GL 1100 Cut, weld, wrench then ride

[AstroWing]

Got some work done today on the AstroWing. Mounted the tank and seat. Got to do my favorite and least favorite bike build things. Grinding (I'm very good at this, but hate it) welding (love it but could do better)

[AstroWing]

Next, I will figure out how to fabricate and weld in some new tubes from the swing arm pivot area to up under the tank. I want these tubes to be on the same angle as the radiator down tubes and the rear shocks. So when you look from the side, the front forks and the seat support tubes are on matching angles and the radiator down tubes, the rear engine support tubes and rear shocks all have the same angle.

[Fred Camper]

Good progress.

[Greg]

I like the lines. What I can’t wrap my head around is what you will do with the center tube coming off the steering head that forms the back bone to all frames. You are going to install one .right? Otherwise,if you were to leave it as is , I don't see the frame as something I would whant to ride on.

[rainstromrider]

I like the lines. What I can’t wrap my head around is what you will do with the center tube coming off the steering head that forms the back bone to all frames. You are going to install one .right? Otherwise,if you were to leave it as is , I don't see the frame as something I would whant to ride on.

Looks to me like his twin rails running back take the place, all he might need to do is connect the upper stalk from the steering head to the area near the tank mounts? Great work Astro! I'm enjoying the frame work! What shielding gas u running on the mig?

[Greg]

I like the lines. What I can’t wrap my head around is what you will do with the center tube coming off the steering head that forms the back bone to all frames. You are going to install one .right? Otherwise,if you were to leave it as is , I don't see the frame as something I would whant to ride on.

Looks to me like his twin rails running back take the place, all he might need to do is connect the upper stalk from the steering head to the area near the tank mounts? Great work Astro! I'm enjoying the frame work! What shielding gas u running on the mig?

Exactly, to make it road worthy and safe. The twin rails are undersized and lack the support of the upper stalk from the steering head to where the rear part of the tank will mount, for the loads they will be expected to bear. He further weakened tha structual integrity of the frame by placing the undersized tubes too close together .IMO. Looks cool though.

[AstroWing]

Yes, I am planning a center back bone. I will add a crossmember under the tank right where the down tubes meet the fore - aft tubes. I had to wait to get those tubes in and on the angle ai want to finish the trianangle.

Got the tubes in this morning, crossmember and backbone next. Problem is the back bone will now hit the bottom of the tank because the crossmember is so far back. Several more hours of work, just to get the down tubes parallel. Oh well, if I liked the bike the way it was, I would have left it alone.

[AstroWing]

Didn't like that big ugly pet clock hanging down anyway.

[AstroWing]

Wanna see what's inside?

[AstroWing]

Just some light rust.

[AstroWing]

Pretty happy that I got most of the structure done. Now I have a few extra hours of work on the tank. Had I left those tubes in the stock location, my crossmember would have been way under the tank instead of right at the back of the tank. The stock tank would have worked, now, I will need to modify it quite a bit.

[AstroWing]

My plan is to make some strong motor mount brackets that will replace these stock ones. They will bolt in, from the stock engine bolt and angle reward, at the same angle of the forks. They should end up right about at the crossmember this should complete the triangle needed to keep the bike from sagging in the middle.

[AstroWing]

Up to a little while ago, I thought the tank was going to be the easy part.

[AstroWing]

Remember the name of this thread, well, I'm kinda back to step 1.

[Greg]

Pretty happy that I got most of the structure done. Now I have a few extra hours of work on the tank. Had I left those tubes in the stock location, my crossmember would have been way under the tank instead of right at the back of the tank. The stock tank would have worked, now, I will need to modify it quite a bit.

That's what I was hoping to see. Good Job.
As far as the tank goes? well, I can see now what you’re thinking was when you did the frame alterations. My suggestion is, to be flexible with your build. Personally I would look for a tank(plenty out there) that are deep enough on the underside to straddle the top tube and by attaching the round rubber wheels as the upfront tank attachments to the top tube, you can then re arrange the two side tubes to fit the bottom of the new tank, and still keep the pleasing lines without sacrificing the frames integrity . With little bending at the right places you can maintain the seat arrangement and the lines you want to follow for the overall build. Just a thought.