The OCMD-afflicted never sleep....
 

Inspired by this:
http://cdn.mkimg.carview.co.jp/minka...t=29a8f322fffa

So, what is it? you ask. It's a frame brace developed by the Japanese high performance firm HARC-Pro. It goes where the lower subframe mounts to the frame and acts to reinforce the frame.

Now then, presenting the "mikstr-ized" version:
http://i784.photobucket.com/albums/y...psofcci4xr.jpg
http://i784.photobucket.com/albums/y...ps09vpczu4.jpg
(NB: Disregard the HRC sticker, it's on there as I have a stock of them.... need to use them somewhere, lol)

Will try it and see if/how it affects the bike.

Will keep you posted (of course, have to wait for bike to get fixed and be back on the road, which should be in a couple weeks, at least I hope)

P.S. A special thank you to Jack Flash for his help in getting it welded and entertaining my bottomless well of OCMD ideas, lol

So, you used some lowly form of metal to fabricate this?

And you're putting this on your bike?

What's wrong with this picture?

Cool! This won't hit the shock?

I used a section of aluminum tubing for the main section (20mm OD, 10mm ID), then mated it to two section of 35mm long (19mm OD) M10 threaded collars. These are spaced apart by small wedged of cut Al tubing (25mm OD, 20mm ID).... all welded up.

as for hitting the shock, the answer is no (the small wedges added to guarantee sufficient clearance). The bolts are black Ti.....

Funny, whenever I fabricate something or add my touch to something, my wife and I say it's been "Matinized" :p

It will be pretty cool to find out if this works.

I remember those...... lol they were too over priced to ever pick one up to see how it worked so it will be interesting to hear your views on it http://www.vtr1000.org/phpBB3/images...on_thumbup.gif

Anyone ever gotten Roger Ditchfield's opinion on these? I've never seen them before! Sounds like a neat idea.

How much for a couple HRC stickers :):):)

James

I'd love any drawings and your thoughts, if you like it I may make one

I have no drawings, sorry; this is the veritable definition of homemade.... The only missing element (from material specs above) I can share is the spacing of the two threaded collars, which is 224 mm outside end to outside end.

The addition of the HRC sticker ought to be worth another 5km/hr top speed at least!

I am humbled by your fabrication skills!

Here's my best effort (a prop for the front of the tank during service)! An HRC sticker would also improve the performance.
Attachment 22026

Nice job on the prop (not being cheeky). As for my fab skills, I do what I can with what little tools and knowledge I have...

Lol

This isn't a prop-rod thread. We had one of those about a year ago. This is a thread to give Micky shit for bolting something not made of carbon fiber on his bike and, so far, I'm the only one on topic. Come on people.

Just found this out about HARC-Pro: they are a mechanics school run by Honda,and also make some HRC kit parts-basic stays etc,but are famous mainly for engine work

interesting.....

guess I was asleep at the wheel, lol Tell you what, if this works as advertised, we can have a batch of carbon ones made up..... :)

thanks for getting me back on course Steve..... he he

Dibs.

Sorry Steve, I'm new here. Will try harder in future.:spank:

I'll just go back to refining my HRC prop then (and being made of wood, it is a natural form of carbon fibre already).

I want that carbon Doohickey. Not sure what it is, or what it does, but as long as Micky wants it, so do I.

Dear God... what have I created? lol

Let me help you with the refining. Set over at 260*C and process for an hour and a half.
Remove your new carbon prop stick, less the fibers of course.

Hahaha

That will net you a whole pile of carbon! :)

The prop rod thread was supposed to be serious.... Sigh... :(


James

I though our frames were supposed to flex!

I read some info on here by Jscobey about it and If I recall the idea was poo pooed.

Not being negative, just curious.

Mike,

Let us know what happens when you get to try it please.

I can't help wondering what effect it would have on the suspension with the frame flexing less, still interested though.

It's a shame that you don't have any drawings so that we could all get one made if they are any good.

It installs between the subframe, where the lower part of the subframe mounts to the frame. So, you just need two measurements. Measurement between the subframe and a measurement for the offset, so it doesn't hit the shock. Super simple to fabricate. Looks like he used 5/8" or 3/4" tube.

It looks to me like he used a section of aluminum tubing for the main section (20mm OD, 10mm ID), then mated it to two section of 35mm long (19mm OD) M10 threaded collars. Then it looks like these are spaced apart by small wedge of cut Al tubing (25mm OD, 20mm ID).... all welded up.

But, I'm just guessing.

good guess! However, you forgot the part about the end-to-end measurement being 224 mm....... Of course, one can be forgiven after such an accurate guess :)

While yours is obviously 224mm, my thinking was that this measurement may vary a bit frame to frame, so I didn't want to give out any misinformation for anyone attempting to fabricate this doohicky, thus left it out of my guess.

gotcha... ever the thoughtful one......

Anybody else thinking a pair of cut down MTB handlebars would do the same job?

What are MTB handle bars?

Please excuse my ignorance.

On another note I can't help thinking that this brace would also have a certain amount of flex that may be compatible with the frame flex especially with side loads on the frame with cornering.

I for one enjoy the fact that the frame flexes on the VTR when pushing on and enjoy the feel. Sort of like feedback that let's you know that you are pushing the boundaries and it is time to back off.

Some of the later bikes that I have ridden do not have this feel and can catch you out if you are not on your game.

Still interested though as I think this brace would still help to retain the feedback, but step it up a notch or two.

If anyone gets around to fitting this and experiencing it before Mike, please let us know your thoughts.

I am almost certain that there are a few candidates on here that will try it soon.