Author Topic: Featherbed frame conversion (Read 10132 times)

ace.cafe · **on:** May 22, 2014, 10:04:18 pm

How does a brand new custom made featherbed(Manx) frame conversion for a Bullet sound to you?
One that can use your existing Bullet front end and wheel, and swing arm and rear wheel, so you can just transfer all your parts right on to it for lowest expense. And use any Manx tanks and seats. Engine mounting plates made to fit the Bullet engine.
Hand made in the USA. Competitively priced.

Does that sound pretty good to anyone?

I hope so, because we are already working out the details with a custom frame builder here in the US, and a prototype example is being built with an Ace Fireball engine. When it is complete, we will post some pics for you to look at.

Just a heads-up about some upcoming happenings for anyone interested in that kind of thing. Lots of cafe type parts and bodywork for the featherbed frames from many sources worldwide.
Wideline(early Manx) or slimline(late Manx)styles can be made.
AVL will also fit, and UCE will just need different engine mounting plates. Also possibilities for a custom variation for the Musket 1000 V-Twin too. With direct access to the frame builder, there are a lot of possibilities. So, anyone can play!

1 Thump · **Reply #1 on:** May 22, 2014, 11:14:26 pm

Hell yea !

DanB · **Reply #2 on:** May 23, 2014, 12:08:09 am

Quote

AVL will also fit

Yes!! AVL fireball and now this!? Thank you Ace!!

High On Octane · **Reply #3 on:** May 23, 2014, 12:58:07 am

Can I cram MY motor into one?

Because this does sound fantastic.

ace.cafe · **Reply #4 on:** May 23, 2014, 01:47:57 am

Quote from: High On Octane on May 23, 2014, 12:58:07 am

Can I cram MY motor into one? Because this does sound fantastic.

Yes, I believe it can.
Norton twins and Triumph twins were used in these frames all the time. Even Vincent v-twins went into them.

High On Octane · **Reply #5 on:** May 23, 2014, 02:01:38 am

Quote from: ace.cafe on May 23, 2014, 01:47:57 am

Yes, I believe it can.
Norton twins and Triumph twins were used in these frames all the time. Even Vincent v-twins went into them.

Whoot Whoot!!!!! I have to save some more money.

Blltrdr · **Reply #6 on:** May 23, 2014, 02:32:41 am

Usually one will hit the nail on the head. You have drove the FN nail through the board. Cool!

Ice · **Reply #7 on:** May 23, 2014, 02:45:20 am

CroMoly Trials frame ?

ace.cafe · **Reply #8 on:** May 23, 2014, 02:50:19 am

Quote from: Ice on May 23, 2014, 02:45:20 am

CroMoly Trials frame ?

This guy specializes in featherbeds, and can do them in mild steel tube or chrome-moly tube.
I suppose that other types of frames might be possible in a custom frame scenario. We'd have to discuss that with the frame builder.

noisymilk · **Reply #9 on:** May 23, 2014, 04:28:26 am

wishing I hadn't sold my Norton in a slimline now.

It went to a good home and all, but this is awesome news Ace. Very cool.

Bullet Whisperer · **Reply #10 on:** May 23, 2014, 09:44:00 am

Here are a couple of pictures that might be of interest. The first is an early one of our 500 racer, with shortened Manx type frame, followed by a later one of the same machine in its' last incarnation. Last is an early 500 Twin racer, with what might have been a purpose built, early example of the Featherbed frame and, possibly, pre-dating the version made for the Norton machines. Look closely and you can see several small differences to those used by Nortons, but also lots of similarities. Enfield engines can look and work well in these frames ...

High On Octane · **Reply #11 on:** May 23, 2014, 12:44:58 pm

BW = What type of front end/fork assembly are you using on that 500?

Scottie J

Bullet Whisperer · **Reply #12 on:** May 23, 2014, 02:27:56 pm

Quote from: High On Octane on May 23, 2014, 12:44:58 pm

BW = What type of front end/fork assembly are you using on that 500?

Scottie J

Hi Scottie,
It is a late Norton Commando type front end, with our own slab type alloy top yoke and in the first picture, taken just after the build, it has a double sided twin leading Grimeca drum brake. The later, fairly recent picture shows it again with Commando forks, but now using a [I think] Grimeca disc.
B.W.

Bulletbaz · **Reply #13 on:** May 23, 2014, 06:30:31 pm

What a great idea!
In case you are not aware (but you probably are!) there is a noticeable difference between the sub-frame geometry of a true Manx Norton frame and a road-going Featherbed that would considerably affect the overall appearance of the finished bike.
Notice that on a Manx, the top sub-frame rail attaches to the main cradle at a slightly lower point and is angled to give a pleasing slope to the seat (much preferable I think!), whereas on the roadster Featherbed, these rails were dead flat and didn't look so nice.
Just thought I’d mention it!

Hoosier Bullet · **Reply #14 on:** May 23, 2014, 08:32:59 pm

Quote from: ace.cafe on May 23, 2014, 01:47:57 am

Yes, I believe it can.
Norton twins and Triumph twins were used in these frames all the time. Even Vincent v-twins went into them.

Norfield. Norton featherbed frame + Royal Enfield Engine (usually a twin, but single would work too).

Witness: http://www.jockeyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=73801

ACE frame + 700 or 750 interceptor engine, + speed parts = !BADASS!

Rofomoto1 · **Reply #15 on:** May 28, 2014, 02:42:35 pm

Just some pics

Bulletbaz · **Reply #16 on:** May 28, 2014, 07:12:33 pm

Whaw! That looks the business - can't wait to see the finished build!

boggy · **Reply #17 on:** May 28, 2014, 07:35:58 pm

This sounds awesome, Ace.

Rofomoto1 · **Reply #18 on:** May 28, 2014, 07:43:14 pm

And another

ace.cafe · **Reply #19 on:** May 28, 2014, 09:35:15 pm

Cool!

High On Octane · **Reply #20 on:** May 28, 2014, 11:06:45 pm

Nice!

barenekd · **Reply #21 on:** May 29, 2014, 06:01:42 pm

Quote

Even Vincent v-twins went into them.

Even Sportster engines.
My old Norton/Matchless (Nortless)
Bare

ace.cafe · **Reply #22 on:** May 29, 2014, 06:29:15 pm

I love those alloy Sprint tanks on them!
I would like to have one set up like that, with one of the Super Fireball GP engines in it. Maybe I'll be able to do it.

High On Octane · **Reply #23 on:** May 29, 2014, 07:11:11 pm

Quote from: ace.cafe on May 29, 2014, 06:29:15 pm

I love those alloy Sprint tanks on them!
I would like to have one set up like that, with one of the Super Fireball GP engines in it. Maybe I'll be able to do it.

Hell yeah! That would be one sick Enfield!

Rofomoto1 · **Reply #24 on:** May 30, 2014, 05:25:42 am

That featherbed is getting a fireball engine the one in it is just a mock up one in there now

AgentX · **Reply #25 on:** June 09, 2014, 02:32:22 am

When I was looking at the possibility of a Musket (instead of the Fireball I am waiting to get in hand next week...), I emailed the guy fabbing the Norley featherbed frames. Guy said he hated Enfields and would never make a frame for one...eventually I got him to say he'd sell me a Harley frame and I could modify it to my needs. For over $3k.

I'd love to get one of these new frames for use with the 350 engine I now have sitting around...get a custom Ace hotrodding for it, make a manx-y little racer thing. Someday...