Motorcyles and Machinist

[RonHolly]

Any hobby machinist out there making cool motorcycle "stuff" or bling?  Show us your shop and useful items for our Valks!

My hobby shop:

[James III]

  Have a shop, very crowded, do all sorts of machine and other projects. Other than making my aux tank mounting, not made any great bike parts, mostly old machine parts, steam locomotives (7 1/2" gauge). Lot of small items, scale model parts, press parts, die cutting dies. No pic's, too embarrassed how unorganized it appears. Had to sell off a lot of machines when my commercial building lease ran out. Went from 10,000 sq ft to home with 1000 sq ft. Done quite a bit of sand and foam casting, built all but the lathe of the Dave Gingery series of projects and have yet to finish the milling machine. Built an oversize furnace for that which led into other projects. Also make small brass parts using photo etching. Lot of model building in the shop. At one time I did a lot of engine machine work and antique class mechanical work. Still do off site work, only as I want, mostly on large outdated printing or stamping equipment. The list is endless what you can make or fix.

James

[RonHolly]

Hi James!
Sounds like you have quite a bit of experience.  I'm strickly a beginner but haven't even done anything out in the shop for about a year.  When the moto bug bit I kinda put everything else on hold.  Also have a small milling machine.  Been doing quite a bit of gun smithing type work with my equipment.

[Grumpy]

No pics of the whole shop, but this is my Late/mill combo. I have a full wood shop, radial, table, miter and band saws, Mig, arc and tig welders. I make exhaust tips, engine hanger covers etc for the Valkyrie. I am retired but still sub contract for my former employer Bombardier. I do job machining, and welding for them. Also work as an on call trouble shooter for them.

[Thunderbolt]

You know the old saying about boys and their toys....................  No really those are some neat machines.

[RonHolly]

Verrrrrrrrry nice!  My shop is only 10x15 but it works ok.  Glad to see there are others here that enjoy the same things!  With cooler weather moving in I'll have to get back out in the shop and spin some metal.  Not too much talent but have a lot of interest.  Gotta learn G code and get my old CNC machine making something.  Even if it's just piles of shavings!  LoL

This is my first CNC cut, a year ago, after I rebuilt the whole machine to get it working!

https://www.youtube.com/edit?o=U&video_id=QR6lRh3YioY

[FloridaValkRyder]

You know the old saying about boys and their toys....................  No really those are some neat machines.

Indeed they are some neat machines. Many of us can speak to Bill's prowess in the machine shop area! I never even knew he did woodworking until the toy hauler project. You guys have some impressive tools and skills. James, I want to know more about this steam train stuff you speak of.

[RonHolly]

Speaking of woodwork, I have a moto trailer that I would like to build.  It was invented by, Tim Mazac, who patented it and sold it to a commercial trailer maker.  Hasn't hit the market yet but I'm sure it will be much nicer with improvements.  I also have some ideas for improvement if I get around to making one of my own.   It's call the "Idaho Bedroll" and here is a couple of pics.

[FloridaValkRyder]

Love the concept of the trailer Ron. 'Pears you need a little more leg room!

[RonHolly]

Love the concept of the trailer Ron. 'Pears you need a little more leg room!

Nope, legs go up under the galley!  If your seven feet tall you may have a problem.

[John Schmidt]

Geez....makes me feel like an amatuer.    I'm still pretty good cutting butter with a hot knife. 

I've always wanted to do something like you guys have done. Just couldn't justify the expense if I didn't use it that much. As for trailer ideas, some time ago I designed one that was light enough to tow behind a bike but strong enough to carry a Wing. You could tow your bike to a central location, unload it then disconnect the trailer and collapse it. When collapsed, it made into a neat little tow behind trailer you could use to travel an extended area away from the central location. Never had the funds to pursue the finished product which used carbon fiber extensively. Maybe one day.....

[Grumpy]

I have built a few trailers also, this is my last one. Painted a little different now. I plan on making some more of these, produced a mold, just need to get setup with a glass shop to shoot the glass.