featherbed frame build

[PaulL]

Hi Billyfly,
I am new here and your featherbed is just what I want to build.
I could buy one but not for £1700.
Could you send me some measurements for it there is none of any sense on the internet. I know this is a big ask.
I love the whole tread, you are a craftman without question.
Thanks for any help.
Paull

[swooshdave]

Originally Posted by PaulL

Hi Billyfly,
I am new here and your featherbed is just what I want to build.
I could buy one but not for £1700.
Could you send me some measurements for it there is none of any sense on the internet. I know this is a big ask.
I love the whole tread, you are a craftman without question.
Thanks for any help.
Paull

It's not terribly hard to find a featherbed in the UK, from what I've heard. Nortons weren't really popular in the States prior to the Commando, so the early stuff is more difficult to find here. That being said knowing the right people scored me a couple featherbeds to take measurements from.

[bobscogin]

Originally Posted by swooshdave

That being said knowing the right people scored me a couple featherbeds to take measurements from.

That's a good start. Do you have dimensioned drawings of the other views?

Bob

[swooshdave]

Originally Posted by bobscogin

That's a good start. Do you have dimensioned drawings of the other views?

Bob

http://www.jockeyjournal.com/forum/s...6&postcount=29

[bobscogin]

Excellent. Saved.

Bob

[ManxRacer]

I would caveat that the featherbed frames varied a great deal. The Manx frames more-so. A friend of mine owned approximately one dozen Manx and Atlas frames. He measured their dimensions and found great variations in some areas. Obviously the critical dimensions, such as the engine plate mounts, are the same others are not.

The radius rates for bends were considerably different too. Needless to say the Manx, wideline and slimline frames vary considerably by design and through the years they changed the subframe design. The good news is that if you get the general dimensions right and the critical dimensions right, your frame can't go wrong in terms of original dimensions!

[PaulL]

Hi All,
There are many featherbed frames in the UK, but there is nothing like building your own. Its a test of skill and a pleasure.
I have looked at a lot of pictures on the net and most of the frames do vary in radii size and the like.
I would like to know the width of the front and rear downtubes and swing arm width at the swing arm plates.
I will post the build for others if you would like but I am using a jap cb 650 lump.
Money is always a problem, so I tend to try and build everything including the tools to do it, like my english wheel and plenishing hammer.
Thank for the replies.
This site is cool
Paul

[billyfly]

even with a computer based measuring farro arm this frame is difficult..i had a 66 atlas frame i borrowed to do the ones i am making...it had 6.5 inch center-line radius main frame and 3 in radius back loop...the hard part is the small kink right next to the 6.5 inch radius in rear part of the slimline...i spent 6 months developing it...

[PaulL]

Hi Billyfly,
I was going to try and do an 8" bend in the top rail but with a 4.5" die, it is possible but not a perfect curve. Just going to have a play and scrap some tube trying.
The kink is difficult right next to the top curve but i have a plan to do it no my bender.
This for me is just an experiment, so scraping some tube is aways going to happen.
Thanks
Paull

[billyfly]

Originally Posted by PaulL

Hi Billyfly,
I was going to try and do an 8" bend in the top rail but with a 4.5" die, it is possible but not a perfect curve. Just going to have a play and scrap some tube trying.
The kink is difficult right next to the top curve but i have a plan to do it no my bender.
This for me is just an experiment, so scraping some tube is aways going to happen.
Thanks
Paull

sounds good ....good luck...post some pics!

[billyfly]

tank strap done..leather under aluminum

[crawler07]

tank strap looks great! Is their any way you could post some close up pics of how it attaches to the front and rear??

[billyfly]

Originally Posted by crawler07

tank strap looks great! Is their any way you could post some close up pics of how it attaches to the front and rear??

thanx..crawler....i'll get some close ups today....

[billyfly]

close ups

[billyfly]

rear fender fit...( i need a real camera)

[Swan]

Nice work, but yes, you need a real camera.

[kickstarts]

Or a tripod.

[billyfly]

Originally Posted by jonnybravo

think a Suzuki GS 1100 swingarm would work in thaT FRAME ???

the back upright tubes have 7.5 inches in between....the swing axle plates can be put where you need apart..pic with tape measure i could tell you

[billyfly]

exhaust done on left

[JasonMcElroy]

Did I see you carrying one of those frames at Oley on Saturday? If so, looks great.

Jason