View Full Version : CALFAB swingarms back in business
I haven't posted on here in a while. My priorities shifted so far to the left I havn't had time to even look at my bikes in 2 years. I am now deployed in Afghanistan and have been checking out the best 3 wheeler site in the world again during my free time. I caught the post about the craigslist score of the day(Tri-z with top tank and CAL-FAB swingarm) I have to say that bike should be put in a museum. I am a huge TRI-Z guy so Im happy but still hating I didn't find it:) Anyway what the hell am I going to do from here, Im glad it went to a good home. I had some free time and was looking into CAL-FAB for no good reason and came up with this. A company in California called MotoGP Werks is acyually based out of the old CAL-FAB swingarm building and is manufacturing them again for street bikes. If you look online under that name it is all over. This seems to have just kicked off in May or June. Maybe someone from Cali can confirm it. This site has had a huge influence on the ATV aftermarket industry, I have been a member pretty much since it started and I have to say I love what this place has done for the reputation of the 3 wheeler. If someone wants to take it on, maybe give them a call and see if they are willing to reproduce some of the old CAL-FABS for the big 3. This might mean someone sending one to them which would be like sending the Holy Grail back to Jesus :) Anyway times up gotta go. It was good to vent a bit and throw up a post. I attached 2 links below.
Dennis
MotoGPWerks.com
http://kzrider.com/forum/5-chassis/595683-new-cal-fab-swingarms-are-being-made
manbearpig
09-28-2014, 09:45 AM
This is much better news than the reproduction of some funky tires.
ktmcrasher
09-28-2014, 10:18 AM
I'm giving you all a chance to sell all your old swing arms now before the flood.
SELL SELL SELL!
manbearpig
09-28-2014, 10:28 AM
pretty much.
once new swingers are available the price of a good used original will either plummet or sky rocket.
poohbee1
09-28-2014, 10:52 AM
thanks for your service stay safe .Very good news I may be in the market for a tecate very soon if he will build them .
That is awesome news. I'll send them a stock Tri-z swinger if they want, but the Tri-z Cal-Fab isn't getting shipped halfway across the country.;)
I read the link and here will be the problem. He's not going to want to make just 1 or 2 swingarms for each bike because it's probably not worth his time and at $599-up, that's all he'll probably sell to this crowd. If he's going to need a pre-order, than pretty much forget it. I've said it before and I'll say it again, guys don't want to spend the money to fix their machines brakes, they're sure as hell not going to commit to a $600+ swingarm for the average trail rider. Most guys don't pay much more than that for their entire bike.
There have been several guys/companies with the ability and means to reproduce these swingarms and never any interest due to the cost and pre-commitment.
That being said, I have advocated the reproduction of all of these hard to find parts to bring the cost down so the average Joe can afford to build the dream machine of his youth, and not have to take out a second mortgage to do so. It woud be cool if he made them again.
christph
09-28-2014, 07:07 PM
I've actually be taking welding classes for the past year in the hopes of reproducing some old school parts. I'm working on my aluminum tig welding now. However, if we could get them to reproduce these parts I'm all for it. Since what they are currently reproducing is already niche market item, perhaps it wouldn't take too many pre-orders to get them making 3 wheeler parts. I'm sure it is a long shot but perhaps they still have the old designs and jigs. I have Calfabs for both my 1st and 2nd generation Tecates--currently installed. I would consider sending them the specs (or lending it) if they showed some real interest.
mjquadracer
09-29-2014, 11:02 PM
I've actually be taking welding classes for the past year in the hopes of reproducing some old school parts. I'm working on my aluminum tig welding now. However, if we could get them to reproduce these parts I'm all for it. Since what they are currently reproducing is already niche market item, perhaps it wouldn't take too many pre-orders to get them making 3 wheeler parts. I'm sure it is a long shot but perhaps they still have the old designs and jigs. I have Calfabs for both my 1st and 2nd generation Tecates--currently installed. I would consider sending them the specs (or lending it) if they showed some real interest.
I don't get why people make such a big deal about cal fab swingarms. I ran them back int the day and they were junk! they always cracked and didn't hold up. The only reason team green ran them was because they were sponsored by them. Even Donny luce ran wescoast swingarms .
manbearpig
09-29-2014, 11:13 PM
I don't get why people make such a big deal about cal fab swingarms. I ran them back int the day and they were junk! they always cracked and didn't hold up. The only reason team green ran them was because they were sponsored by them. Even Donny luce ran wescoast swingarms .
this sentiment can be said about many of the items from back in the day. For instance: DG heads. Still, the market wants what it wants, even if its misinformation.
christph
10-02-2014, 03:40 AM
I don't get why people make such a big deal about cal fab swingarms. I ran them back int the day and they were junk! they always cracked and didn't hold up. The only reason team green ran them was because they were sponsored by them. Even Donny luce ran wescoast swingarms .
I've been riding mine for years, it hasn't cracked, it's a lot lighter than stock, it's cool as hell, and it is not junk.
He's just jealous cause he doesn't have one.
manbearpig
10-02-2014, 09:45 AM
He's just jealous cause he doesn't have one.
i had one... it was cracked when i found it.
http://i1115.photobucket.com/albums/k557/proct103/85dd8694_zpsb2d45d02.jpg (http://s1115.photobucket.com/user/proct103/media/85dd8694_zpsb2d45d02.jpg.html)
http://i1115.photobucket.com/albums/k557/proct103/f760ac2f_zpsd5469052.jpg (http://s1115.photobucket.com/user/proct103/media/f760ac2f_zpsd5469052.jpg.html)
Has anyone contact this guy to see if he's going to offer trike arms?
