MPS 500 AF welds exposed

[MICK]

The work on that MPS looks good to me. TTM's work is excellent, Bob's frame also looks very good. What do they all have in common? An excellent handling aluminum frame with a 500cc two stroke motor. Many of you cry and make arguments for welds???? Aside from bird shit...I don't fucking care what they look like! Your pretty weld isn't going to give you any advantage against the next rider. IT'S ALL IN YOUR HEAD! But it's ok for you to think your bike is better. You paid for it, and most importantly were patient enough to wait for it. If the condolence of calling your bike a "works" machine makes you happy I'm glad for you. I don't want a god damn WORKS bike!! I want an aluminum fucking framed CR500. And that's just what I call mine...a CR500 (notice signiture). And I'm in the business of feeding other riders copious amounts of soil...

I personally hope MPS sells hundreds of 500 conversions. I hope Service Honda sells a bike or two every week. I also hope TTM makes dozens of conversions this year. I just want to see as many 500AFs as possible hit the tracks and trials. I'm never going to tell another 500AF rider he's an idiot for spending the money the way he did. I'm just glad to see the 500AF riders we got, and I'd like to see more. This bitching and complaining about every fucking shop who builds these bikes but TTM only stands to help one person...Mike. And I wish the best for him. But I also want to see our particular community grow. And that's not going to happen until we accept every 500AF builder. All this complaining makes this community look like a bunch of whiny bitches. Picky little fuckers that obviously aren't happy with anything. Fuck it...Honda should just stop producing replacement parts for us so we have to start riding 450s and stop bitching and crying about who's god damn welds look like a fucking work of art!

[AlisoBob]

I don't fucking care what they look like! Your pretty weld isn't going to give you any advantage against the next rider. IT'S ALL IN YOUR HEAD! But it's ok for you to think your bike is better.

I disagree.... aluminum is tough to weld. A crappy looking weld, 99.9% of the time, lacks the structural strength of a proper looking weld.

[JBaze]

Dude WTF! Ever since the SH bullshit you think every thing is an attack on you and your buddies at SH. I too like to see all the guys buying, building and riding the 500's, we need as many as we can get, BUT at the same time like I said earlier, 1-I built my own bike because I like to do shit like that, 2-I am not promoting TTM, 3-I am not bashing SH or MPS, what I am saying is IF YOU PAY $1700 FOR WORK THAT LOOKS LIKE THAT YOU ARE A FUCKING LUNATIC! If you went to buy a new truck for $40K and it had runs in the fuking paint would you buy that one or spend your hard earned money on one that was painted correctly! Give me a fucking break dude. For as much as these places are charging a person is within their rights to expect a good looking product. We all know how well the fukers handle. What pisses me off is the fact that companies that do this shit, do it because they know theres a market for it. So they take advantage of people who either can't do it themselves or people who want one ready to bolt together. Unfortunatly most people are to lazy to do any shopping or hold people that send shit like that out acountable. You show welds like that to any certified welder and they would laugh at that shit, if they didn't, I sure as hell would not be driving over any bridges that guy welded on. And sure as fuck would not buy any products they are trying to sell.

[CR500 4 Ever]

TTM Works lower engine mount tab. Large foot print, loads dispersed over a wide area....


MPS, not so much....

Your choice.....

So I guess Service Honda's solid billet lower mount is junk too right, or are you going to pull out that 10 year old picture of one frame of thousand's with bad welds.

[CR500 4 Ever]

I don't fucking care what they look like! Your pretty weld isn't going to give you any advantage against the next rider. IT'S ALL IN YOUR HEAD! But it's ok for you to think your bike is better.

I disagree.... aluminum is tough to weld. A crappy looking weld, 99.9% of the time, lacks the structural strength of a proper looking weld.

We have cut apart and tested about a hundred welds in my tig welding course, and with a good welding machine, way more often than not a fairly ugly looking weld is structurally fine. A uniform weld is only of upmost imortance when multiple passes are to be done on a thick sectioned piece. There are way more factors involved with a "good" weld. Appearance is far down the list.

[pstoffers]

Fuck it...Honda should just stop producing replacement parts for us so we have to start riding 450s

They already did...

[pstoffers]

TTM Works lower engine mount tab. Large foot print, loads dispersed over a wide area....


MPS, not so much....

Your choice.....

