Speed Bike

[K-dregg]

Just started this motorized bike build.. Im going for a long,low drag bike look but with a retro twist.. I want it to look over enginereed and complicated.. Tripple clamp fork, 28 inch rear wheel and something smaller up front..





Haven't welded before, so it a learning process to..

[Motopecane]

Sounds fun! I got a welder not too long ago and started teaching myself how to weld. Bikes are a great place to start! Interested to see how you make this "complicated looking".

[K-dregg]

Ok, did a mock up with the parts i got so far and started to cut the tubes for the rear.. having the day of tomorrow so hopefully i get that bit welded up then.. Probably chop the top of the forks to to see how that looks..



Not shure about the placement of the tank though..

[SSG]

Interesting style you've got going. I'd say you could leave a little bit of the fork tubes left above the top tree so you could run clip ons, but as far back as that seat is they would probably be too low to ride in relative comfort. It would be awesome for about a quarter mile though.

[g-ratter]

post your photos bigger so we can get a good look. This sounds like it is going to be interesting.

[Motopecane]

You've definitely got a sweet cafe racer look going. Keep up the good work!

[K-dregg]

Got some bits on today.. The piece wrapped around the head is for looks and to stop the headtube to fall of at 40mph.. (those where welded first ) The piece sticking out from the old headtube is for the steering damper, yeah you need one of those to..

And all those fans of smooth welds should stop reading and run away now.. I'm starting to think about this build as a tribute to all those crap welders out there.. This ones for you..



Tomorrow i'll try to figure out how to do the seat.. First i though of a Banana seat but that would make it look like a bicycle to much..

[Hoeha]

Yeah! Crap welders rule!!

[Dr. Tankenstein]

I'm digging the cafe' racer look on this, reminds me of:

You try an old MX 'loaf' seat. I think someone on here was selling one not long ago.
Here's one on eBay:http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-MX-Motocross-BMX-Seat-Made-Japan-/400160534743?pt=Cycling_Parts_Accessories&hash=item5d2b6d30d7
Or maybe use the seat off of an OCC Stingray? It would be nice to see one put to good use!
http://www.ratrodbikes.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=31984&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&hilit=chopper

Cool build, good luck!
Dr. T

[K-dregg]

Ok.. So the seat "cluster" is done.. I think im going to try to find some really thick leather and make the saddle myself..




I started to mock up the support for the fairing (yes, there will be a faring, thats how you shave of seconds on the salt flats )




I would like to find some really beat up sheet metall for it and the pop rivet it to the support to give it a airplane vibe but i couldnt find any on todays dumpster hunt, maybe i'll just buy some and beat it up myself..

Thanks for the input and comments!

[Hoeha]

Oyeah, a rivetted fairing, that 'll look cool! Do you plan on a rounded shape?

[K-dregg]

Well sort of, i'm not sure if i want it to extend around the forks.. Im thinking of just letting it sort of wrap around the engine to make the bike look a bit lower.. I realize that there could be some problems with the cranks so i might ditch them, the best foot position is near the rear wheel anyways.. Some pegs and a kick lever that actuates the rear coaster brake by a chain would be cool..

[Hoeha]

That footbrake would definitely be cool

[K-dregg]

I got the struts and rods for the fairing "sub structure" done today and the welds are slowly getting better.. (some guy is going "wait! have they been worse!!? .)





And i got a very shiny steering damper in the mail today. Not really feeling the gold, might sand it down a bit, it looks to new. I think the braced struts looks kinda cool to, it adds to the turn of the century air plane vibe i'm after.. Think the Wright brothers goes speedbiking.





I might need to add some struts at the rear, but to know where to place them i need to work out the look of the fairing..





I also have a nagging suspicion that the fairing might amplify the sound of the engine like cracy.

.

[Motopecane]

Ok I wasn't sure where you were going with some of this at first but I can really see it now. I want to see more!