let me see your custom fab tail sections

are you going to just cover the entire wood/foam skeleton in fiberglass? i would suppose it would not react negatively considering you are just laying it on top of the wood and foam, or once complete with wood/foam skeleton, you can wrap in foil, saran wrap or somesort so that the fiberglass doesnt touch the skeleton.

 

My basic concept is the same as the wooden frame construction you've seen. After framing it will be filled with expanding foam shaped to final then glassed over. Any moisture from the foam was my concern with MDF. I have a bit so I'll test befor major work. Haven't decided whether I going to use regular fiber sheet or carbon. If I use carbon I'll leave parts of it exposed during painting.

 

Here is the new look and how I kept the design look sound but gained the ability to replace my tailight if need be. All that's left now is to add the remaining ribs, trim a few things and foam it in before glassing. I did have to change my design somewhat closer to the front to accomodate the seat I manufactured out of my old one, and to allow for wheel travel. Here are some pics.

On a side note I'm pretty proud of the section that houses the light. It's hard to tell but that part is self supporting without any glue and fits the light exactly.

 

I've done some work with kevlar and it's much much nicer to work with than fiberglass. Just as another option.

 

I thought about that. Do you know where to get the fabric and what kind of resin did you use?

 

It was several years ago but I'll try to find the info.

 

Fiberglass, Carbon Fiber - Fibre Glast Developments Corp.

For all your composite fabrication needs.

 

yes, that's the place I got the kevlar from
They have the resin etc. too...

 

Custom Tail Piece

If it was me, I would find a tail I like (I know, I'm easy), such as the RC51, CBR600RR, so forth, and slide it into position and fab the supports out of angle AL and drill and bolt. Its how I'm fitting the RC211V tail from Tyga on my 97 VFR frame. Its a little tight (sic), but will give sufficiently to allow the supports room. Gas tank in place and mount and mark and fab.

Fabbing is nice, but definitely NOT for the amateur.

Larry

 

I just couldn't let go of coming up with my own idea. I'm done with rib cage. Does anyone have any comments on the pics before I foam it in? I'll always take any constuctive critisism on form or function. Let me know. I'm having trouble with the pics not uploading. I'll try again little later.

 

vernk does work - Custom Fighters - Streetfighter Motorcycle Forum

 

can't wait to see more progress. i'd love to be better at woodworking. nice work so far.

 

Started my cbr600rr tail section swap so i will post some pics of the progress.

 

Found a way to finally get the pics up. Started a photobucket of just this project. Looking at it on the bike I may change the shape and width a little. I'm actually having a problem with the foam I'm using. I figured it would expand out of the top or bottom but instead it firms up on the outside then expands pushing ribs out of wack. I might try covering with a cotton fabric and using resin to harden then using body filler to get final shape and texture before using carbon fiber or kevlar to give outershell. Might turn out lighter that way. Rib cage and light were only 3.2 pounds without foam. Check it out supertex75 - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

 

VERNK I don't agree with most of the folks on that forum. I believe the tail is too upright; for my taste anyway. Its like a deer heard a noise turned tail, and ran. besides that congrats on the new welding skills, still want to save up for a rig myself, so I can do some crazy projects!

 

Think I figured it out.

 

Tail Fab

After looking at your work I have an idea.

Why don't you take some thin wood (balsa, maple, etc) and lay small strips down the outside like your building a boat. When complete, fill in the seams with bonda and smooth. Now you have your buck.

Take some strips and make breaks on the edges. Make a fiberglass shell to the edges. Now you have the mold.

Bolt the mold together and lay your fiberglass. Let set up. Now you have the raw tail. A surface coat or two after sanding and your ready to spray paint.

Fab a sub frame and slip on and bolt in and add lights.

Good work.

Larry

 

to anyone else interested, I came across a wire foam cutter at Michael's for like 7 bucks. Best and easiest way to cut foam cleanly.

 

thanks...?:unsure:

 

I wasn't doggin ya. I think it looks great, just a little high. the end results gonna look great!