+
I added a subframe behind the seat for the rear
shocks. I still need to create upper shock mounts, as well as add mounts to
the aluminum swingarm. I bought another swingarm and will do some
experiments to see what works best before altering the
original. Although this looks pretty simple, it took some time to figure out
the right height and angle to support the rear end without interfering with
the seat. Like with everything else, it's just tacked into place.
The front suspension is 90% complete. Click on the
photo to see a larger version. The white tubes in the forks are the only
mockup pieces remaining. To replace those, I need to fabricate new fork
"upper tubes" from aluminum bar stock, which requires access to a lathe.
They'll get pressed into the existing fork lowers, or bolted
somehow, or even epoxied. I intend to run the brake lines inside the forks
for the final version to give a clean look, but for the prototype I'll take
the easy route and use braided hoses down the outside.
I was able to put quite a few
hours into ProjectVF over the last
two weeks, and here are the results:
I bought four rear coilover shocks
from a pair of Honda CB650s sitting in a salvage yard. After looking at a lot of
shocks I found that most were about 12" center-to-center, so if these
particular shocks don't work, it's a pretty good bet other shocks will fit
the same angle mounts.
After some head-scratching and a
few pages of sketches, I chopped off the headstock and replaced it with a piece of tubing and
some angles. Click
on the photo to see a larger version. At the moment it's just tacked
together in case I decide to change it. With the vestigial headstock gone,
the need for odd-looking control arms is also gone, which means the next
version of this suspension can be simpler and lighter and stronger all at
once. The welds will look nicer, too.
The assembly jig is now nothing more than an
elevated work platform. Once the rear coilover shocks are in place,
ProjectVF will actually be self-supporting. Eventually I'll add a kickstand,
but for now a few scraps of wood hold the bike in place. Crude as it was, the assembly jig was worth
building, served it's purpose well, and only cost about $40.
A local machinist created a pair tapered adapters which allow the
ball joints to mate with the triple-clamps. I hammered the adapters into
place, did some semi-confident welding, then ground it flat and bolted the ball joints into place. Voila!
My welds have improved greatly over the past few
months, as evidenced by these additions to the frame. I'm not ready to look
for work as a welder, but it's nice to know I can stick two pieces of metal
together and not worry about them falling apart.
