What's it called when you're intensely jealous to the point nearing anger?

That's pretty awesome. I dream of being at this level of, but alas I'm only in the process of learning my mig whilst saving for a tig. So I have to ask: is this type of thing near your profession or entirely a hobby?

Quote from: RMartin on August 24, 2011, 03:05:41 PM
   OK, I'll try to answer some of the questions:

    Is it rigid enough: I think so. The main tubes from the head to the engine mounts are 1.25" and the wall is .005" thicker than the stock frame. Ti is stronger than steel but a little more flexible so you can't just substitute Ti for steel and get the same stiffness. I also had all of the gussets cut with a water jet from 1/8" plate.

   VIN#: In the state of Kansas I just have to have it inspected by the Highway Patrol and they will issue a new VIN#. If I want to sell the frames I need to issue a MSO. There is no federal regulation on frames, it is up to each state. Some states require that the MSO come from a bonded company. In Kansas all you need is a bill of sale to get a VIN# for a frame. I have found a company that will sell you VIN#'s for frames. It's $1,400 for the first VIN and $200 for each one after that.

DucPainter:The frame was not welded in a chamber. I used a gas lens in the torch and 10 seconds post purge with UHP Argon. I only welded 3/4 to 1" at a time to stay within the coverage of the gas lens. I also injected argon inside the tube in the places that I could. If you look close in the picture below you can see where I screwed a fitting into the jig to purge the inside of the head tube. That head tube is machined from a piece of Ti pipe, not a thin piece of tube with an aluminum insert.

IMO,pictures usually make welds look worse than they actually are,especially on shiny metal.

The frame was not beadblasted.I buffed the weld area off with a Scotchbrite wheel and then sanded with some 320 paper and then a Scotcbrite pad. A thin coat of WD-40 makes it look nice.

I was wondering how you removed the discoloration.

There would be some with even a ten second post flow.

The Ti pipe is the expensive way to do it.

Quote from: avizpls on August 24, 2011, 04:23:13 PM
What's it called when you're intensely jealous to the point nearing anger?

a duc owner that's looking this frame haha

I approve of this frame.

Quote from: Travman on August 24, 2011, 11:27:34 AM
Beautiful.    

ArcFab (Doug Cook) used to make Ti frames for Supersports.

i though about buying somebodies ARC Ti frame but i kinda didn't like the weird redesign he did by the headtube. i sure it was partially due to not having any bent/angled tubes. all straights. i would love to own a ti or aluminum monster frame and Rmartin's has the cleanest one i've seen hands down. i'm eager to see a price on the final product if he's going to sell and i'm not saying just to harass the guy. can't rush perfection.

it'd be awesome if Rmartin is going to be at indy GP.

Wow. Watching with interest.

thats a nice looking jig you've built there.

Holy Sh*t! That is AMAZING!!!! I work with Ti on airplanes and it can be a dog. I wonder how much of a difference bead blasting would make?  Not only in the appearance but the actual structural strengthening and stress relief that bead blasting has on metal.   

I think everyone else has used up all the superlatives, so I have nothing left to add

except...

can you teach me to weld that good?  

Quote from: RMartin on August 24, 2011, 03:05:41 PM
   VIN#: In the state of Kansas I just have to have it inspected by the Highway Patrol and they will issue a new VIN#. If I want to sell the frames I need to issue a MSO. There is no federal regulation on frames, it is up to each state. Some states require that the MSO come from a bonded company. In Kansas all you need is a bill of sale to get a VIN# for a frame. I have found a company that will sell you VIN#'s for frames. It's $1,400 for the first VIN and $200 for each one after that.

Holy crap! Another forum member from my state!

That must make a whole three or four of us here...

Great work, I really love/engy it!

Quote from: RMartin on August 24, 2011, 03:05:41 PM
   VIN#: In the state of Kansas I just have to have it inspected by the Highway Patrol and they will issue a new VIN#. If I want to sell the frames I need to issue a MSO. There is no federal regulation on frames, it is up to each state. Some states require that the MSO come from a bonded company. In Kansas all you need is a bill of sale to get a VIN# for a frame. I have found a company that will sell you VIN#'s for frames. It's $1,400 for the first VIN and $200 for each one after that.

So, have you put any thought in making a few more frames and sellling them?

words are useless!

   Zarn - Where are you located in Kansas?

Yes, they will be for sale, just not quite ready to let the whole cat out of the bag yet.

I dare you to make a frame for a Sport1000.