Posted by Bryan Felsher on May 10, 2002 at 07:29:43:
In Reply to: Re: Trees Change!! posted by Robert on May 07, 2002 at 16:41:01:
I'm smiling. Well, I believe raking the fork
tubes will be much easier, so I think I can charge
less as it would take less time to make. Also, by
sticking to the stock width, I don't have to make
a new axel and axle spacers for the kit, so again
that drops cost. I'm still working on the design
and I've noticed that every raked tree has the rake
in the steering stem and there must be a reason
for that, so I may go back to my original drawing
and rake the stem. I also may only rake them 4
or 5 degrees, though I've seen up to 7 degrees. It's
just that even 6 degrees on my 3-d model on the
computer looks quite extreme and may look even
stranger on the bike. I may rake the stem 3 degrees
and rake the tubes 4 degrees for a total of 7
degrees rake. The stock trail would not change
by raking the trees as the steering angle remains
stock, so handling shouldn't be affected. I will
have the trees ready soon and will post pics, specs,
and cost as soon as I finish my first set. I can
already say that I bought the material and it
was $50.00. I have to pay $50.00 for use of the
equipment also so there's $100.00 overhead from
the get-go. I will not charge for programming time
as that would be astronomical (alien). I simply
charge $45.00 per hour that the machine is running
machining the parts and that is how I figure cost.
Then I just add the overhead. So although comercial
trees cost upwards of $600.00, I believe I can machine
them in 4 hours per pair.