sounds good man.

hope you get lots of business and cant wait to see frames come together.

on a side note... what happened to the freddy cougar claws?

 

I'll post the claws up. They's still in the works at work. lol

I have to keep them hidden so my boss doesn't think I'm losing it.

 

its funny you posted this, because last night i was looking at frames to see what it might take to build a bike. i saw a bike that used this frame, and seriously wish i could build. http://www.detroitbros.com/osShop/product_info.php?products_id=117 tease me, what would it cost to build that frame for me?

 

Probably less than they are asking, AND I could built it for whatever motor, whatever wheelbase, etc.

It's not a very complicated frame though. As long as you know how to use a bender and have a mill, it's possible.

 

Very solid mpls... I can't wait to see some of your frames... Always liked all your bikes :rock:

 

Awesome dude. Look forward to what you come up with. Good luck with the side venture. Sounds like a decent idea for some scratch.

 

I could probably send you some buisness if you can do hardails (don't see that being a prob) on existing front halves, maybe with some rake work, for an decent price. I just don't have the time to do it, and I don't have a jig, so I have to do it the hard way.

For example, say I send someone to you with a random (steel) perimeter frame UJM (universal japanese motorcycle, for ya'll youngun's, lol) that wants a hardtail rear on an existing frame (meaning not having to deal with motor mounts, etc), with a 3" stretch, and wants the neck raked to 38 degrees, with a 2.5" ground clearance (my chop's specs, in case you're wondering)..... what would you charge for something like that. I only ask b/c I didn't build my current frame, and I know what that the guy that did charged me, so I'm trying to get a comparison of charges.

 

So you'd want a hardtail conversion welded up, 2.5" baseline clearance (under the mill... which means I'd need to know what wheels you want to run. ), and a 38* rake?

I could rake a neck and do all that work, for probably 350-400 including material as long as someone sent me the frame without the swingarm or subframe. I know most people charge half that for just the hardtail conversion alone without any labor at all.

I know I could charge MUCH more for totally custom work, but here's the thing. I'm not looking to make a million here. I'd just like to get steadily back into doing something I love for the money I need to get by. Nothing more.

Also, would you have any opposition to having a logo embossed on the inside of the rear plates? I would do this on my work.

I would just build a jig for hardtail conversions that I could build the tail in, then just drop the perimeter into my frame jig and go from there. :thumbup:

 

nail...head... yeah... I forgot to mention rim/tire sizes. Might want to take into account front end angle/length with regards to ride hieght. Most of my customers, when talking about "ride hieght" look at is as "from the bottom of the frame". some motors drop below the frame, some don't.

As far as a generic hardtail to use on a perimeter frame, I can tell you, that's nto gonna work. If you were doing strictly one model of frame that's one thing, but I get alot of different models, and I'm sure I don't have to explain why that won't work.

In any case, I paid $500 for my framework, not including the stupidly thick axle plates I run, shipped, so you're not far off at all.

I've seen your builds, and the quality was always there, so tell you what, I'll pass your info along to those random people asking me to do that kind of work. Off the top of my head I have a guy wanting a (non-rubber mount) sporty hardtailed, and possibly an old FLH shovelhead. I know you do alot of metric stuff, but metal is metal, it all goes together regardless if it's MM or SAE.

And no, I have no problem with you embossing a logo. It's your work, you should be entitled to sign it.

 

I do recall.

I got suspended in 6th grade for wearing that shirt.

(This was like 1992). haaha

 

Holy Shit! 9th grade for me, they didn't suspend me though. I just acted like I couldn't see what they were insinuating which just made them feel like perverts. lqtm.

 

mpls how much would you charge for a standard xs650 ridged frame?

 

Depends on what style you want, but I'd make it affordable for friends on the first few I build in return for carrying some of my cards around . :thumbup:

 

Tool Wrench and all their sick subliminal messages in artwork.... I love that band. Has been my favorite since 6th grade... Never gets old.