So I guess Service Honda's solid billet lower mount is junk too right, or are you going to pull out that 10 year old picture of one frame of thousand's with bad welds.

Dude, 10 years ago or today what the fuck is the difference???????

[100hp honda]

I don't fucking care what they look like! Your pretty weld isn't going to give you any advantage against the next rider. IT'S ALL IN YOUR HEAD! But it's ok for you to think your bike is better.

I disagree.... aluminum is tough to weld. A crappy looking weld, 99.9% of the time, lacks the structural strength of a proper looking weld.

We have cut apart and tested about a hundred welds in my tig welding course, and with a good welding machine, way more often than not a fairly ugly looking weld is structurally fine. A uniform weld is only of upmost imortance when multiple passes are to be done on a thick sectioned piece. There are way more factors involved with a "good" weld. Appearance is far down the list.

i see what your saying about strength. but when you pay big bucks you also want it to "look" like a professional did the work....you want tubes to line up perfect, welds to be uniform, mounts to be in the correct place etc etc. that MPS bike doesnt look like a professional did it, atleast not when compared to mikes bike. if i was to weld my own frame, that MPS machine would look like a shiny diamond

[MICK]

Jbaze I don't believe there has been any jab taken towards me or my bike...non taken anyway. But I fundamentally disagree with some points of view towards this conversion biz. I know that many members of this site think very little of MPS or Service Honda bikes. Not a problem in the least. I won't tell anybody where to put their money. I've seen some awful welds and called them as such. However this MPS build is an example of a bike I think was done OK. I would own and ride it...Do keep in mind thousands of guys purchase $40,000 trucks that aren't worth a shit. Simple as that. Chysler for example couldn't build a fucking truck right to save their life, but they still sell. And I don't tell my friends who buy them not to...it's their money right? It wouldn't matter if I did, their last truck was a POS Dodge and their next one will be to.
I would just much rather support all the conversion shops and DIY'ers. Any man is capable of making his own dicisions. When a prospective 500AF rider looks at this site I would like him to see three or four options, each uniquely different and affordable. Instead this site has made it clear they support only ONE shop...and you've got to wait all summer to get one. No thanks, I'll ride a 450...

...that's the wrong answer.

[MICK]

Fuck it...Honda should just stop producing replacement parts for us so we have to start riding 450s

They already did...

Check check stoffers...is the brain on? They still produce replacement parts. And have to by law until 2011.

[CR500 4 Ever]

TTM Works lower engine mount tab. Large foot print, loads dispersed over a wide area....


MPS, not so much....

Your choice.....

So I guess Service Honda's solid billet lower mount is junk too right, or are you going to pull out that 10 year old picture of one frame of thousand's with bad welds.

Dude, 10 years ago or today what the fuck is the difference???????

The difference is that the way their conversion is done has changed substantially. You might want to really check the facts of what it is you are criticizing. Have you even seen a 2004 or newer Service Honda frame? The welds on my frame are more than sufficient. Everyone on here seems to use the same picture to bash Service Honda, But there current product looks nothing like the dream you all cling too. You use it to glorify others. You seriously don't think that others have learned from what Service Honda started. Themselves included. Of course it easier to build a decent conversion now that Service Honda has paved the way. TTM may produce visually better looking welds but if you think there product is any stronger you are living in a dream world created by certain members on this site.

[CR500 4 Ever]

I disagree.... aluminum is tough to weld. A crappy looking weld, 99.9% of the time, lacks the structural strength of a proper looking weld.

We have cut apart and tested about a hundred welds in my tig welding course, and with a good welding machine, way more often than not a fairly ugly looking weld is structurally fine. A uniform weld is only of upmost imortance when multiple passes are to be done on a thick sectioned piece. There are way more factors involved with a "good" weld. Appearance is far down the list.

i see what your saying about strength. but when you pay big bucks you also want it to "look" like a professional did the work....you want tubes to line up perfect, welds to be uniform, mounts to be in the correct place etc etc. that MPS bike doesnt look like a professional did it, atleast not when compared to mikes bike. if i was to weld my own frame, that MPS machine would look like a shiny diamond

I totally agree, the MPS conversion is not a "clean" look.

[pstoffers]

Listen fuck stick, Honda stopped production of the CR500 long ago. They don't make them or parts for them any more. So when all the parts are gone they're gone. Some parts are already discontinued for the CR500.

[MICK]

Take a knee...drink water...you're talking out your ass.

