All four of my custom mounting points are finished and back from the machine shop. I have several removable inter-locking bar clamps to buy but thats about it as far as hardware. Just about ready to have my buddy start fabricating the hoop.
holes were drilled for lightness and a finished look. Relief section was milled into the bottom for a snug fit to the chassis. Large holes which are angled and indexed for the bar inserts were the toughest to get right.
These holes had to be milled on a compound angle and with right and left orientation to sit correctly once mounted in the car.
Once the plates are seated, you can see that it is a very specific compound angle the tube be at to work.
With the base plate mocked-up in the car I cut an angle in the tube end allowing it to completely seat on the plate surface but straight-up with a slightly rearward angle. (like the factory bar) This masking tape with right and left locating lines gave my machinist the angle that i needed the mounting hole drilled at. He recreated it beautifully and without the car for referrence.
the tube stub-end will be welded on the underside. This was certainly much more work then just welding it right onto the top of the plate but its much stronger and lighter this way. This is the detail stuff I go crazy on.
The rear mount perches are now complete. All four of my custom mounts from paper to reality.
These rear units had a bit of weight to them being solid stock so I took them back to Bill (my machinist) and had him put these revolver style holes in for me. Again lighter and a better finished look.
Nice secure shouldered and bolted perch for my 1 1/2 inch down tubes.
Quick mock-up. Bar sits just like I wanted it to with a nice secure fit.
A solid step forward...
Before cutting this tube section up I used it to simulate the hoops basic lay with it resting neutrally in the mount holes. The holes were bored in beautifully. I used the rib on the inner quarter panel as my sight marker before and now; it still lined up!
This bar is a close representation but the actual hoop will have that kick at the bottom which will lay this upright more inward. The factory bar has these giving it more of an overall triangle shape. I love the look of the factory hoop so we'll go ahead and replicate it even though that slight kick at the bottom weakens it.
Happy with the basic rearward angle. Looks about the same profile as other installed bars I have seen, There is plenty of adjustment and wiggle room before its all set but it looks very close here.
holes were drilled for lightness and a finished look. Relief section was milled into the bottom for a snug fit to the chassis. Large holes which are angled and indexed for the bar inserts were the toughest to get right.
These holes had to be milled on a compound angle and with right and left orientation to sit correctly once mounted in the car.
Once the plates are seated, you can see that it is a very specific compound angle the tube be at to work.
With the base plate mocked-up in the car I cut an angle in the tube end allowing it to completely seat on the plate surface but straight-up with a slightly rearward angle. (like the factory bar) This masking tape with right and left locating lines gave my machinist the angle that i needed the mounting hole drilled at. He recreated it beautifully and without the car for referrence.
the tube stub-end will be welded on the underside. This was certainly much more work then just welding it right onto the top of the plate but its much stronger and lighter this way. This is the detail stuff I go crazy on.
The rear mount perches are now complete. All four of my custom mounts from paper to reality.
These rear units had a bit of weight to them being solid stock so I took them back to Bill (my machinist) and had him put these revolver style holes in for me. Again lighter and a better finished look.
Nice secure shouldered and bolted perch for my 1 1/2 inch down tubes.
Quick mock-up. Bar sits just like I wanted it to with a nice secure fit.
A solid step forward...
Before cutting this tube section up I used it to simulate the hoops basic lay with it resting neutrally in the mount holes. The holes were bored in beautifully. I used the rib on the inner quarter panel as my sight marker before and now; it still lined up!
This bar is a close representation but the actual hoop will have that kick at the bottom which will lay this upright more inward. The factory bar has these giving it more of an overall triangle shape. I love the look of the factory hoop so we'll go ahead and replicate it even though that slight kick at the bottom weakens it.
Happy with the basic rearward angle. Looks about the same profile as other installed bars I have seen, There is plenty of adjustment and wiggle room before its all set but it looks very close here.
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