[KANE]

Link to parts 1 - 4

The Kane Chronicles part 5: 08-20-07 Subframe building

Allrighty now. This project has been very slow going for me. I expected to have it finished three months ago but life gets in the damn way. Here is the build to get the new Motocyco tail installed. Click the link above for the earlier entries to this build up.

I knew that the fat SOB stocker had to go. Originally I was going to just do a complete bobber, but in the interest of being somewhat street legal I decided to purchase a fighter tail. This brought me very close to my $2500 total budget for this bike but I think the results will be worth it.

Since I bought a custom tail section logic dictated that the entire subframe had to be built from scratch. So I went and bought some tubing and then went to town. Even though I used steel for the material it actually turned out lighter than expected. The tubing is a thin wall design and all the add on items are out of aluminum It turned out very strong so I know it will take a hit and stand up to it.

Fab for the seat mount.

Initial mock up for the rest of the frame

Once I got the frame tacked together I then started building the light mounts, ECU mount and battery box. The battery box took as much time as building the subframe but I think it came out perfect. It hold the battery, Ignition switch and the starter solenoid. Plus I mounted the volt regulator under the box to get fresh air.

Here is the paper mock up of the battery box. I used a ton of construction paper for every thing that needed to be made. It saves a lot of time and make nice templates for the real pieces.

After the mock up is made then the pieces get cut and put together for final fitment.

The ignition switch under the left tail section

It’s a tight fit but it all fits.

Can’t forget the taillight donated from my friends 03 GSXR 1k. The tail was designed with this in mind so my light are nice and legal. Plus that light is badass.

Here are shot of the subframe after final welding last Saturday and then after I painted it and mounted it to the bike for the final time.

It was mounted with the factory stock bolts.

Here is another cool goodie for the bike. My brass knuckle heal guards. The trademark of a fighter.

NOW FINALLY I HAVE A PICTURE OF AN ACTUAL BIKE. YAY!!!! The pics are slightly blurry but they were shot in crap light with a crap camera.

Nice stubby tail

and a fat ass, oh yeah!

 

[dogbreath]

Damn that looks nice
gonna be sweet when it's all painted and shit!

 

[DougZ]

I don't like that tail, persay, but I can appreciate the work that went into it. :rock:

So, I guess there is no issue with leaning the battery like that? I was thinking about doing the same thing with mine, but further back in my solo tail.

 

[929_adam]

great write up and pic thread. thx.

 

[Kpg2713]

Looks great. Not used to seeing a tail like that not pointed straight up in the air though. Can't wait to see it painted.

 

[The Green Lantern]

nice bike man,your sub frame is pretty slick

 

[KANE]

So, I guess there is no issue with leaning the battery like that? I was thinking about doing the same thing with mine, but further back in my solo tail.

Nope, the battery is at the very same lean as the stock setup with the SRAD bikes. The R6 leans just the same. As long as you use a sealed gel battery you will be fine.

 

[KANE]

Looks great. Not used to seeing a tail like that not pointed straight up in the air though. Can't wait to see it painted.

I think the same thing. The Motocyco bike that the tail was originally designed for pretty much points the same way. I didn't like it at first but the look grew on me and the price was very right compare to European fare.

 

[TA2LURCH]

nice fab work!!

 

[dogbreath]

Nope, the battery is at the very same lean as the stock setup with the SRAD bikes. The R6 leans just the same. As long as you use a sealed gel battery you will be fine.

Yeah make sure you mention that. SEALED BATTERIES ONLY!

 

[DougZ]

Yeah make sure you mention that. SEALED BATTERIES ONLY!

Link to the sealed batts please. :skrooz:

 

[KANE]

You can buy sealed batteries at pretty much any motorcycle store and Cycle Gear carry's them also if you have a store in your area. They are basically maintenance free batteries. The top is sealed off so your cannot get to the fluids inside.

 

[DougZ]

You can buy sealed batteries at pretty much any motorcycle store and Cycle Gear carry's them also if you have a store in your area. They are basically maintenance free batteries. The top is sealed off so your cannot get to the fluids inside.

OK, thanks...I see one in my bikes future too.

 

[Nev]

looks good

 

[ab420]

Looks sweet! I like the angle, different from what you normally see, but it still looks great, nice work! :rock:

 

[BanditFighter]

yeaaah man really nice...:rock:

 

[ThatguyDave]

I like the metal fab and it kills me that someone else thought enough of Yamaha calipers to mount them on a Suzuki. Don't fret about the added weight of a steel subframe over an aluminum one. Its a dirty secret, but many Japanese aluminum frames and subframe weight way more than there thin walled steel equivalents. They have made great strides though and saved considerable weight on some of their newer bikes. Part of the reason I choose to put a heavily modified YZF swingarm on my FZR and not a R6 swingarm of the same lineage was that the R6 way significantly heavier. Likewise, the stripped 916 frame hanging around the shop weighted much less than any alloy frames we had on hand.

Hard for me to bitch about the unpainted gas tank but what color is the bike going to be? It needs paint immeadiatly. Its a real pain getting all those electronics into a confined space isn't it. haha Getting the battery under the swingarm wasn't much better.

Good work....

 

[fslflint]

I like the metal fab and it kills me that someone else thought enough of Yamaha calipers to mount them on a Suzuki. Don't fret about the added weight of a steel subframe over an aluminum one. Its a dirty secret, but many Japanese aluminum frames and subframe weight way more than there thin walled steel equivalents. They have made great strides though and saved considerable weight on some of their newer bikes. Part of the reason I choose to put a heavily modified YZF swingarm on my FZR and not a R6 swingarm of the same lineage was that the R6 way significantly heavier. Likewise, the stripped 916 frame hanging around the shop weighted much less than any alloy frames we had on hand.

Hard for me to bitch about the unpainted gas tank but what color is the bike going to be? It needs paint immeadiatly. Its a real pain getting all those electronics into a confined space isn't it. haha Getting the battery under the swingarm wasn't much better.

Good work....

haha, I like this guy. my steel framed fz700 is no lightweight, but the modded frame and subframe are not the big weight offenders.


the bike has already be painted... and it looks SICK!!! but I can't seem to find the pics right now. maybe somebody else will chime in and post the pics.

 

[gsxrjez]

Kane I love the way you've gone about building your bike, AND it don't look like a bodge job. Well done. But being a fighterer myself I must add my thoughts. In my honest opinion, this seat unit only looks good low, which yours is..... BUT it doesn't go with the SRAD which I really thinks need a HIGH seat when fightered. which is why not a lot of people use them for fighters. They need to be EXTREME. It is a lovely seat unit BUT in my opinion, it is on par (shape and size wise) with the MV Augusta's one. Would look perfect with 4 mini silencers under there.

Anyone feel free to fucking grill me if you want I won't argue back, unlike some other fighterers out there who like an online argument.




Jez

 

[gsxrjez]

Another quick thing just to let you all know.Every time I read the word "aluminum" I get really frustrated. But then I realize that it's an American forum. It's ALUMINIUM god damn it.


LOL