The Gen 1.5 RedLine Double Clamp Gooseneck
When the RedLine Double Clamp "Gooseneck" is mentioned, some might think of the first generation, with machined clamps, a chromoly base and no forward reach. Most will picture the second generation and those instantly recognizable cast aluminum clamps with RED LINE embossed on top. But, in that short space of time right in the middle, a hybrid bridged the gap. The chromoly base was all new, but it still had the machined clamps - just a slightly beefier version. This rarity is now known as the Gen 1.5 RedLine Double Clamp Stem.
One, two, three and four.
After cutting the tubing into lengths just a bit longer than I need, the O.D. is turned on the 1942 South Bend Lathe. Then the I.D. is opened up a bit. I take them to my polishing lathe and get them shiny before cutting the rough angle for the wedge on the band saw. Then, I put them in a special fixture on OG RedLine's Aizpurua mill to finish off the wedge mating surface. Finally, the overall length is brought into spec on the 1957 Logan lathe. All sharp edges are broken and they're good to go! I guess that's more like eight steps. Welcome to manual machining!
Support Tube and Base
The support tube is then cut to the rough length of two parts using the widest swing on the swivel head bandsaw. Then I cut them all in half at 90 degrees. I knock off the edges and put them in another fixture to miter the side that attaches to the quill tube. Yet another fixture is used to clock the tube and finish mill the angle that welds to the bottom of the plate. Then, it's de-burred and polished. The plate has been laser cut, but needs to be de-burred, sanded, polished and stamped prior to welding.
Tack and partial weld
I made this little fixture out of a punch press spacer that I got with the literal TONS of punch press die sets and support steel from old RedLine. That hole in the side is how it was through bolted down. I put a "V" groove in the vertical piece to keep things square and straight. It's not shown in this pic, but the quill is welded to the plate before the support tube is loaded and tacked in place. It takes some heat, so I keep it in the fixture while both tubes are welded to the plate and let it cool that way while I finish the previous part.
Weld it up!
The welding is always my favorite part. Machining is fun and I love doing it on manual machines, especially my genuine RedLine stuff. But, TIG welding is different. It's a flow thing. I always look forward to that part. And, I do it the old school way to keep them looking like they could have been done 50 years ago All the new tech is amazing, but if it wasn't around in the 70s, I generally don't do it. For Custom Shop pieces, anyway. These are all about RedLine soul!
Billet Aluminum Clamps
Though not a complicated part by any means, It takes a lot of operations and time to make them correctly on a manual mill. I could've had them CNC'd, but I'm using RedLine machines for everything I can. That's where the soul comes from! I won't go through it all, but count all the surfaces and features you can find on these clamps and that's how many operations there are. And that's not counting rough cutting, de-burring, stamping, hand rubbing for finish and cleaning.
The Finished Product
From start to finish, I love making these stems. They aren't just parts to me, as I say quite often. I'm the son of the guy who designed them. I had the first one on my bike 50 years ago and now I'm making them with much of the same machinery that made them way back when. If you're even a little nostalgic, which you must be if you're reading this, you have to think that's pretty cool, right? I sure do!
Frequently asked questions
What is the "EC" stamp for?
When I was a three year old at the flat track races in RedLine's motorcycle days, Hall of Fame racer Neil Keen called me "Electric Child". The stamp means it was made by me personally. Only "Custom Shop" pieces have it.
Are they chromoly?
Yes. I only work with Normalized 4130 Chromoly.
Are they nickel or chrome plated?
These stems are high polished and nickel plated, just like the originals.
Where are your products manufactured?
"Custom Shop" pieces like these are made by me in my East Texas shop. Others are made by skilled craftsmen who have worked with my dad for decades. I will always specify.
When will it ship, what does shipping cost and do you ship internationally?
If it's offered, it will ship within a couple of days. No pre-sales. Shipping is free to the USA. As of now, I am not shipping internationally. That may change.
