cutting a motorbike cylinder in half lengthwise

[chunkolini]

A weird one
I have a job coming that involves butchering a bike. No details until I know I have got the job.
it might involve cutting the barrels in half. Its a V twin so they are accessible (dont panic it's only a 916).
Plan A involves having said barrel secured and taking the 9" angry grinder to it. pics below. I may have to lop the camchain tunnel of to make space.
Looks like they have steel liners. Might be a laugh?
Chop the bottoms off the liners first
I dont have a bandsaw but reckon that might do it mounted vertically with a small table and jig to guide the barrel along
Failing that dont bother ?
it's not absolutely essential but does open up a few options

 

[Barking Mat]

Is it for a cross section, display type thing ?

 

[chunkolini]

Not far off.

 

[Gareth J]

You need both halves? How good does the finish need to be?

If "no" to the first and "pretty good" to the second, chop with whatever and finish with a milling machine.

If "yes" to the first and "ok from a distance" to the second; hacksaw?

 

[blackolive (Ste)]

Not a bloody lamp

 

[addjunkie]

Id find someone with a band saw!

 

[chunkolini]

lamp? a great idea, I know edison bulbs and spanners all over the shop.
perhaps not.
if I get the job I may have to buy a bandsaw or would the angry grinder suffice or try and kill me?
Needs to be ok from a distance and yes both halves.
if I get both halves I can possibly get four of these instead of two

 

[chunkolini]

ok I'll spill the beans
A well known fashion company are targeting Urban Hipsters, check shirts, stick on tattoos,strap on beards, and wallets on bits of string.
Thats a bit cynical of me perhaps.
And want some wall mounted display items. The bike needs chopping up and turning into an airfix kit type of thing.
A jib for Chunko.
Then I realise that there are lots of boutique bike shops and hipster bars that might be into this sort of thing.
Possibly a bit of a long term project in it

 

[Gareth J]

Maybe practice one something scrap to see if a 2mm disc in a 9" grinder will get you where you need to be and decide.

 

[chunkolini]

Good idea. I will pop to the local bike shop with biscuits and see if I can rummage their scrap box

 

[dobbslc]

it's only a 916).

only a 916?
One of the most iconic motorcycles ever made!
That barrel isn't off a 916 though, it's air cooled.
I would say an angle grinder will make a massive mess of cutting one in half though, a bandsaw will be much better and a good excuse for a new tool !

 

[chunkolini]

Not a 916 or an airhead BMW
I was dreading being offered a classic.
Just a tired Japanese cruiser.
I'm just waiting for confirmation at the moment and preparing an M O for the job.

 

[mike 109444]

If you do it right then the look of the cut halfs won't matter.
Picture a metal frame about the size of a single bed! 1/2 box maybe.
Cut cylinders in half and turn cut edges away from you / viewer (towards wall) then take the various other bit of bike and spread out in side frame. Now join all the bits to the main outer frame with 1/4 box. So any rough bit point away from viewer when hung on wall.
Like airfix use to do it....

 

[mike 109444]

ps it does not need to be the whole bike just enough to give the look of a disassembled bike.
You could put some / part / cut in half the frame in another single bed sised frame

 

[chunkolini]

Yep
Have you been spying on me?

 

[Tinbasherdan]

I think I’d be finding the nearest outfit with a waterjet cutter myself

 

[finyuk2005]

You need both halves? How good does the finish need to be?

If "no" to the first and "pretty good" to the second, chop with whatever and finish with a milling machine.

If "yes" to the first and "ok from a distance" to the second; hacksaw?

Allen Millyard seems to only ever use a hacksaw, and it always works out pretty good for him!!

 

[500e]

He has a bit of previous though @fizzy

 

[Onoff]

3D print the half you want, spray. Or water jet cut a real one.

 

[chunkolini]

He's not normal though is he?
Fantastic bloke, great engineer, quite mad and no hint of an ego. Not full of himself; just does his Thing