tilt the tank a little more, the back has to go up a little more.
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im thinkin this too - Id almost position it so the top of the tank is basically parralel to the ground so the tail is up in the air sort of in a sport bike position - thats what im seein anywaz
neh - on second thought with it bein a rigid frame just raising it a little bit would prob flow better
i dunno - im a big fan of that tail section special79 did using a mustang (I think) tank - plannin to do somethin similar but prob just fab from sheetmetal stock to begin
dont get me wrong - im pickin up what yer layin down, but something just aint right yet
So, being as how I don't have a lot of garage time, things will move kinda slow. However, I did hit the Lowe's and get some sheet metal for the body of the tail and moved it back a good bit and it definitely ''flows'' better.
I don't have another Rapido tank. If I did, I wouldn't cut it up. The dead sporty tank that I am using actually kinda works with the lines of the tank that's on there. Also, I didn't put the back end in the air 'cause it just kills the lines. I want this to look like less of an abortion and more like I meant it to happen.
I will be putting a radius on the bottom of the tank. Wanted to wait and get the position finalized before I started cutting. Will probably get the filler strip tacked onto the top of the tank first, set it up, mark and cut it. Count on it happening next week.
I am really digging all the input, however. Thanks for it. I will definitely be keeping this going. The only bonus to a long winter in NJ is that I will have the time to get her together.
Feeling a little overwhelmed by this right now. Gotta friend gonna give a little advice in the next day or two, and he's an awesome fabricator. Get back at it after that.
looks like a great start to me! and a totally different shape than what's usually done with hardtails,
Like we talked about the other night the thing to do is find that balance in the lines that you like, the make a mock up , sit on it, you know the drill...
cut your metal to suit and start working on it, you got the skills to make it nasty, just let yourself be a little free with it, sketchy at first then work it down,
personally i dig the hardtail frame with the more square hard angles of the gas tank and the new tail, and i think letting it take that squared off pose would be really nice, it's definitely different and that's my favorite part about it, the contrast between the more flowing lines of the frame and the harder lines of the body work are nice, and personally that biek suits the hell out of my taste, i love me a mean machine...
So I'm by no means a computer pro, but this is just a quick microsoft paint drawing, just showing some seat lines that would compliment the shape ...psuedo cafe type racer thing, who cares i think it's gonna be sick, my vote goes to cool...
The rear view one has a brown square on top, thats not a skidmark ; ) it's just meant to represent maybe a strap coming back from the leather on the seat, also i thought having the seat leather have a rivet style attachment would be gnarly, so from the side thats what those goofy elipse shapes are...
With the tire well i think a slight cut for the tire, combined with a simple rolled edge would be nice, a subtle nod to the shape of the wheel, then have the tail light inset a bit with a small conical shape over it, like a french style lip, rolled outward..
most of this is made up a few simple bends, and as far as the leather I'm assuming you got someone for that, from what i remember from seeing the whole bike, i think it'd be cool to run the bottom part of the seat pan all the way up to the tank, it'd fit the shape in a nice way, but either way i think it's great man!
for something anywhere along these lines you'd need a good support for your ass, I'd either use tube along the bottom, even just as a simple brace, or you could mount some flush mount shock type things, air or spring underneath the entire piece,
just another note, if you wanted to you could also use that whole thing as a spot for a battery, or some switches, or even a small storage spot,
not this shock itself, but something like it, it can mount on just two tabs, and it'll make for a nice ride..
I like the idea, but it still isn't lining up in my head, so I'm looking forward to future pics. I Will definetly be following this one. Keep on choppin'!
T, don't be overwhelmed just go for it. The cautious road never produces anything worthwhile.
I've seen a sporty shell shortened and cut at the rear so it sits lower before, almost the way the Hide Moto has the tail sitting on their beautiful ironhead.
I finally welded my tail shell to the seat frame. Upholstery is soon to come, but here's an older pic.
There was a fella on here, from the West Coast (I think) selling an XS650 with the same idea. If I can find the pics I posted on my blog I'll put them up. It's a killer idea!
HERE is a link to the blog post I did on it where there are some more pics.
NHMike...HOLY SHIT!!!! That is the closest that anyone has come to showing me my vision! Thanks for posting.
Oddly, I was thinking of you. I picked up a coffin tank and a reallllllllly funky rear fender for an Ironhead today that I am gonna fix and spritz. Whenever I see a coffin tank, it makes me think of you and your trials with your bike. Weird.
NHMike...HOLY SHIT!!!! That is the closest that anyone has come to showing me my vision! Thanks for posting.
Oddly, I was thinking of you. I picked up a coffin tank and a reallllllllly funky rear fender for an Ironhead today that I am gonna fix and spritz. Whenever I see a coffin tank, it makes me think of you and your trials with your bike. Weird.
C
No prob man, I can't wiat to see your finished product.
Probably because that fucker is gonna PUT me in a Coffin, hahahahaha The IH is actually doing pretty well. When I get home I'm going to drop it off at Righteous Cycle in NH to have them go throught the trans...I just don't trust myself enough and I don't want to be on the side of the road again!! hahaha
BTW, throw up a pic of the "Funky Rear Fender" I'd love to see it. I'm not running any on the IH this year.
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