Since a car crash interrupted this last time around (ended up with a nicer replacement, but I'm also paying for it), I'll use this opportunity to finish this build finally. This is how it stands now. I'm going to change the rear fairing because I think it's too clunky with the fake exhaust slung underneath. I'm thinking of mounting them so that they edge the platform instead. The platform will be inset to the tube, so the width won't increase much. They'll be hinged along the top so that I can move them out of the way to fit the laptop or sketch pad inside. They'll stick out rearward about the same distance they do now. Not sure if I'll do the front rack as part of this or save it for later. Won't take much to do, but it may take away from the final result visually.
I reinforced the seat tube today because the small diameter and height I'll need to extend it to in order to ride it made me nervous. I jammed an aluminum rod in there. I know, electrolytic corrosion, but I greased it up really well to get it in, the bike won't be outside, it would take years to be a problem, and is a cheap fix. The markings on it are from me grinding three spiral channels in it with the idea that it would compress a little to fit in easier. Don't know if it helped, but I was able to get it in with a hammer without any swearing.
I reinforced the seat tube today because the small diameter and height I'll need to extend it to in order to ride it made me nervous. I jammed an aluminum rod in there. I know, electrolytic corrosion, but I greased it up really well to get it in, the bike won't be outside, it would take years to be a problem, and is a cheap fix. The markings on it are from me grinding three spiral channels in it with the idea that it would compress a little to fit in easier. Don't know if it helped, but I was able to get it in with a hammer without any swearing.