The parts discontinued are from models produced a decade ago. The 2001 Honda CR500R will have replacement parts available for retail until 2011. Then we're fucked.

Ask Canondale. Son of a biotch if they don't have to produce replacement parts for ten more years for shit they already discontinued. Rules is Rules...

[pstoffers]

So I guess Service Honda's solid billet lower mount is junk too right, or are you going to pull out that 10 year old picture of one frame of thousand's with bad welds.

Dude, 10 years ago or today what the fuck is the difference???????

The difference is that the way their conversion is done has changed substantially. You might want to really check the facts of what it is you are criticizing. Have you even seen a 2004 or newer Service Honda frame? The welds on my frame are more than sufficient. Everyone on here seems to use the same picture to bash Service Honda, But there current product looks nothing like the dream you all cling too. You use it to glorify others. You seriously don't think that others have learned from what Service Honda started. Themselves included. Of course it easier to build a decent conversion now that Service Honda has paved the way. TTM may produce visually better looking welds but if you think there product is any stronger you are living in a dream world created by certain members on this site.

First off SH was not the first one to do a aluminum frame conversion. I have seen lots of SH's bikes and most of them look like a high school shop class did it. (Obviously not just my opinion) We all will soon see whose livin in a dream world...

[pstoffers]

Take a knee...drink water...you're talking out your ass.

The parts discontinued are from models produced a decade ago. The 2001 Honda CR500R will have replacement parts available for retail until 2011. Then we're fucked.

Ask Canondale. Son of a biotch if they don't have to produce replacement parts for ten more years for shit they already discontinued. Rules is Rules...

[MICK]

Sure bro...sure


...god damn Service Honda better stop depleting our reserve of motors cause Honda isn't making them...guess they're putting themselves out of business

[AlisoBob]

[ Appearance is far down the list.

Usually people who can weld make statements like that.

[AlisoBob]

or are you going to pull out that 10 year old picture of one frame of thousand's with bad welds.

10 year old? Do you even know what a Gen 4 250x frame looks like dumbass?








....... AJ swears his parts "Index" together. How can they when they dont even align, or are nothing more than miles of spool gun wire shot into a void?



Look..... AJ isnt going to correct things, that much is clear.

His supporters feel that the craftsmanship is tip-top.... Thats there issue.

The Hoon who owns the bike never intended to be "ground Zero" in this debate.... He likes the bike, so do I....I've ridden it. I've also corrected some of the issues that the bike came with, that have nothing to do with the welding or fabrication. I do think he wishes the fit and finish was better though.

Lets put this to rest, and let S/H make the bikes they feel their customers deserve.

[AlisoBob]

Instead this site has made it clear they support only ONE shop..

Incorrect. This site supports EVERY builder, and offers every builder the oppertunity to post their latest information.

It still does.

I dont own a S/H, or a TTM... and never will.

I prefer the TTM, due to their commitment to quality. Yes, delivery has been slow, but Mike hasent received a free ride on that issue, nor has it been swept under the rug. He is working on speeding up delivery dates to better satisfy his customers..... Thats how its supposed to work.

[AlisoBob]

Have you even seen a 2004 or newer Service Honda frame? The welds on my frame are more than sufficient. Everyone on here seems to use the same picture to bash Service Honda, But there current product looks nothing like the dream you all cling too.

The photos I have posted are from a 2006, and 2007 model year. If your bike looks better, thats the whole argument right there...

Where is the consistantcy in production?

Lets see some close ups of what you were delivered.

[m178]

Like the old saying go's, If you want it done right do it yourself.
I will be starting mine as soon as I get my 05 450 paid for. (late jan).
I will do all the cutting and aligning myself. After it is mocked up just the way I want it . Then I will take it to my welder who is a retired aerospace engineer who can do better welds than what I have seen from mps or SH
with his eyes closed. I will still be standing over his shoulder. And it probably cost a six pack.

I cant say anything about TTM. There shit is beutiful.
As well as Alisobobs.
Either way, If the bike is yours and you like it. Ride the piss out of it.

[sabreguy]

I cant say anything about TTM. There shit is beutiful.
As well as Alisobobs.

Alisobob's bike looks like shit he is nothing but a hack job

[m178]

If mine looks like Alisobobs. I will be satisfied for sure.

[AlisoBob]

Either way, If the bike is yours and you like it. Ride the piss out of it.

Yup.....