TRITON! ...at last...
- Thread starter grandpaul
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WAHOO!!
I won a 4LS Suzuki wheel on e-bay a couple of minutes ago; best price I've seen one go for in a while...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320640331059&viewitem=&autorefresh=true
I won a 4LS Suzuki wheel on e-bay a couple of minutes ago; best price I've seen one go for in a while...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320640331059&viewitem=&autorefresh=true
Congratulations, Paul. That is a good score!! Things are humming right along.
MIGHTA! (How many of you remember what that means?)
I've successfully re-invented the wheel (so to speak). I've come up with what I believe is a simple, straight-forward, relatively easy to fabricate design for a swingarm bushing & half-spindle conversion for the featherbed frame.
Yes, I know, there are needle bearing conversions and other solutions already out there, I want my TriTon to be MY TriTon.
I've successfully re-invented the wheel (so to speak). I've come up with what I believe is a simple, straight-forward, relatively easy to fabricate design for a swingarm bushing & half-spindle conversion for the featherbed frame.
Yes, I know, there are needle bearing conversions and other solutions already out there, I want my TriTon to be MY TriTon.
I went ahead and re-designed the spindle bits to be true HALF-SPINDLES. Several comments on other forums all related to the spindle stubs, so I altered the design to full-width, with a male/female joint in the center.
I don't think it lends much to the strength of the assembly, as all the load happens at the bushings; nevertheless, it will cost all of 10 or 20 dollars more to build this way, so why not...
I don't think it lends much to the strength of the assembly, as all the load happens at the bushings; nevertheless, it will cost all of 10 or 20 dollars more to build this way, so why not...
You certainly have a skill and talent there that I lack!
Well, the old "find the right diameter socket and use THAT to press the old bushing out with" trick paid off.
I borrowed my friend's 30-ton press and heavy duty socket set, arranged some press blocks accordingly, set the swingarm atop a socket that was sized to allow the old bits to slide out of the swingarm and into the socket's hollow, then jigged a thin socket into a 6" extension and started pressing.
It tightened up then started to resist pretty heavily, so I released it and checked everything; no worries. Re-started the pressing and got to the stiff spot then slowly pumped in 2 more pumps, feeling around the swingarm for any possible buckling, and all of a sudden[size=14pt] "POP"! [/size] The rest was gravy, it all slid right out.
I don't beileve the swingarm tube is "stepped", I believe the second bearing's outer sleeve is lodged in there. However, it doesn't bother me or my planned half-spindle & bushing modification, so I'm leaving it in.
...besides we didn't have a socket or dowel of the exact size needed to press the thin-walled sleeve out.
I borrowed my friend's 30-ton press and heavy duty socket set, arranged some press blocks accordingly, set the swingarm atop a socket that was sized to allow the old bits to slide out of the swingarm and into the socket's hollow, then jigged a thin socket into a 6" extension and started pressing.
It tightened up then started to resist pretty heavily, so I released it and checked everything; no worries. Re-started the pressing and got to the stiff spot then slowly pumped in 2 more pumps, feeling around the swingarm for any possible buckling, and all of a sudden[size=14pt] "POP"! [/size] The rest was gravy, it all slid right out.
I don't beileve the swingarm tube is "stepped", I believe the second bearing's outer sleeve is lodged in there. However, it doesn't bother me or my planned half-spindle & bushing modification, so I'm leaving it in.
...besides we didn't have a socket or dowel of the exact size needed to press the thin-walled sleeve out.
Success!!! Well done. There nothing like having the right tool - or access to the right tool.
Okay, I'm now on the "Mark III" design of the swingarm spindle upgrade.
I'm going with a solid 3/4" dia. spindle, welded to one plate, then turned down to 1/2" and rethreaded on the other end where it will pass through the frame web at full 3/4" diameter and abut the second plate at it's 1/2" hole. The length of the 3/4" section of the shaft will be the exact out-to-out dimension of the frame webs.
No drawing at the moment, as my new installation of AutoCAD on my laptop is flaking out on the dialog boxes (missing a .dll file, apparently), so I only have an unfinished line drawing update.
Delivered to powdercoater yesterday:
(2) Featherbed frames, swingarms & miscellaneous bits
(2) Commando frames and all associated bits
All of the above were bolt, washer & nutted per Old Britts' spec sheet, and will be completion masked by powdercoater per the masking instructions.
About 10 days from now, should have pix of all the nice freshly powdercoated bits.
