2 bikes into 1... tandem build?

by **Craiggo** on Sun Apr 29, 2012 8:04 pm

I have this awesome uncle that has a history of building things that are unusual. for example, his 8ft tall "super flyer, or his oversized shopping carts. i told him to keep his eye out for any tandems at a recent car show and swap meet. that is when he offered that I come over to his place and bring a couple bike frames. I though, why not consider it. I am now here asking any of you if there have been any tandem from scratch builds. I have these two schwinn boy/girl frames lying around. both early 50's (corvette/american)

by **Craiggo** on Sun Apr 29, 2012 8:08 pm

Ive always liked these frames alot. I think i would try to use this styling.

by **deven_science** on Sun Apr 29, 2012 8:43 pm

I've tried it. It's doable, I think, but mine was a fail. The main thing I can pass on is that a tandem is longer than the two frames put together. The two people on mine were on top of each other. Most factory tandems add about 6 inches of extra space between them.

by **dragnusa** on Sun Apr 29, 2012 8:46 pm

Cant wait to see this build. Ive got 2 ten speed frames laying around ive been thinking of doing that with.

by **Craiggo** on Sun Apr 29, 2012 9:20 pm

I also have some extra road bike schwinns, but I think I would like the looks of a 50's tandem more than a 70's. Just personal preference I guess. Any handmade tandem is impressive though. I am sorry that yours was a fail

I think that my uncle would be key to making this work well. Only trying would lead to results haha. I hope to do this in the fall, or just after I finish my build off bike. Who knows thanks!
-Craig

by **skillsthebarber** on Sun Apr 29, 2012 9:42 pm

Here's a pic of one that a lbs made from 2 men's schwinns

by **Philphine** on Mon Apr 30, 2012 6:39 am

deven_science wrote:I've tried it. It's doable, I think, but mine was a fail. The main thing I can pass on is that a tandem is longer than the two frames put together. The two people on mine were on top of each other. Most factory tandems add about 6 inches of extra space between them.

i'm trying it now and have this problem. for me though it was kind of intentional and i may wish i had added a few more inches.

the original idea was to use a king/queen motorcycle seat, but it put the two riders way too close, so i split them up, but still tried to keep them as close together as possible. i've never had two people on it at the same time (just me test riding, then sitting on the back with it in a stationary exerciser), but it looks like the height range bettween driver and stoker is going to be limited and will have to match pretty well.

i should also add that while at one point i started to use two bikes, i ended up stetching one.

by **Walker** on Mon Apr 30, 2012 7:04 am

I'm getting ready to almost do what you're planning, except I'm cutting up a perfectly good tandem to make a different tandem.

by **yoothgeye** on Mon Apr 30, 2012 9:47 am

I hope you do this, but yeah, make sure it's long enough. My old Huffy tandem frame actually seems shorter than 2 frames put together! haha I'll see when I get it put together, but as it looks now it's going to be a tight fit for 2.

by **outskirtscustoms** on Mon Apr 30, 2012 12:10 pm

I have two JC Higgins women's flightliners that I am thinking of making a Tandem out of.

by **dragnusa** on Mon Apr 30, 2012 12:38 pm

With the one I have been thinking of building I planned to use a single gear sprocket on the front but a 10 speed sprocket on the second bike. I'm thinking that should workbut others input would be great

by **yoothgeye** on Mon Apr 30, 2012 1:03 pm

dragnusa wrote:With the one I have been thinking of building I planned to use a single gear sprocket on the front but a 10 speed sprocket on the second bike. I'm thinking that should workbut others input would be great

That's the way my Huffy was originally set up and how I will put it back together using cheap mountain bike sprockets.

by **aka_locojoe** on Mon Apr 30, 2012 1:42 pm

I built one from 2 MTBs. There are tons of older homemade tandems out there.

by **dragnusa** on Mon Apr 30, 2012 1:44 pm

yoothgeye wrote:
dragnusa wrote:With the one I have been thinking of building I planned to use a single gear sprocket on the front but a 10 speed sprocket on the second bike. I'm thinking that should workbut others input would be great

That's the way my Huffy was originally set up and how I will put it back together using cheap mountain bike sprockets.

Does it still have a tensioner for the front chain?

by **yoothgeye** on Mon Apr 30, 2012 1:59 pm

dragnusa wrote:Does it still have a tensioner for the front chain?

Unless you get lucky on chain length a tensioner will be needed on the timing chain.