Thanks for the ideas. I will check out those locations. I should pull out the shop manual and browse through that. 
Titanium bolt weight
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Would you get more madeThe swing arm pivot bolt came yesterday and I put it on the scale and found it weight 683 grams with nut. So 24 ounces, I can probably save 3/4 of a pound doing it in titanium. Plus, with titanium front and rear axles and steering head stem I can remove 2 pounds from the bike. Probably won't have time to play with it for at least 6 months.
Any other large bolts on the bike that can remove significant weight?
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It's possible to make any number axles and swingarm pivot bolts, but the cost of quality Grade 5 titanium to turn them from isn't cheap, for one set of three it is about $440 for the round stock. After external machining then they would to go to be gun drilled and finally a possible heat treat and tempering to make sure they are at least as strong as the stock steel axles and pivot bolt.
Yeah, I think the ti SA pivot bolt was about $300 a decade ago, but there were only a few made. Even fewer CBR riders would part with that much $$$ one. However, if the entire complement of the heavy steel bolts were available, I know someone who would…
To break it down, the front axle is 1.255" x 9.25" so a 32mm x 250mm round stock is $65. The Rear axle is 1.75" x 13.125" so a 45mm x 500mm piece is available for $215. The swing arm pivot bolt is 1.5" x 14" so a 38mm x 500mm slug is $160. All quality grade 5 Ti. Turning the external diameter isn't hard, but the inside gun drilling has to be smooth with a clean up ream so no stress points, by a certified shop, found one close to Los Angeles. Then there is the heat treating/annealing probably in a vacuum furnace so no hydrogen or oxygen embrittlement, and by a certified aerospace shop. Take no chances, minimized risks, for mission critical parts.
Found a lower triple clamp that I might buy to find out more about the steering head stem, without disabling my daily ride.
Found a lower triple clamp that I might buy to find out more about the steering head stem, without disabling my daily ride.
I previously received a quote for the machining, gun drilling, and materials and a set of axles was $1000, now I am thinking I can do the rough machining, turning the material to within say 0.030" of final diameters and then have an aerospace qualified machine shop finish them. They might even have better access to heat treating vendors.
Machining titanium requires ridge fixtures, sharp carbide cutters, slow feed speeds, and lots of lubrication and cooling.
Machining titanium requires ridge fixtures, sharp carbide cutters, slow feed speeds, and lots of lubrication and cooling.
Since it is raining today I found some time to work on the bike. I installed the titanium rear wheel adjusters bolts and nuts. Took the old ones out, bolt and nut weighs 25 grams, put new ones in, 14 grams. So 22 grams total saved but these I replaced for the bling factor and corrosion resistance.
While there I saw other candidates for replacement, the 8MM bolt holding the muffler mount to frame and its nut, and the four 10mm bolts that hold the rear shock and linkage, and the nuts to go with them. Ordered them on Ebay from a U.S. manufacturer. Another small project for next week.
While there I saw other candidates for replacement, the 8MM bolt holding the muffler mount to frame and its nut, and the four 10mm bolts that hold the rear shock and linkage, and the nuts to go with them. Ordered them on Ebay from a U.S. manufacturer. Another small project for next week.
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Whats the current weight of the bike full to the brim with fuel? I weighed mine yesterday. 194.2kg. Zero carbon parts.
Current weight on the bike, full of fuel, is 191 Kg or 420 pounds, looking at a possible 2.5 pound loss with the carbon fiber subframe, still not shipped yet, and another couple of pounds for titanium axles and Swingarm pivot bolt, possible future project. Hoping to get to 415 or maybe 410 pounds eventually. Running out of large weigh losses, after those it is ounces. The full exhaust is good for 7 pounds but isn't legal in the People Democrakic Republic of California.
For Anti-seize on titanium nuts and bolts I have been using a liquid thread locker for most. Where a thread locker isn't needed I use the standby brush on alumium based anti-seize compound. For mission critical stuff I use Beo-lube, made by Beoing Aircraft for thread and drilling lubrication.
I received the lower triple clamp of the steering head today. The part feels heavy at 2.6 pounds. The fork clamp part is either cast or forged Aluminum, judging by the center flashing it is probably forged. The steering stem is non-magnetic so is probably stainless steel. It looks to be pressed into the lower section, will need to use a press and heat to seperate them and weigh them individually. The stem is definitely a good candidate for a titanium replacement.
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