Here's the custom made lug for the Commando sidestand-
Welded up with gusset plate on the backside, the last detail before prep for powdercoat-
Also got in the first batch of overhaul parts for the Bonnie lump-
Gaskets, bearings, seals, valves & guides, primary & drive chain, new sprocket, electronic ignition kit, Emgo clutch plates (my favorites), and allen head sump plug.
I'm going with a solid 3/4" dia. spindle, welded to one plate, then turned down to 1/2" and rethreaded on the other end where it will pass through the frame web at full 3/4" diameter and abut the second plate at it's 1/2" hole. The length of the 3/4" section of the shaft will be the exact out-to-out dimension of the frame webs.
No drawing at the moment, as my new installation of AutoCAD on my laptop is flaking out on the dialog boxes (missing a .dll file, apparently), so I only have an unfinished line drawing update.
Delivered to powdercoater yesterday:
(2) Featherbed frames, swingarms & miscellaneous bits
(2) Commando frames and all associated bits
All of the above were bolt, washer & nutted per Old Britts' spec sheet, and will be completion masked by powdercoater per the masking instructions.
About 10 days from now, should have pix of all the nice freshly powdercoated bits.
Here's the custom made lug for the Commando sidestand-
Welded up with gusset plate on the backside, the last detail before prep for powdercoat-
Also got in the first batch of overhaul parts for the Bonnie lump-
Gaskets, bearings, seals, valves & guides, primary & drive chain, new sprocket, electronic ignition kit, Emgo clutch plates (my favorites), and allen head sump plug.
Progress! Nice job on the sidestand lug.
I kept wondering why no word back from Dresda, and kept missing the "golden hour" where I could make contact before thier shop closing; finally got a call in this morning and Dave informed me that they only had one set of engine plates done and had been waiting on materials stock up until yesterday. Supposedly, the other 2 sets will be ready by next week, should have them in about 2 weeks.
Looks like everything will be coming together about the same time.
I'll just mount up a useable tire on the front wheel for now, then mock up the rolling chassis as soon as trhe frame is powdercoated. I've got some spacer & brake torque arm fabrication to do on the forks.
Looks like everything will be coming together about the same time.
I'll just mount up a useable tire on the front wheel for now, then mock up the rolling chassis as soon as trhe frame is powdercoated. I've got some spacer & brake torque arm fabrication to do on the forks.
I am looking forward to seeing the mock up.
Bushings and thrust washers arrived yesterday, just need the chassis bits back from powdercoat and the new spindle setup will be ready to mock up.
We need a pic of the mock up!
Got in the spindle steel stock today and test-fit the bushings, VERY NICE gentle friction fit, so the heavy oil will migrate slowly (I'll use wicking o-rings to keep it in check).
Powdercoater says everything is ready, so I'll venture out into the freezing and possibly snowy I-35 corridor tomorrow...
Powdercoater says everything is ready, so I'll venture out into the freezing and possibly snowy I-35 corridor tomorrow...
Drive carefully, Paul. I-35? You must be using a different powdercoater than when I was there.
Yes, the guy near the coast got a real job and is never around to follow through with his old customers. I may be able to buy his whole shop for a decent price. It all collapses into the main room of the portable shack, and can be hauled up onto a roll-back and delivered anywhere, just like oilfield equipment. Very neat.
[quote author=grandpaul link=topic=9414.msg57472#msg57472 date=1296826307]
Yes, the guy near the coast got a real job and is never around to follow through with his old customers. I may be able to buy his whole shop for a decent price. It all collapses into the main room of the portable shack, and can be hauled up onto a roll-back and delivered anywhere, just like oilfield equipment. Very neat.
[/quote]
That is a neat setup. If the price is right, you could be in the powdercoating business. I wonder how much work you could get from the outside? You would keep yourself pretty busy!
Yes, the guy near the coast got a real job and is never around to follow through with his old customers. I may be able to buy his whole shop for a decent price. It all collapses into the main room of the portable shack, and can be hauled up onto a roll-back and delivered anywhere, just like oilfield equipment. Very neat.
[/quote]
That is a neat setup. If the price is right, you could be in the powdercoating business. I wonder how much work you could get from the outside? You would keep yourself pretty busy!
One of our vintage bike club members is a commercial pilot, but he was spending too much time away from his new (and delicious!) wife so he took up powdercoating as a money making hobby and worked elsewhere. Like many hobbies it ballooned into a full time job and he's doing quite well at it.
With over 130 members in the club we're his best customer, but gets a lot of business from the public too.
With over 130 members in the club we're his best customer, but gets a lot of business from the public too.
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