Subframe Progress

Now that I've got the Ducati project mostly wrapped up I'm making progress on my welding skills and my Virago subframe. Last night I had some time to lay out the two horizontal tubes that will basically be where the rider will sit. I had to cut and grind down a plate to be welded to the front of the tubes. That plate will then share the same bolt as the front of the rear shock... front of the rear, how confusing can the English language get.

Anywho, I doubt they teach you these sweet guestimating and Jerry-rigging skills in welding school. Don't hate, it will be functional.

The next weld that happens will have to be ones that really count. I need them to look halfway decent because they'll be showing at all times. I think I'll be taking the subframe down to Earl's to get him to work some magic. Somehow he has to make up for my guestimating and close this gap between the members, I think he's up for it.

Also, I once read a story about one of the builds the guys at Classified Moto did, I think it was the bike for the Star Trek girl, or whoever she is. Anywho, apparently their exhaust guy is a precision machinist, and when it got time to line up the can they were using, he called them and asked if he should line the can up with the taillight or the rear wheel. Their response was, split the difference. Bikes don't have to be perfectly built, but they can be perfectly built for an individual. These Viragos come with an offset rear wheel, and in addition to that I've discovered that the bolt holes in the backbone that support the subframe aren't completely square with the rear wheel or really anything. So, my whole build will be slightly "off-line," but I don't care, it's gonna rip.