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Yeah, AlisoBob's buddy who builds that frame does nice work (at least aesthetically so). Structurally, I honestly don't know whether it's necessary. So, I offer the sincere question. And, I ask it because of the times I've run across individuals who do too much and burn time and money.
For example, in the first company I worked for as an engineer, we had a machinist from Switzerland who fancied himself similar to a watch maker. I'd ask him to fab up a couple prototype parts for me. Now, the manufactured version would be subject to typical injection molding tolerances. So, if it was something like an anisotropic glass loaded semi-crystalline material, then those tolerances could be relatively big (in an injection molded part). But, he'd burn 2 days trying to stay within 0.0005" (yes, that's 5 ten thousands of an inch) of nominal. An approach like that can not only burn time and money, but if you make several of them the same, you could throw the test results.
AJ is a great businessman. I bought a used SH 500 that gave SH itself zero profit. One bracket on the pipe was broken when I bought the bike from the kid who owned it. I talked to AJ about it, he explained to me it was a weak area of the Pro Circuit pipe, and I could get the FMF pipe instead, which should solve the problem. He then proceeded to send me several upgrades they did to the bike at no cost to me (not cheap stuff, either....one was a free airbox they started using that allowed air filter access from the side), in addition to some free bling for the bike (custom machined brake reservoir covers and a clutch cover). The guy's good people.
BTW, if you have a BS degree in engineering, I don't mind you calling yourself an engineer. Whether or not you are good at it is a different story.
The Shop
and this....
I honestly wouldn't spend $10k on the former. The question of whether or not it's structurally sound wouldn't even come into play if I saw that type of weld on a bike that I was considering for purchase. In my mind it doesn't look right and I would always have a mental hangup over it.
It seems like I've read a few threads that stated SH's quality has made some leaps in the last few years so it would be interesting to compare a frame of AJ's from 5 yrs ago to the way he builds them today.
I thinks Pauls way is the best and timewise for the build, not any worse. I'd go his route because it looks OEM, and the most structurally sound. Proper material, formed correctly, not billet inserts with extra unnecessary welds. Nice mounts to weld on, just done with forethought and pride.
Personally, until SH changes their methods, I won't own one. Not because I don't like AJ or anything else. On a personal level, I've only read good things about AJ and his dealings with people. It's just SHs methods I have an issue with. This is NOT an anti SH thread, nor was it ever intended to be. Just here to expose MPS for they are. An unprofessional shop, with a clearly substandard product, to do business with.
It blows me away how some engineers get so crossed up by the books. So many of these new guys spend their off-hours playing video games or as musicians...with no practical applications of the world they're getting into. When I hire, I look for guys who either have professional experience in a blue collar world (like mechanics, fabrication, or construction), or if they grew up working on their parents' farm. The farm boys can be extremely practical. There's one guy who wrote convergence algorithms that are used for analysis of aircraft tires during landing (that non-linear stuff is wild...have done a lot of it and it really works if you have the patience to set it up properly and use it practically). His name is Dr. Joe Padavan. The guy grew up on a farm, has one still, and teaches advanced FEA. I guess he's worked for NASA and Goodyear. One of the sharpest guys I've ever met.
You right about the farm boys, or girls. My sister-in-law is a EE from Wyoming. She is a kick ass engineer, partly because she grew up on a remote farm. It helps that she has a photographic memory.
Didn't think you ever left Non Moto. Shouldn't you be over there, up on your soapbox, spewing your intelectual and societal superiority and anti-American bullshit? Or are you just finally tired of masturbating in your mothers basement and thought you'd step out for a while?
Oops, back on subject....I'm thinking of taking some pics of my '05 SH frame. I wasn't thrilled with how they fitted the engine, but the bike works damn good (best all around machine I've ever ridden), and, like a sore dick, ya' can't beat it! Had the opportunity to take it to the Utah dez once, and holy shit that is THE bike to have in the sand!
Pit Row
But, I'll agree is that it really shines in the sand. A sand wash is one fantastic place to let that baby rip. Never had it on the dunes, yet. Had my old CR500 and rode some dunes in Johnson Valley (albeit small ones), and it was a blast. I imagine this SH is a lot better, as it is in all other conditions than the old 5-hunny.
'Course none of this happens if you can't get your engine into the frame....lol.
Ever try one with a Rekluse?
500
Case closed.
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