[kmurphy]

so deleted my first post on this thread since i completely restarted. this is where im currently at today 6/13/08. onloy have about 4 more pieces to cut, notch, and weld on. then its time to make the jig so i can just make everything on a table to see if it fits and not have to crawl under a car on jackstands back and forth to check fitment. and also not tack weld the tubing together under the car. here she is, in her almost completed glory.

[stretch]

Pics of the cutoff shirt? Haha.

Good work on being able to fab up something like this in your garage. So you're going to make more?

The only thing I would suggest is avoiding bends where possible and instead try to use straight pipes and triangulation (the front bends could be angled straight pipe instead, like Carbing does). You'll get more strength that way, and it's less work too! The portion of the the subframe that you've done exists, I believe, for crash resistance. The front should be braced like a bumper, longitudinally, and I think the bends could compromise that.

It's the rear part (that you've yet to do) that will brace things like the A-arms, which is where lateral forces get transmitted through the chassis. That's where careful design and strength need be for a handling improvement.

I think these are good posts (and a good thread, if you want to read the entire thing):
NASIOC - View Single Post - let's talk aftermarket subframes
NASIOC - View Single Post - let's talk aftermarket subframes

Still, nice 100 degree garage project.

[kmurphy]

ya, ill probably make more once i get a jig set up and a final design. the bends will be fine, and i will add triangulation. I actually use to fab roll cages and do 4-link suspension, etc type stuff for 4wheeling so im no stranger to that kind of stuff. And with rollcages triangulation is key! I dont like the look of angled tubing like that, i have a hydraulic tube bender in the garage so i just put it in there and push a button till it bends to the degrees i want it so it isnt too much more work. but it should come out nicely. My next one should be a lot better with the 1" tubing, just need to go buy some tubing and a new 1" die for the bender since the smallest one i have is 1.25"

[stretch]

OMG, who has a hydraulic tube bender in their garage?! Crazy. Pics of that, too!

[kmurphy]

I figured someone might, it actually isnt that big. its just your average jd2 model bender that i converted to hydro since i hate pulling on a long bar and didnt want to drill holes in the concrete. So this is what it looks like, dont mind the messy garage as soon i start working **** seems to end up everywhere. Also pics of the welder, and table with the tube notcher setup on the corner. ill probably use the table as a jig.

[red5001]

my freind has the same bender. Works great and not to pricey.

[kmurphy]

thanks for the links, i am basically headed in that direction in my head from looking under the car, but with a different approach to the bracing in the middle. probably going to just put a x in the center to stiffen up that section.

yeah bender works great. I think i have about 1000 bucks in the whole setup. definitely a lot cheaper doing your own hydro conversion as most kits around close to 2k just for the hydrualic setup.

[MGizzle]

Nice tools man. Very nice.

[kmurphy]

thanks, tools are a great investment....well i started on the back half that was going to incorporate into the first half. but the 1.25" tubing i was using doesn't give me the clearence i need so im switching to 1" on monday and im going to totally redo the whole front part and do the back half as well. should have some pics up monday if i can get the whole thing done. also picked up a new 1" die for the bender.

[kmurphy]

so i thought by this time i would have had the new 1" piece all built by now, jig made and produced a couple for friends but my recent purchase has greatly reduced my time in the garage. but i finally took the morning to fab some pieces up. i have half of the front done and welded, and i have the rear pieces cut and notched. i just need to figure out placement of the middle pieces and weld it together. heres a pic of the new toy and front half of the subframe with the 1" tubing.

[wdb]

That's a nice looking piece. Any chance of making it work with the stock undertray, or will that have to be a tiewrap affair?

[red5001]

THe subframe is looking nice but that New toy looks like so much fun. I have been tempeted to get super moto type bike. Looks like a blast.

[kmurphy]

heres some updated pics from today. went on a ride early today and when i got back jacked the car up and started back on the subframe. here is where im at so far. i just need to connect the front and rear sections which im not sure how i want to do yet. then i also need to add 1 more piece on each side to extend the rear section, and then add some bracing for rigidity.

and as for the supermoto you should get one. ive had street bikes the last 3 years, 2 honda 600's and the last one was a 07 gsxr750 which was fun, but this thing hands down is the funnest thing to ride.

[kmurphy]

oh and on the undertray, i think im just going to throw the stock one away and make one out of sheet metal that connects all the way up to the front lip of the bumper. one i finish the subframe i'll notch out small sections and weld in some small diameter tubing where ill connect the undertray.

[kmurphy]

update on subframe on 1st post