Mid-Western Flyer X-16 :: Assembled and Riding pg. 5

[SkyknightJohn]

My second year, and getting started on day one instead of day sixty!

I'm going to build from scratch a bike that emulates the Western Flyer X-53, one of my top 5 favorite classics. It won't be an exact replica by any means, just going to bring in some of the elements, evoke the spirit of the X-53, and give it some modern 2016 style.

I'm being ambitious, using double butted chromoly frame materials. If my welding doesn't hold up to the thin, thin material, I might have to switch to thicker plain gauge tubes.

The pic shows some of what I have gathered for parts. There's a bike in there somewhere, right? The frame tubes are on the way.

 

[raggedjim]

Great bike to emulate.

Good luck, Rg

 

[Big Ape]

Watching to see this bike develop, I like X-53 bikes too.

 

[ratrodz]

One of my favorite bikes!
Can't wait to see your spin on it!!

 

[Fv2]

This sounds cool.

 

[kingfish254]

I'm liking the sound of this build.

 

[deorman]

An ambitious plan, good luck!

 

[OddJob]

You had me at 'favorite classic'...! Rat on!

 

[LukeTheJoker]

X-53 from butted chro-moly? Awesome!

Luke.

 

[SkyknightJohn]

This scoop will bring some character to the tank. Hopefully you can see where I'm going with it (them-there are two of course). Three days until the main tubes arrive and I can get some real work done.

 

[assa9]

very interesting

 

[SkyknightJohn]

Petty progress today. Picked up a full argon bottle and ran some practice welds on scrap pieces of seat tube, 0.9mm (or 0.035" for us Imperialists.) A challenge not to burn through, for sure.

(* note: my handle is NOT "Stack-of-Dimes-John")

 

[Big Ape]

No more than I weld anymore, your weld looks about like one of mine. The funny thing is, about the time I am finishing a project my welds are looking great.......then I put it down for another 6 months, and the process repeats itself!

 

[G-Matt]

Sounds great I admire you guys who build your own frames . I would have to build mine out of wood lol. I will enjoy watching [emoji106]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[SkyknightJohn]

Hooray! Here are some materials to work with!

And this next pic might seem to some to be a FAILED attempt to bend this tube using a conduit bender... oh no! It is a SUCCESSFUL attempt to make another scrap piece for practice!

 

[assa9]

Hooray! Here are some materials to work with!
View attachment 23635

And this next pic might seem to some to be a FAILED attempt to bend this tube using a conduit bender... oh no! It is a SUCCESSFUL attempt to make another scrap piece for practice!

View attachment 23636

I like your attitude

 

[SkyknightJohn]

Gotta keep smiling! I need the weld practice anyway.
And in truth I expected to fail, which is why I bought an extra main tube. But I had to try. I guess I'll have a less curvy frame than I hoped. I'll call it part of the modernization look. I only lost 4-1/2" of tube, so not a complete waste.

 

[SkyknightJohn]

Here's the rear triangle snapped together. These investment cast drops fit right into the CS/SS ends (or into 1/2" x 0.065" plain tube as well) and weld up really nice and easy.

I should get to prepping, filing, and welding over the weekend, depending on honey-do's.

 

[SkyknightJohn]

Between work and doing honey--I mean--honey-do's ... all I managed today was a sketch of what it would look like with straight tubes and the concept tank/scoop.

Bending the middle bars and rack should be no problem.

What 'cha think? Straight main frame work?

 

[kingfish254]

I like your concept drawing a LOT!!!!
GO FOR IT!!!