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Post by framemaker on Dec 20, 2022 20:58:13 GMT 1
Hello Everyone! I just joined this forum a few days ago so I thought I'd post an introduction. My name is Julian, but I use FrameMaker as my screen name. As you may have guessed, I like to build frame. Motorcycle frames especially for 2-strokes! A few weeks ago I purchased an unfinished Tigcraft RZ350 YPVS project. I decided to search to see if there were any other RZ350 Tigcrafts in existence and I came across AlanKelly's Tigcraft project. In a few days I'll probably start a thread with details on my Tigcraft project. A little about myself... as mentioned I've been building custom motorcycles for over 30 years. I do this mostly as a hobby, but I did attempt a business but that didn't go so well. I have a fascination for both 2-strokes and experimental suspension. I like to think of myself as wearing two different hats. One hat is that of a scientist, or more a mad scientist. When wearing this hat I like to be a little crazy and try new concepts. Then at other times I wear the hat of an engineer and try to apply known practice to my builds. The first bike project I completed was mostly a crazy experimental prototype. It was conceived over 30 years ago and has received lots of attention in the press. Perhaps many of you have seen it before.  20150501_202647 by andbike, on Flickr (Note: I'm note sure how to post photos onto this forum, so I'm going to post this and see what happens. Then will continue with my intro in my next post) ![]() |
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Post by veg on Dec 20, 2022 21:04:39 GMT 1
Firstly welcome in, there are a few yanks and ex pats on here. Secondly there are a few of us into alternative suspension (well mainly me). Love my tesi, my vyrus, elf’s, hossacks and anything unusual. Great fan of Tony foale.
What frames do you build? Are you a champion type frame builder?
Enjoy the forum and we love pics and build threads. 👍
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Post by framemaker on Dec 20, 2022 21:11:58 GMT 1
Looks like the photo is working, so I'll post a few more. In the years following that first big project I decided see if I could build and sell my frames. I started a business I called A-N-D Vehicle. The first (and only) product I offered was a modern frame kit that would accept Kawasaki EX500 engines. I promise these will be the only 4-strokes I'll post, however later I would build 2-stroke projects based on the learnings from this project. So, I'll post a few photos for reference purposes. These were designed and built while wearing my engineer's hat. So, noting odd or experimental. Just good sound engineering practice to build the best performing frame kits to the best of my abilities.  mol by andbike, on Flickr  DSCN0090 by andbike, on Flickr  DSCN1220 by andbike, on Flickr  AK-1 race_2 by andbike, on Flickr These bikes were a failure as business, but extremely successful on the race track. My team (three riders over two years) would win countless races in the 500cc Twins class and a class championship in 2002. ________________________ My intro will be continued, and I promise to post more 2-stroke projects. Julian |
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Post by framemaker on Dec 20, 2022 21:18:06 GMT 1
Firstly welcome in, there are a few yanks and ex pats on here. Secondly there are a few of us into alternative suspension (well mainly me). Love my tesi, my vyrus, elf’s, hossacks and anything unusual. Great fan of Tony foale. What frames do you build? Are you a champion type frame builder? Enjoy the forum and we love pics and build threads. 👍 Thanks for the warm welcome! Yes, I am also a huge fan of all the bikes you've mentioned. I am also a fan of Tony Foale and have had the opportunity to illustrate a 3-wheeler project for him (although it never when past the concept drawing phase). I'll be posting more of my projects which will show some of my custom frames and some odd suspension experiments. Stay tuned... |
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Post by rigga on Dec 20, 2022 21:26:41 GMT 1
Welcome to the forum.
Looking forward to your pictures and stories, really like specials, and especially how they came to being.
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Post by veg on Dec 20, 2022 21:33:52 GMT 1
Julian those frames are feckin awesome. They’d have been great for the kwak 600 twin esp for the IoM.
Tony helped me with my mechanical anti dive design for my Lc top bloke. Took time out to reply to questions etc.
Looking forward to seeing more. 👍
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Post by muttsnuts on Dec 20, 2022 21:59:54 GMT 1
welcome in, some special builds there for sure, frame building, a whole field of its own.......
You'll fit right in here, plenty of lunatics in here who build allsorts, I've been known to build the "odd" thing or 2 in my time, these days I am too busy fixing everybody elses bikes, really should get back to building my own
looking forward to seeing your builds etc
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Post by tacky1 on Dec 20, 2022 22:49:09 GMT 1
Hey Julian. Welcome to the forum. I know you through a mutual friend. Ken out in Livermore with the RZ350 collection and his one off RZ500. I’m in pacifica. 👍
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Post by dusty350 on Dec 20, 2022 23:19:44 GMT 1
Hi Welcome to the forum  The Rz is very familiar to most of us I reckon. Totally "out there" !! Enjoy  Dusty |
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Post by arrdy350 on Dec 20, 2022 23:46:55 GMT 1
Welcome to the forum 👍
Amazing specials and frames 😎😀
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Post by JonW on Dec 21, 2022 0:34:00 GMT 1
Welcome in Julian, great to see you posting here!
