Unofficial Royal Enfield Community Forum

Royal Enfield Motorcycles => Bullet with the UCE engine => Topic started by: doomed1 on February 11, 2009, 03:47:09 pm

Title: Electra frame for the G5?
Post by: doomed1 on February 11, 2009, 03:47:09 pm
i was curious if it was the Electra frame going on the G5 and i would have to get those racks for the saddlebags. if so, that would kind of bite...
Title: Re: Electra frame for the G5?
Post by: ace.cafe on February 11, 2009, 04:05:43 pm
Why?
Does the C5 not require saddlebag brackets?
I thought they all required them, unless you're using soft-side "throw-overs".
And even then, the "throw-overs" will wear the powder coating off your fender carrier braces in about 2 rides with them on there.
Title: Re: Electra frame for the G5?
Post by: Kruiser on February 11, 2009, 06:59:18 pm
It looks like you could/would mount saddlebags on the fender support frame of the C5 and the classic.  The Electra has a different fender support, that requires additional mounting brackets to
mount the saddle bags to.

Why?
Does the C5 not require saddlebag brackets?
I thought they all required them, unless you're using soft-side "throw-overs".
And even then, the "throw-overs" will wear the powder coating off your fender carrier braces in about 2 rides with them on there.
Title: Re: Electra frame for the G5?
Post by: ace.cafe on February 11, 2009, 07:20:37 pm
I see what you are referring to now.

However, as an owner of a Classic who has put saddlebags on that fender support frame, I can tell you that the powder coat finish on the part of that frame strut that goes to support the tail of the rear fender, will rub off in short order from the saddlebags.
Then it will rust.

If you plan on doing that, then put some protective covering over the fender support frame strut, or it will happen.

Voice of experience.
Title: Re: Electra frame for the G5?
Post by: Rick Sperko on February 11, 2009, 10:47:53 pm
Ace, how would you suggest protecting it? Some clear tubing split and wrapped could do it.
Title: Re: Electra frame for the G5?
Post by: ace.cafe on February 11, 2009, 11:07:30 pm
Ace, how would you suggest protecting it? Some clear tubing split and wrapped could do it.

I think that sounds like a good method, Rick.
The key is to do it ahead of installing the saddlebags, because once you've rubbed off the powder coating, it's gone. Then you can only touch it up with paint, which works ok, but it isn't as hard as the powder coating and rubs off even easier.
Title: Re: Electra frame for the G5?
Post by: Thumper on February 12, 2009, 12:30:44 pm
Using the Electra X frame (or still a newer one) negates the benefits of the many, many accessories that fit the Classic and its frame. Believe me, as the owner of an '06 Electra X I know. I don't call it a Classic-wannabe for nothing. I have spent countless hours and lots of $$$ adopting Classic accessories to fit my frame.

See http://members.verizon.net/allofusmorrows/Conversion.htm for my latest (last year) efforts.

Matt
Title: Re: Electra frame for the G5?
Post by: Cabo Cruz on February 12, 2009, 02:40:28 pm
Brother Matt, you have done a great job with your Classic Wannabe... very cool looking bike!
Title: Re: Electra frame for the G5?
Post by: PhilJ on February 13, 2009, 12:39:16 am
The chain is on the right side of the UCE bikes. Cannot be an Electra frame.
Title: Re: Electra frame for the G5?
Post by: Kevin Mahoney on February 13, 2009, 04:39:47 am
It is an Electra frame with a modified swing arm.
Title: Re: Electra frame for the G5?
Post by: PhilJ on February 13, 2009, 12:43:55 pm
That's kind of what I thought. But if the swing arm is modified, it is no longer an Electra frame. It now becomes an G5 frame.
Title: Re: Electra frame for the G5?
Post by: doomed1 on February 14, 2009, 08:12:26 am
It is an Electra frame with a modified swing arm.
oh... this complicates things...
Title: Re: Electra frame for the G5?
Post by: Alaroyal on February 14, 2009, 01:27:34 pm
That's kind of what I thought. But if the swing arm is modified, it is no longer an Electra frame. It now becomes an G5 frame.

