I have a lot of skill in metalworking and have access to machines at work. Can I improve perfomance using my skills as a machinist?

 

Let me rephrase the question. HOW can I improve performance? Can I port and polish the head like on a race car?

 

Yes you can. Port match the intake and exhaust and look in the exhaust pipe and get rid of the extra weld material. I am not a machinist, but I have made several parts out of aluminum to save weight and money. I made a swingarm skidplate out of 3/16. I made an underbody skidplate out of 1/4. I made an aluminum battery brace, sprocket guard, and exhaust shield to save weight. I also reproduced the factory pipe out of 1/8 aluminum to keep it quiet and save weight. I did go a little larger on the tubes on the inside. If you do this stuff daily, you can save money and make some cool stuff for cheap! I would like to try and copy the frame out of chromoly, but it might be past my skills. Better than $2000 for a Laeger as long as it doesn't break!

 

Hey tramar,
I work in a machine shop to, most of what we do is production work for the big ag companies so there isn't much down time on the machines. You can do porting and polishing at home in the garage with a dremel kit. Something I'm gonna get done at work though is drill another bolt circle in a set of aftermarket rims so I have honda/yamaha bolt patterns. We have also straightened axles a few times on our big press. Do you run/program cnc lathes or mills?