| Author | Message | ||
     Mikethediabetic |
So I started a thread a little while ago about "thinking about" a short tail build. Well I have officially started it and here is where I will be documenting the build. So like I said in my previous thread. Another person built a short tail like this but I wanted it shorter. The previous guy made it so the stock seat would fit. Mine is all custom. So I started with a stock seat I got from a salvage place on ebay for $30. the seat cover was ripped but that didnt matter because I was going to re-wrap it anyway. The first steps in the build was to section the seat to the length I wanted. I want the end of the seat to be about the same place vertically as the rear axle. I also need to retain the passenger seat for when me and my wife go for rides from time to time. So I took 3" out of the seat. First step was to take apart the seat. I had to take out all the staples holding the cover on and then slowly and carefully remove it from the foam as not to rip it. Then I drilled out the rivets holding the seat latch in.  Next I laid out my lines and sectioned it with an angle grinder and cut off wheel.  Then I laid the pieces down to roughly get the shape.  After that I "tacked" the pieces together with a soldering iron.   Then I finished plastic welding the seat together and trimmed the seat foam to fit the new pan. Here is how it sits in the factory sub-frame to see the difference.  Finally here is the the seat VERY roughly on the bike to see how the seat and angle would look like.  So there is my progress so far. I will start the support loop sometime this week. What do you think so far? | ||
| Rjn |
 what about the sub frame? going to modify to original frame or building from scratch? | ||
| Mikethediabetic |
building one from scratch like this. http://www.buellxb.com/buell_images/9817_201108211 44609_L.jpg | ||
| Phelan |
I like the fan filter, it looks like of the NZXT filters I've gotten from 3 different Phantom cases I've had for different computer builds. What kind of fan are you using? | ||
| Mikethediabetic |
Thats exactly what it is lol. I plasma cut the metal out and used the filter/screen from a NZXT case i just built. I forget how much cfm fan i bought but i know its up there. Maybe 120 cfm. | ||
| Mikethediabetic |
Here is roughly what I am looking to achieve. Not sure if I am going to put the extra angled supports in. I did a stress test on it and the rear should hold the weight of more than 4 times an average person without trouble. The lengths aren't exact because I did it quick off the top of my head nut you get the picture. Any comments?  | ||
| Phelan |
If it's a computer fan, you'll likely want to pop the blades out and trim them just a hair, as they usually protrude the body thickness at the far edges of the blades, and will move when shaken, which can cause contact issues and break the blades. | ||
| Phelan |
BTW the frame cad looks awesome. I would build just as pictured for sustained strength, to avoid failure after fatigue. | ||
| Lynrd |
Agreed, the cad of that rear section looks really good. the extra supports look like a good idea to me if you are ever going to be 2 up - the rear section would be a very long lever without it. Long levers deliver a lot of torque. Torque is not good in this case  | ||
| Mikethediabetic |
i thought we loved torque?! Lol i know. more support definitely wont hurt. glad you guys like the design. i finished the main loop tonight will post progress. | ||
| Mikethediabetic |
Update: Tonight i made the main loop. i started by making a jig. i used 3/4" with sheet metal on top so the wood wouldnt catch fire with the heat, i then traced out the seat profile and marked out where i wanted the spacers.  I had a buddy help me heat with a torch while i bent it around my spacers. i then cut and welded up the mounts and welded them to the loop. Here is the loop on the bike.  Here is the pan in the loop. Its not PERFECT but good enough for me.  Here is the pan and foam on the loop.  And lastly here is the profile of the assembly.  | ||
| Gianni312 |
Nice progress! | ||
| Davetooch |
Mike, looks sick. Nice work thing is a beast | ||
| Mikethediabetic |
thanks guys. will have the supports in tonight. Then i can finally sit on it again and really get a feel for it. then its time to figure out mounting the ecm and whatnot. I am also going with a different tail light. I love my smoked sequential but it would look akward sitting out back on this tail. | ||
| Purpony |
looking good!! here is the electrical tray i made-     | ||
| Mikethediabetic |
wow purpony. that looks awesome. that is similar to the place i am going to put it. i only have one bar instead of 2 like yours so i am limited with space. yours looks better than factory tho. very nice job. i hope mine comes out half as nice. | ||
| General_ulysses |
Can't say the high upward angle of the seat suits my tastes, but your fabrication skills are undeniable. Very professional looking workmanship. | ||
| Mikethediabetic |
yeah i guess you either like it or you dont. i thought the stock tail was a little low so i wanted a more aggressive look. the ride is still very comfortable. and thanks for compliment. | ||
| Mikethediabetic |
ok so i have some more progress. I changed my design up a little last minute. I wanted more support but didnt like the angles of the cad design once it was on the bike. so i opted for a triangular type design kinda of like the main frame of a ducati monster. i think it came out better and stronger. but i will let you be the judge. Here is a pic of the cross bracing i was talking about. It took a long time to make it fit well but it was worth it. it is very strong and its only tacked together.  Here it is with the electronics and the seat latch.  I tried to follow the lines of the frame into the subframe. You can kinda of see that in this pic.  Here is a shot from behind  Finally here is the profile shot.  I still have some things to wrap up. finish mounting some things, create an undertail, and then finish welding. I think its coming out pretty good so far. | ||
| Rjn |
Looks good, but why didn't you took over the lines of the frame? Using the same angles as where youre fan is hanging in between. Or maybe when its all blacked out it wont stand out anymore | ||
| Lander_x1 |
Really nice!!!  | ||
| Rocket_in_uk |
why didn't you took over the lines of the frame? and just use the down tubes you attached. It surely wont need all that trellis work, which looks really out of place. The seat angle needs bringing down as suggested, to meet the lines of the upper forward tube, and junk those trellis bars, then it will look more like it belongs and was intended. Rocket in England | ||
| Mikethediabetic |
which lines are you referring to? the vertical-ish tube by the cooling fan and matching the angle of the vertical-ish support in the sub frame? and ditching the last support tube? | ||
| Mikethediabetic |
More like this? im not sure i like it.  | ||
| Rjn |
That's what i meant, but looking at it; doesn't look right. | ||
| Phelan |
As far as the seat angle goes, it looks fine to me. I think the rear stand just makes it look like it's sticking up further than it actually is. | ||
| Hootowl |
Seems like you would always be sliding forward towards the tank with the seat like that. I really dig the tube tail sections though. They look like they belong there. If it were mine though, I'd lower it a bit in the back. Looks great though. | ||
| Mikethediabetic |
well like phelan said. i think the seat looks extra tall because of the rear stand. as far as sliding on the seat i actually took a little bit of foam out of the back of the butt part to compensate for that a little bit. and i did keep the frame how it was. just finished up welding it. should be able to paint tomorow. also i noticed something odd today. i stared the bike to make sure everything was ok since i was moving electronics around. well the bike started and idled fine but the red engine light came on. i let it idle for 30 seconds to a minute and it didnt turn off. does anyone know what could be making it do that? does that light mean its overheating or is it like a check engine light? its never been on before. | ||
| Hootowl |
Did you reconnect the BAS? | ||
| Jayvee |
This reminds me of the baggy-jeans style, supposedly it was originally a "prison" look, because they take your belt when you go in. Then people imitate it to look tough and it becomes the style. Now we have stunters and such who wheelie their bike a lot, sometimes right over the back, and it bends the seat support up in the air, can't afford to fix it, leave it like that. Then people imitate it and it becomes the style. The craftsmanship looks really good, but the appearance of the kicked-up tail is quite silly to me. If you like it though, then real good job! |