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Post by framemaker on Dec 21, 2022 3:13:30 GMT 1
Thanks again for the nice welcome comments. Much appreciated! tacky1 I have seen a few of your posts on other forums and Ken has mentioned you a few times. I should probably make the short drive to visit and see your awesome bikes. |
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Post by framemaker on Dec 21, 2022 4:12:59 GMT 1
Moving on with my into... Around the same time I built the EX500 based race bikes I owned an RZ500. It was my ultimate dream bike! However, I ran into rough financial times and had to offer it for sale. The new owner saw my race bikes and asked if I could do something with his (no longer mine) RZ500. We originally discussed a hybrid project using an R6 chassis. I ultimately talked him out of going that direction and I began the design prosses to create a new frame based on the geometry of my EX500 race bikes. The new owner in addition to purchasing my RZ500 also gave me a large down payment to start the re-frame project. I now had some money in my pocket. As luck would have it, a good friend offered to sell me his RZ500 which I accepted. Fast forward about 6 months and the guy who commissioned the frame project fell onto hard times and wasn't able to complete the project. But I had started building duplicate frames since I now had a 500 of my own again. The picture below is how the project ended. Since then the only progress I've made was to have my friend Brian Turfrey build two sets of pipes specific to the chassis. And I also began experimenting with an Aprilia RSV swingarm which I really like.  AY-1 by andbike, on Flick  DSCN9840 by andbike, on Flickr  DSCN9837 by andbike, on Flickr In the years following these large projects I took some time off and helped a few friends with their moto projects. I also got into BMX racing for a few years. It was a blast! I then began hearing about a local event called the Dirtbag Challenge. It started as bar bet between friends and soon turned into a huge moto event in San Francisco. The rules are very simple: build a custom motorcycle for under $1000 and do it in less than 30 days. This was appealing to me because I could build something fun without spending a fortune and without the project going on for years. In the early years of the event, a 100 mile ride would need to be completed to qualify for entry into the show. In later years the rules changed to include a $2000 budget, 60 day build window and the rides became 3-day camping trips of up to 500 miles. Over the years I've built eight bikes for the DBC. Five have been 2-strokes. This event also allowed me to put on my mad scientist hat and try some VERY odd things with motorcycles. Here are a few photos. I'll include one 4 stroke for Veg since he mentioned liking odd suspension. This my first 2-stroke DBC build... 77 RD400, with raked frame and stretched swingarm, and leading link fork. People either love or hate this bike...  CHOPPRD on revere by andbike, on Flickr This one is for Veg. Its a Ducati M750 with a custom frame, swingarm, and girder front-end.  monster pic BW by andbike, on Flickr When the rules increased to $2000 budget, I was able to build using a RZ350 frame that had been donated, and a Banshee engine. Of course, I added my own mad scientist bits!  20190901_070725 by andbike, on Flickr The next DBC bike I would build is actually a prototype bike to test the geometry for a larger ongoing project. It has a RZ350YPVS engine in a custom frame. Geometry is again based of my EX500 race bikes. The handling, even when loaded with camping gear is amazing! After the DBC I removed the utility rack and added a better looking race tail and nicer expansion chambers.  20201023_085432 by andbike, on Flickr  20220417_163006 by andbike, on Flickr This year I again used an RZ350 frame, but installed a CR250 engine that had been given to me. This bike isn't 100% finished. Although it does run, it didn't make the DBC ride (long story) but did win an award anyway. It should be very fun when finally finished.  20221002_181820 by andbike, on Flickr __________________________________ As mentioned, the prototype bike with RZ350 engine and custom frame is part of a larger ongoing project. I'll post more about that project in the near future. I will also post a thread for my Tigcraft project. I hope that everyone likes what I'm building. I know some of it is a bit odd, but sometimes I just want to have fun and try new things without approval from anyone. Cheers! |
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Post by framemaker on Dec 21, 2022 4:21:22 GMT 1
I thought I'd also post this photo to show that the crazy forkless bike that I began my intro with is actually very capable on a race track! It would be several years later that lights would be added and it would be re-painted in Yamaha YPVS livery colors.  FFE/RZ350 Thunderhill Raceway by andbike, on Flickr |
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Post by pdxjim on Dec 21, 2022 8:06:30 GMT 1
Awesome stuff, and welcome in from a few hours north of you. 👍
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Post by zig on Dec 21, 2022 8:33:58 GMT 1
welcome aboard
some interesting work right their with the frame work
ZiG
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Post by dusty350 on Dec 21, 2022 8:57:53 GMT 1
Great to see some really different ideas, and some true "whackyness" too  We generally like all sorts of builds on here, from "standard to batshit" and everything in between . Keep the pics coming - we love pics on here Dusty |
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Post by veg on Dec 21, 2022 9:29:45 GMT 1
Totally into these, love your thought process. Such a shame that other really than bmw we’ve followed the same industry wide approach to front end suspension. Bmw really just copied other designs.
Huge amounts of respect. Have you ever heard of Malcolm newell and his quasar? He was a mates father in law spent fair few hours in his workshop discussing alternative front ends . Sadly died at a young age.
Keep up the inspiring work 👍
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Post by botty on Dec 21, 2022 12:24:51 GMT 1
Welcome aboard.
Some great work right there.
Thanks for taking the time to show us 👌👌
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Post by tony2stroke on Dec 21, 2022 16:16:46 GMT 1
I love your work! Superb!!!!!!!!!  |
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Post by andy748 on Dec 21, 2022 16:22:01 GMT 1
Welcome in Julian, some impressive skills there. Andy.
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