did you buy that fiberglass tail section/seat pan ? If so, where from ? Just about everybody that sells duke parts has one for sale, but the reason i'm inquiring about this one is because I have a frame thats had the tail chopped also. Coincidentally the height/and angle of the rear vertical hoop on mine looks almost identical to yours in the picture here... I did not do the mods myself, I bought the frame this way. Ive been looking around at seat pan/tail assemblies, and it is hard to tell how close of a fit one would be by looking at pics on a screen. But if you think the one you have fits well, I would just as soon buy one from the same place you got yours... The guy I bought my frame from did include an airtech 1/4 fender that he already did some work on and it fits well... I would just hate to buy a tail, and have it not even be close, and have to do extensive cutting and fiberglass work to it...some companies dont even give you measurements of there part...
Thanks in advance for any info you have, Joe

[Eldert]

Hi Joe

the seat looks like a airtech item to but for a Bultaco . item nr BULWCS

http://www.airtech-streamlining.com/

Eldert

[Teckhardt]

Hi Joe

the seat looks like a airtech item to but for a Bultaco . item nr BULWCS

http://www.airtech-streamlining.com/

Eldert

That is the one. It's the Bultaco TSS roadracing seat. I liked the shape better than any of the others I saw.

As you can see, it is a bit too short so I will have to extend the pan a bit.

[joe46ho]

Thanks Eldert, and Teckhardt...

I recieved a long fiberglass tank with the frame I purchased (of unknown origin) which I had intended not to use and instead mount the Scr tank I have instead. But with this seat pan, it may work out better with the long race tank... Or if I manage to get some extra funds before its gone, Domiracer just took in a late single desmo tank like 1974ish I think ? I really like that tank, and would like to find/buy one, funds permitting...

One side note Teckhardt, Im not sure if you have ordered your tapered bearing kit from Lacey Eng. yet, but if you are so inclined (have access to a lathe, and some alum. bar stock) and want to save some $$$ I have a brand new kit sitting here and would gladly send you the exact measurements/specs/bearing part #'s etc. This new kit also came with my frame I bought, otherwise I would have fabricated/sourced it myself, but I also have access to a nice lathe, and enjoy using it, some people do not... just a thought... Joe

[Teckhardt]

One side note Teckhardt, Im not sure if you have ordered your tapered bearing kit from Lacey Eng. yet, but if you are so inclined (have access to a lathe, and some alum. bar stock) and want to save some $$$ I have a brand new kit sitting here and would gladly send you the exact measurements/specs/bearing part #'s etc. This new kit also came with my frame I bought, otherwise I would have fabricated/sourced it myself, but I also have access to a nice lathe, and enjoy using it, some people do not... just a thought... Joe

Thanks for the offer.

One of the things I like about the Lacey kit is that the bearing cups are high tensile stainless rather than aluminum. The aluminum would prob hold up fine but somehow stainless sounds better to me.

http://www.laceyducati.com/ducati-parts ... e3181c54bf

I also got another set of Marzocchi triples off Ebay so that I can have them modified for the extra length required with the tapered bearings. Still looking for a set of fork legs (along with a billion other parts )

[Teckhardt]

I recieved a long fiberglass tank with the frame I purchased (of unknown origin) which I had intended not to use and instead mount the Scr tank I have instead. But with this seat pan, it may work out better with the long race tank... Or if I manage to get some extra funds before its gone, Domiracer just took in a late single desmo tank like 1974ish I think ? I really like that tank, and would like to find/buy one, funds permitting...

Speaking of tanks, I am in lust over this alloy Staccato style tank.



Available here

http://www.classicducati.com/index.php? ... ductId=199

Here is a W/C Staccato machine