Not to play too much of a "Devils Advocate", and certainly  not to start a range war, but I guess that depends on the definition of a frame.  If that includes swingarm, then yes, it not an Electra frame, but a G5 frame.

Since the swingarm is a removable part, I tend to agree with Kevin's point of view, "it's an Electra frame with a modified swingarm".  If the two frames are identical except for  the swingarm, then I agree it's the same frame.  If it's the same frame with a different front fork it's still the same frame.

I guess the key question is, for the use of saddlebag brakets and other Electra frame mounted accessories, will they directly fit the G5?
Title: Re: Electra frame for the G5?
Post by: PhilJ on February 14, 2009, 04:25:10 pm
Yes, Alaroyal, I suppose excluding the swing arm, your right. I was thinking about a complete frame assembly.
Oh, no wars over idea discussions.
Title: Re: Electra frame for the G5?
Post by: Bullet Bill on February 14, 2009, 07:44:51 pm
Okay then, new question:  What is the C-5 frame going to be like?  Is that also an Electra frame, only further modified even than the G-5?  Is it all new?  Will there be panniers/saddlebags available for it soon?
Title: Re: Electra frame for the G5?
Post by: Alaroyal on February 14, 2009, 08:51:35 pm
Okay then, new question:  What is the C-5 frame going to be like?  Is that also an Electra frame, only further modified even than the G-5?  Is it all new?  Will there be panniers/saddlebags available for it soon?

That's a really good question, cause the Electra frame is kinda.... well, "ugly" over the rear wheel, without the standard seat, but the C5 doesn't appear to be that way.  Maybe the C5 is a "classic" frame, or an Electra frame with a different rear 1/4?
Title: Re: Electra frame for the G5?
Post by: doomed1 on February 15, 2009, 06:53:05 am
That's a really good question, cause the Electra frame is kinda.... well, "ugly" over the rear wheel, without the standard seat, but the C5 doesn't appear to be that way.  Maybe the C5 is a "classic" frame, or an Electra frame with a different rear 1/4?
the C5 frame is an all new one, that much i remember. i just don't savor the idea of getting brackets for the saddlebags, so now i have to look deeper into my options...
Title: Re: Electra frame for the G5?
Post by: fun2drum on February 22, 2009, 12:59:31 pm
My Electra has saddlebags and I didn't use any support brackets.  No problem with the bags getting into the wheel because the rear shocks are there.   
Title: Re: Electra frame for the G5?
Post by: Kevin Mahoney on February 23, 2009, 01:43:41 am
Let me confuse you further, then I say that the G-5 is an Electra frame, what I mean to say is that for all intents and purposes it is an Electra frame. For example, while we were fitting up an alternative exhaust we noticed that a tab that we used to use was no longer there. No big deal, but these are the type of changes we will find. Solo seats fit well, saddle bags etc.
Title: Re: Electra frame for the G5?
Post by: exiledcarper on February 23, 2009, 02:48:35 am
So it sounds like an alternative exhaust will be available on the G-5? the bike would definitely look a lot better with a shorty or classic style silencer.  Any other types going to be available for the c-5 too, other than the upswept one.
  Also, will we be able to junk the cat for a less restrictive and "roartier" (did I just make up a new word?) exhust system.  Seems like a relatively easy way to release a few more horses and bring the bikes up to a not unreasonable 30 something hp?
  Also strikes me that would make 70mph cruising much more attainable, with suitable gearing, of course.
  Spill the beans Kevin, can it be done?
Title: Re: Electra frame for the G5?
Post by: Kevin Mahoney on February 23, 2009, 02:52:56 am
This is America - we can do anything
Title: Re: Electra frame for the G5?
Post by: Alaroyal on February 23, 2009, 05:43:32 am
Since there's no 6 speed tranny, how about a lower gear set for the first three gears, kinda like the trails set with the lower 1st and 2nd,for the four speed trannys, so we could lower the first three, then put taller final gearing on it, which would put the first three right back where they were, and have a taller fourth and fifth for the highway.

Or maybe different primary gears to make the overall ratio overall taller that way instead of with the final drive?