Better find out his lead time also. Anything longer than 6-8 weeks for custom one off work no one else provides is grounds to be lynched....especially by those with no real intentions to ever purchase one..
Just read on the Tecate Facebook page and it's going to be $ 700-800 if there is enough interest.
christph
10-03-2014, 10:58 PM
Just read on the Tecate Facebook page and it's going to be $ 700-800 if there is enough interest.
Did somebody contact them and that's the quote they gave?
Did somebody contact them and that's the quote they gave?
According to the guy on Facebook.
Marty
01-02-2015, 09:57 PM
So how do I contact cal fab if I don't have Facebook?
Is there a website?
Moto GP Werks. I read the other day on here that someone contacted them about a Tri-z swingarm and it was like $1500 or more. Lol
I just sent an email regarding a second gen Tecate Calfab. I'll keep everyone posted.
John_Neary
08-04-2015, 12:36 AM
You should ask if they still make fuel tanks, CalFab made some super sano tanks for the first gen Tecate and a few other bikes. The small size tanks you see on Jimmy White's factory bikes where all made by CalFab.
onformula1
08-04-2015, 12:44 AM
You should ask if they still make fuel tanks, CalFab made some super sano tanks for the first gen Tecate and a few other bikes. The small size tanks you see on Jimmy White's factory bikes where all made by CalFab.
Super Sano Miller Mano!
christph
08-04-2015, 06:08 PM
I'd be interested in CalFab swingers for the 250R, Tri-Z, and Tecate--even though I have one for the latter. I wonder if they still have the original designs or would need a sample for mock up?
Mr. Clean
08-04-2015, 06:48 PM
I wonder if they still have the original designs or would need a sample for mock up?
From what I have seen for 250r swingarms designs are quite different for the various lengths. Maybe they were purpose built or maybe what welder showed up for work that day. Could also be for a TRX instead of ATC.
Here are some recent versions and I have not even started searching here on 3ww.
-2 that ceaser has on EBAY
219327219328
My +2, look at the vertical shock support. Also all of these swingarm are fully welded by the carrier, mine is not, will post a pic later.
219330219331
Another one from a social media site, not sure of the length.
219332219333
Another one on EBAY for an 85R.
219329
bkm's old swinger.
219334
I just got an email back from Chris at motogpwerks, he says around $750 for a 86-87 Tecate Calfab if we can sell 5. Maybe less if there are more orders, but I wouldn't think much more.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk
barnett468
08-04-2015, 08:03 PM
.
I'd be interested in CalFab swingers for the 250R, Tri-Z, and Tecate--even though I have one for the latter. I wonder if they still have the original designs or would need a sample for mock up?
Here ya go christph . . I simply picked up the phone and called Chris whom is the current owner of the Cal Fab name and the shop below.
Phone Pacific time - 714-223-0111
http://www.motogpwerks.com/
He bought the Cal Fab name only . . He has no jigs from them so he would need the bike, however, he really doesn’t want to build just one custom arm, but he “might”, and it would be heat treated aluminum for around $1200.00 minimum.
He will copy an old arm if you send him one and the minimum order is 10 . . They will be aluminum and cost around $700.00 each . . I did not ask him about reproducing the steel swing arms.
He actually worked for Kawasaki Racing and will build custom cone pipes but prefers not to . . Cost might be around $300.00 and he will need the bike . . He will copy a cone pipe if you send him one . . Cost might be $200.00 - $250.00 . . He did not mention a minimum or a price break on several.
He also has a dyno.
Call for more info.
You should ask if they still make fuel tanks, CalFab made some super sano tanks for the first gen Tecate and a few other bikes. The small size tanks you see on Jimmy White's factory bikes where all made by CalFab.
John, he doesn’t have any Cal Fab gas tanks or the forms for them, but I know tanks can be custom made by Metal Crafters or Jesse James etc if you have enough money.
http://www.metalcrafters.com/
http://www.westcoastchoppers.com/pages/contact-us
...............These are all Cal Fab 1986 - 1987 Tecate arms . . Top is plus 2" . . Center is Stock or minus 1" . . Bottom is stock . . The foot was a promotional item.
.............http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx18/zwaylo/dsc00343zw.jpg
.
John_Neary
08-04-2015, 08:10 PM
to be honest $1200 for a one off swing arm is not a bad price when you consider they cost $500 thirty years ago when they could mass produce them and $300 for a cone pipe is a steal
but if you are fast and or fat keep in mind alloy swing arms will crack at the welds sooner or later
Hey Bkm is the new calfab's suppose to look like the original ones?
Oile, I still have to check with him. The email I received from Chris said if we sell five, they will be around $750.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk
barnett468
08-04-2015, 08:27 PM
.
...is the new calfab's suppose to look like the original ones?
From post 27.
He bought the Cal Fab name only . . He has no jigs from them so he would need the bike...
He will copy an old arm if you send him one and the minimum order is 10...
Keith Salyer
11-30-2015, 06:11 PM
Any more news about this?
barnett468
11-30-2015, 06:24 PM
.
Any more news about this?
Not that I know of . . I actually called him before I posted because I and some of my friends were interested in some things.
If I remember correctly, a custom one off aluminum arm is around $1200.00 . . If you buy 10 of them they will be around $700.00 each or slightly less.
The guy below also makes nice custom stuff in case that helps you.
http://www.hreatv.com/custombuiltparts.html
.
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