First name is Sky
Joined on November 16th of '05
Lives in bend, OR
Local time: 12:26 PM
PM Posts: 377

So I got my tank today!

I'm in love with the way this thing is turning out right now. Now I can begin to build the exocage for the tank.

Here's a few pics:





And my two favorites:




Hooray!

Report post | Post #46 of 381

First name is Carl
Joined on June 1st of '07
Lives in Marikina, Philippines, -
Local time: 04:26 AM
PM Posts: 687

Very nice. I love this build.

Report post | Post #47 of 381

First name is Sky
Joined on November 16th of '05
Lives in bend, OR
Local time: 12:26 PM
PM Posts: 377

Tiny update, Got the bars on the swingarm notched and tacked into place, also welded on my footpegs.....yep that's right, welded on. They're perfect, and I'm really happy with their placement.

pics:

Evil eyes in this pic

Report post | Post #48 of 381

Premium Member

First name is dave
Joined on August 18th of '04
Lives in Bung Hole, LA
Local time: 02:26 PM
PM | Posts: 10187

looks nice.. i like the handle bars.. the loop in frt. leaves a nice place to mount a headlight too ..

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Report post | Post #49 of 381

First name is Sky
Joined on November 16th of '05
Lives in bend, OR
Local time: 12:26 PM
PM Posts: 377

quote:

Originally posted by DAVE looks nice.. i like the handle bars.. the loop in frt. leaves a nice place to mount a headlight too ..

that's why it's there, except there will be a bar looping downward from that bar that the light will mount to.

Report post | Post #50 of 381

Joined on April 6th of '05
Lives in harrisburg, PA
Local time: 03:26 PM
PM Posts: 7207

hey in the background, those two wheels by the shelf, what're they off of?

Report post | Post #51 of 381

Joined on October 9th of '07
Lives in Chilliwack, Canada
Local time: 08:26 PM
PM Posts: 8

look like stock xs650 wheels to me

Report post | Post #52 of 381

First name is Sam -
Joined on June 28th of '04
Lives in central, NY
Local time: 03:26 PM
PM | | Posts: 5711

Sick sick sick! I don't know HOW the hell I missed this one!
Probably because I've been forced into hiding! hahaha

Killer job on the build so far bro!
I'm all over it!
Thinkin' outside the box for sure on this one!

I've been playing with air suspensions for years,
so let me just chime in here real quick.

Are you still planning on using something to 'move' your
frame / swingarm into a riding position, and back to a 'parking position'?

I really like that idea!

Using an air-bag (air spring) will move around a bit.
(like the guys said, effecting the chain tension a bit)

The bag would have to be fully inflated to max psi,
in order to make the frame feel 'ridid'.

I'm just not sure how that would 'ride'....

Here's a thought.

Think about looking into an air Cylinder!
That way, no matter where it is positioned...
It will essentially be 'rigid'.

They are less expensive than air bags, and in an ap
like this, would work better.

I'm even thinking about doing some custom designed ones
on my truck, when I'm able to get back around to it.

They rock.

aside from that...

I just found a company on e-bay that builds their own
12v powered air compressors. (for air shifter setups)
They are super cheap!

If you're going for an on-board-air setup, this would work GREAT!
The only other thing needed would be:
Valving (to air up, and to purge)
A remote air tank (if you want)

Or, go electric. Some 12v valves would work KILLER!
Then just use a single pole 3 way switch to click it up / down.
(momentary on-off-momentary on)

Just a thought...

Keep up the GREAT work!!!



Sam -

Report post | Post #53 of 381

First name is Sky
Joined on November 16th of '05
Lives in bend, OR
Local time: 12:26 PM
PM Posts: 377

Yep, those are the stock XS650 wheels. They're up for grabs if anyone wants them.

Thanks for the compliments Chopd, and as far as the air cylinder idea goes, I'm way ahead of ya:

The air cylinders, compressor, tank, and valves are all already on their way to me. Everything got ordered over the weekend and everything but the cylinders will be here by the end of the week.

thanks again for the positive comments, and trust me, I'm going to keep after this thing until it's finished!

Report post | Post #54 of 381

First name is Sam -
Joined on June 28th of '04
Lives in central, NY
Local time: 03:26 PM
PM | | Posts: 5711

Right on man! That's GREAT to hear!

Did you decide on manual or electric valves?

I've got manual in my mini-truck, and can't wait to go
electric. So much faster. *1/2" to 3/4" on that one*

Damn, just think...
If you went that big on your scoot...
You'd have a built in ejector-seat!



Sam -

Report post | Post #55 of 381

First name is Sky
Joined on November 16th of '05
Lives in bend, OR
Local time: 12:26 PM
PM Posts: 377

I was thinking tonight that I haven't gotten the bike down on the real floor to see just how low it is, and I must say, I'm very happy- this bike is loooooow

Nothing you haven't seen, but it looks good on the floor:


For reference in this picture, I'm 6' 1"




You know you love my sweater :P

Report post | Post #56 of 381

First name is Carl
Joined on June 1st of '07
Lives in Marikina, Philippines, -
Local time: 04:26 AM
PM Posts: 687

That is sweet! (The bike, not the sweater) This is the first look we've had at that ride height. Going great all around bro! Keep up the good work! Hmm, If you're 6'1" your backside's going to be just about 20" (+/- an inch or two) off the ground when that's running.

Report post | Post #57 of 381

Joined on April 6th of '05
Lives in harrisburg, PA
Local time: 03:26 PM
PM Posts: 7207

they looked stock, couldn't tell though.

Report post | Post #58 of 381

Joined on June 8th of '04
Lives in winnipeg, Canada
Local time: 02:26 PM
PM | SITE Posts: 79

its pretty different, and like everyone here, I like it. If I might say so, its kinda like a Japanese version of the Matt Koch bike (did I spell that right ?) . I don't know much about that one, other than it lowers onto the pavement (like yours) and his was a Harley. Should be interesting when all of the finishing touches go in.

Report post | Post #59 of 381

First name is Sky
Joined on November 16th of '05
Lives in bend, OR
Local time: 12:26 PM
PM Posts: 377

Hooray for Parts!!!!









Here you can see, I got my air cylinders, air compressor (it's the 3/4hp model, I wanted the 1/3hp which is smaller, but they were backordered for 6 weeks, and they gave me an 80.00 discount to upgrade), 1 gallon air tank, air valve, rear sprocket, headlight, jackshaft assembly (minus the sprockets, they'll be here next week), rear axle and wheel spacers (they need to be cut to fit), and the chain (which was a nice suprise, because the color scheme on this bike is going to be satin black and gold, I didn't know the chain would come gold like that.)

Here's a somewhat mockup showing the placement of stuff in the rear section. This stuff is by no means set in stone- it's all dependant on how it goes together.



And a fun shot of the headlamp mounting position, I really like this headlight, little bit of old school look to it.



I have to go to Seattle all next week for training at work, then another week of work, but then, over christmas and new years time, I get that whole week off, and much should get done. I'm renting a plasma cutter to cut brackets and mounting tabs, ect....
Here's my to-do list:

Finish bars with headlight mounting point
Install compressor, tank, and cylinders
cut out seat pan, basically finish the seat besides covering
cut out license plate backer plate and finish mounting to side of swingarm
Finish rear axle blocks and get rear axle mounted in place properly
Install rear sprocket and set up jackshaft assembly
Attempt to pressurize system and see just how much clearance I have

I also need to put the motor back in during the air system install, to make sure I won't have any clearance issues later.

Thanks
Sky

Report post | Post #60 of 381