 

times are hard man, and friends are forever

 

:rock:

 

Nice! Can't wait to see your finished jig! I've seen your work on here, and you will have no problems moving your frames! I look forward to seeing your progress!
I've been considering doing something like this myself for a while. I've been a welder and millwright for years, (for someone else), and now due the shitty economy, I am forced to look at some other options as well. I'm thinking mobile repair welding myself. Cam

 

I'm thinking mobile repair welding myself. Cam

That's a good way to go if you are near somewhere that has alot of agricultural. Seriously. armers break shit ALL THE TIME, and every day their equipment is down is $$$$, so they PAY.

 

Tool fuckin ROCKS

My dad went to their concert in Switserland for free and doesnt even like them.

 

Let me know too. I dig the Detroit Bros and that frame. I was thinking of using a Buell/sportster motor in it. Let me know cost and shipping to texas. Thanks.

 

Here's the skinny on cost. ~$1,000.00 for any basic chassis. Any rake, stretch, etc. When you start wanting custom designed axle plates, gussets, SUPER HUGE rear ends, etc. then we'll have to talk price.

Unlike other co's (detroit, etc.) I would build them to order, so custom is what you would always get.

I would blast them and shoot them with a primer before shipping unless the buyer stated he/she didn't want that.

Shipping would be through UPS, and wouldn't run too much.

Would be in 1", 1 1/8", 1 1/4" main tube sizes, with single or double drops, and backbones up to 1 1/2".

Necks could be most anything. I can get necks for any stem mostly.

Aside from that, the only issue would be lead time. I'm not gonna compromise quality to be a one man show pounding frames out faster than is safe. My name would be on these things, so I want good SAFE frames. If you'd be willing to wait for something worth the money (and cheaper than anywhere anyhow) that is custom built to high standards, that's what I'm gonna offer.

This is still a few months out anyhow as I need to finish the jig, get another tube notcher, order my dies, get a rack built for steel in the garage, etc. But when the time comes I'll be letting everyone know. And FWIW: The first few that I do will go SUPER CHEAP (As in materials plus shipping plus a few hundred for labor) to friends in return for spreading my site cards. :thumbup:

(I'm also working on a swingarm jig, fork jig for springer forks, etc.)

 

I am an active poster on 2 or 3 motorcycle forums. From what i read (i have no idea personally) the XS frame is easy as hell to make.

I'll gladly spread the word on what you are doing. :shocker:

I was pretty happy on wild turkey when i made the ass comment but.. the more i get into this 2nd bottle tonight.. the better of an idea its becoming again. :LolLolLolLol:

 

start making SSSAs and you will have some customers as well

 

thats money right there. i want a greggs for my 954

 

MPLS, that is a killer idea. If I had a spare engine floating around (which I might soon)a fighter frame like a Duc frame would be sweet!

 

OK, I got a question Jamal.

How much for an RAU style frame to fit an oil boiler. I have a neck I can supply as well? Don't need pivot plates, just the tubes welded up.

 

how about an xr style sporster frame?

 

Nice, good luck man.

 

There is a sort of freedom in things getting so bad that it just makes sense to go out on a limb and try something random like this. Good luck with it.

 

Oh I'll be watching this....sweet.

 

I'll answer all your questions soon. My house has been invaded by my two year old who runs around yelling "BIKKEEEEEE SHOWWWW! CARRRR SHOWWW!! VROOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!!".

The jig will be close to finished this week. Will update with new pics tomorrow.

 

Kid takes priority of course. If you could put out single sided swingers for under 800 you could quit your job.

Fighters and faired bike lovers alike would be knocking at your door begging for these:

 

yeah..... i thought about buying one making a jig off of it and then selling knock off's

 

Update quickly. Added legs and wheels.

Legs are 20" long. Feet (if you call them that) are 24" and the wheels are 3" castors made of rubber. The one end is a set of swivels with locks.

Anyhow, here's the pics.

Critical thing is that everything is as square as possible at the frame side of the jig as a out of whack jig is worse than no jig at all... The legs should be squared too, but I'm running adjusters in addition. I got it square, but adjusters will help level.

 

Cool. Moving fast bud. So is there a benifit using the I beam as aposed to welding together 2x3?