[abstruse1]

I'm new to the RE world but have been riding and modding bikes for ~50 yrs.  Also, I have a machine shop, so can build most things I have the time for.

So my question: has anyone built a frame for a UCE RE, mostly from scratch?

I remember back in the '60s when Rickman et.al. offered frames.  Their claims were lightness and rigidity.

I don't know how much the UCE frames weigh, but I'm guessing they're low grade steel and that a frame could be made stiffer and lighter from CrMo steel, TIG welded and stress relieved.  How much weight could be saved, I dunno.

So -- anyone do this?  Or anyone know of good, light frames that can be bought for the UCE engines?

Thanx, guys!

[ace.cafe]

The frame for the new Continental GT UCE Cafe Racer, designed by Harris Engineering in the UK, might be a good start.

I would think that the few pounds of potential weight-saving could be much more easily accomplished by deleting or changing some of the more overweight bolt-on things on the bike, or even losing a couple pounds on a diet.
The other reasons for designing another frame, such as fitting other alternative/modified major systems which do not fit the existing frame well might be more compelling.

[gashousegorilla]

I'm new to the RE world but have been riding and modding bikes for ~50 yrs.  Also, I have a machine shop, so can build most things I have the time for.

So my question: has anyone built a frame for a UCE RE, mostly from scratch?

I remember back in the '60s when Rickman et.al. offered frames.  Their claims were lightness and rigidity.

I don't know how much the UCE frames weigh, but I'm guessing they're low grade steel and that a frame could be made stiffer and lighter from CrMo steel, TIG welded and stress relieved.  How much weight could be saved, I dunno.

So -- anyone do this?  Or anyone know of good, light frames that can be bought for the UCE engines?

Thanx, guys!

  No I don't.... But if you did I might be interested at some point

http://www.nortonownersclub.org/noc-chat/technical2-heavy-twins-forum/325016141/746591231/SLIMLINE.jpg


  Or this gentleman in the UK may know a thing or two......

http://www.webring.org/l/rd?ring=triumphmotorcycl;id=2;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Edresda%2Eco%2Euk%2Fljk%2Easp


  Or in the states.........

http://www.framecrafters.net/index.php

[ScooterBob]

You gotta see Jim Pettiti at Raceway Cycles .... Rumor has it that he's making a Trackmaster-alike CrMo frame for the Enfields that would easily adapt to the UCE bikes. Jim's no bullshitter, either - he's been building, racing and winning as long as some purveyors of parts have been alive. BTW - I gotta give the nod to him for lettin' me pick his brain on cam grinding .... I think his advice and vast knowledge helped out a lot whilst carving out the cams for the Gashouse Gorilla's little project!

[gashousegorilla]

 

You gotta see Jim Pettiti at Raceway Cycles .... Rumor has it that he's making a Trackmaster-alike CrMo frame for the Enfields that would easily adapt to the UCE bikes. Jim's no bullshitter, either - he's been building, racing and winning as long as some purveyors of parts have been alive. BTW - I gotta give the nod to him for lettin' me pick his brain on cam grinding .... I think his advice and vast knowledge helped out a lot whilst carving out the cams for the Gashouse Gorilla's little project!

 If they're Nickel plated I'm in !     Kudo's to Jim as well !  Amazing transformation of the bike......

[AgentX]

Trackmaster-alike CrMo frame for the Enfields

wait what?

[mattsz]

☝  One of my all-time favorite posts...   

[woodsman]

 many frames are available . http://www.rickman-motorcycles.com/
Frame Kits
(made from the original New Milton masters)
Frame Kits: Mk III, Mk IIIA, Mk IV, Petite, Micro Light New Mk III Frame Kits for:
Ariel, BSA, B40's, B50's, Bultaco, Gold Star, Hedlund, Husquvana, JAP, Jawa, Matchless, Montessa, Norton, Royal Enfield, Triumph Units & Pre Units with BSA or AMC gearboxes, Victors, Villers, Velocette, Yamaha 650 (suitable for Flat Track TT)
http://www.hitchcocksmotorcycles.com/home

here is the red marley 612 hill climber / scrambler they make and sell a frame http://www.hitchcocksmotorcycles.com/news/25374/Hitchcocks_1959_Bullet_612_Scrambler_at_Red_Marley_Hill_Climb_2012

[gashousegorilla]

wait what?

 4130 Chromoly steel tubing frame. Liter, stronger .  Like this trackmaster frame on a BSA......

http://www.burtonbikebits.net/BSA%20A70%20Trackmaster.jpg

 Or...

http://trackmasterracingframes.com/

[Arizoni]

By adding less than 1 percent, Chrome, Molybdenum and Manganese to plain carbon steel its strength after it is heat treated is over 3 times stronger than the plain carbon steel that is usually used to make frames.

That allows the builder to use tubing that has thinner walls.
 If the chromoly tubing wall is half as thick as the carbon steel it replaces, it will weigh half as much and still be much stronger than the plain carbon steel tubing.

Of course, all this goodness comes with a higher price.

[AgentX]

4130 Chromoly steel tubing frame. Liter, stronger .  Like this trackmaster frame on a BSA......

http://www.burtonbikebits.net/BSA%20A70%20Trackmaster.jpg

 Or...

http://trackmasterracingframes.com/

Yes, yes.  As in "wait, what, wherethehelldoigetone?!"

And I want mine in nickel, too.



Also:  Hitchcock option, unavailable online but likely on request:  http://www.hitchcocksmotorcycles.com/page.php?currentpageref=6858

[gashousegorilla]

 Well, I believe Scooterbob mentioned where you might get one earlier.  From this knowledgeable gentleman. who appears to have been a RE dealer since 1953......

  http://www.racewayservicespaa.com/contact--location.html

[Ducati Scotty]

Hitchcocks offers a scrambler frame for 1350 pounds.  Frame, swingarm, and a few other bits.  I suspect it wouldn't be too hard to fit it to a UCE motor.

I agree with Ace though, you could shed a lot of weight cheaply by hacking and slashing a bunch of the stock sheet metal and such.  If you're looking to seriously upgrade the power and have a chassis to match then a new frame makes sense.

Scott

[AgentX]

Well, I believe Scooterbob mentioned where you might get one earlier.  From this knowledgeable gentleman. who appears to have been a RE dealer since 1953......

  http://www.racewayservicespaa.com/contact--location.html

Yep, searched him out.  Had just been expressing a lot of shock and happy surprise at seeing mention of something I had dreamed about but didn't think would exist aside from a one-off job.

[woodsman]

two styles of chaney frames this site is flat trackers in chrome moly http://www.cheneyengineering.com/index.shtml
and this site is motocross / trials / enduro
http://www.cheneyracing.co.uk/