Nice! Thats great machine work. Perfect clearance. As for the subframe, I say go cf. I always like the "built not bought" more then anything. If you can get it right, I think it would look amazing and also give a "he really thought this design out" look.

 

Did I post that? I had that same thought and don't recall reading it or posting it on CF lol

I've got a modern Monster seat unit that I'm trying to design a subframe for for my Triumph, out of CF tube and rod...

 

IIRC, it was Danbuc's 748 thread.

I hacked up my subframe beyond recognition (basically just keeping the cast mounting plates you can see attached to my frame). I planned on building it out of aluminum - that'd cost a ton because I don't know enough about aluminum gussets to make it safe. A gusset in the wrong spot with aluminum and I could make it a death trap... Then I contemplated welding a different subframe onto the cast mounting plates - but that'd be just as expensive (having it pro welded) and I'm not sure I'll always want to keep the same tail considering I've changed my mind 15,000 times...

But after reading that SV650 cf subframe thread that Danbuc posted, the guy essentially took 4 12in tubes and made a simple subframe that he raced with for a year - and it was bullet proof. His words were "you can drop a train on it and be fine".

SV Carbon Fiber Subframe - Band Of Riders

I didn't realize there were companies that "made" square tube - and I didn't realize people made it at a pretty reasonable price like dragon plate does. After taking some measurements - they make the .75x.75 tube which is the same size as the aluminum tube that the 954 frame is made out of (20mmx20mm - being a metric bike and all that).

Plus they make gussets...

And if I want to make a new tail, all I have to do is take a hacksaw, cut off the old subframe - and then build a new one with the tube splices they make- simple.

It's almost a no brainer. All I'd need is some of the epoxy and some SS rivets... Plus, with it being as strong as it is - I could easily make it a 2-up subframe too with it still looking pretty minimalist...


Have you started yours yet? You have any pictures of it?

 

Can you tell I'm excited about it?

 

Haven't started yet. Since my bike is fairly rare at this point I'm waiting for a replacement subframe to show up cheap on ebay so I don't hack up a clean one.

And since you mention Danbuc, it's bringing back a memory. That may be where I got the idea...

lol not at all...

But I've got renewed enthusiasm after seeing the SV thread you shared... thank you for that...

 

So I had a 954 tank laying around that is pretty much useless (dented and what not). So I decided to hack it up and see if I could "make" the 954 tank fit around the air box by cutting the bottom of the tank out where it goes around the air box.

And I was able to make it fit.










Now, here's what I had to do to the tank....



Here's what I cut out



When the tank was on there, it looked like there was plenty of room around the breather tubes and tank lid to make that part of the tank. But the sides were tight - that's where the tank was binding. I was thinking that I could make a box or something off the back side of the tank so that I could gain back some of that capacity that I lost. It could sit in between the subframe rails.

The R1 gas tank came in that I bought. It doesn't fit by a mile. I'd have to narrow the bottom half of the tank for it to sit right. So I think I'm just going to sell it and make a 954 tank work.

 

Okay, new bars are here and on. They look much better than the EXP. They're a drag bar set up. It's more aggressive than the EXP bars for sure (which are for sale - if you want them, ask me)











And for those of you who are really looking at it - That 600rr master cylinder CLEARLY won't work. The lines hook up right where the fork would come through. But - that's okay, I wasn't really planing on using it.

I'm going to be buying a radial Master Cylinder off of an R1 (it's a brembo and radial...) Also, I'm going to be using the Sumitomo Monoblocs off of an R6. That combo should be able to get me stopped pretty quick.

 

The headlight I'm using also came in today. Okay - I had no idea the backside was going to be *that* long and come to a point. But I'll be cutting that out with a dremel to shorten it.

I disassembled it to see how it was made, threw my HID bulb into it, measured some things about the housing to see how much I could cut off of it, what shape it was underneath - that kind of stuff.

Also I'll be making my own shroud/fly screen for it.

I dig it though. I think it's going to look good.

Can anyone tell me what the purpose of the parking light is? I know it's mandatory in Europe, but why?


Here's some pictures of it.






Finally managed to get it out of the housing.


Bi-xenon HID kit (8000k)



IN!






If you know me, you know I can't stand when the headlight sticks out 5 feet in front of the bike, so you can see how much that "point" on the back of the housing takes up a lot of room. I didn't have enough time today, but you can say good-bye to that thing.

 

Looking good. I think the tank will work great, doesnt look like it will be too much work either. If you combine those tank modifications with the ones you were planning for the r1 tank, I think youll get some of your capacity back, plus it seems to flow with the frame more then I was envisioning the r1 doing. Good call on the bars too, I personally am a sucker for the drag bars. In my opinion, looks more aggresive and less like a "beach cruiser" you see alot around the beaches of fl. I didnt think you were gonna run that mc for one second haha. Not with the thought and time you have put in the rest of this project. Nevertheless, mock up is mock up.
The headlight shape is spot on too. As for the parking light, maybe its required since european models can shut off the headlight? Thats just a wild eyed guess though. How are you planning on relieving the rear of the housing of its extra length? You going to keep the same angular shape, just tapered more, or something completely different?
Good work so far. Nice to see it coming together. Now go DW!

 

It's plastic, so I'm going to cut as much of it off as I can, then "weld" a flat back on it. It doesn't look like much, but it's at least 2 inches that I can take off. I'll put a flat back on it, and then I'll work on the mounts. I was thinking that I *might* mount it to that top tab that I haven't ground off yet on the frame.