Some old builds

[threeforks]

Hi,
Here are a few of the bikes from the past.
Spoke of these in my first post, "New member intros"

"Fun bikes", my name for the breed of BMX/10speed mixes. Started building these in 1985.
The blue DiamondGoose is from that year, only the fenders are newer.
The Green one is the last one made, and might be the last of the breed, as now I'm leaning toward trikes.

 

[threeforks]

Next two of the BMX based tandems.
then the delta upright that was so unstable
The Cole family also got a farm cart
next is the start of the bent that wound up as a trike

 

[threeforks]

The first chopper was a mini, and rode smoothly
The next one was a bit more and rode OK, but needed some effort

 

[horsefarmer]

Your tiny tandems are cool !

 

[threeforks]

The next build did not get finished, as we packed up and moved 150 miles south.
I called this trike an "UpDown", as the front rider(stoker) is recumbent, and the rear(captian)
is upright and has the controls.
Main thought was to allow the rear rider full field of vision.

 

[threeforks]

Thanks for your reply on the tiny tandems.
They do serve a purpose, just limited.
Not very fast, just for cruzing, limited gear choices because of the short rear triangle,
and not quite tall enough for really tall riders.
Strong points: affordable, mostly used or free parts. Very sturdy. Low enough top bars to
"step over", quite high on the "fun factor" when other folks see them ridden.

 

[threeforks]

Next, I know this site is about bikes, but since I'm new here this might be a good
time to include a few shots of my life, including one recent of me.

 

[threeforks]

Here's one more that you won't find at Walmart.
I was doing some yardwork for a few years, just local, and needed to transport the tools.
Named it "Other"

 

[horsefarmer]

I've got tons of 20" stuff laying around, your builds are inspiring.

 

[threeforks]

One last post for this run,
First is the aluminum framed jumble with the tall fork.
Don't remember if it's 27.5 or 29er, but using a 24" wheel the underslung BMX style centerpull
brakes just fit on the existing brake posts.

The next one has been my "go to" bike for 20 years, until now that my balance is fading and
the bent trikes are more fun.
This is an old Stumpjumper with my upright high flat bars that work well with longterm
back problems.
Sidenote: This one bike has new forks and the steer tube was not cut off so the quill stem
is very strong even though high.
All the other extended stems,steertubes,and seatposts have been sleeved with something
strong enough and long enough to allow for plug welds as well as the butt joint.

In fact the story of longer stems, seatposts and steer tubes would make another thread.

And last, what slideshow would be complete without something from "off the wall",
or in this case, on the fence.

 

[threeforks]

Horsefarmer, remember that a lot of the quality BMX stuff was designed to withstand
brutal use. At the worst the used full sized bike parts, even if smaller.
Good you have some around. A few years ago those bikes were throw-aways,
now they're collectable.

 

[MattiThundrrr]

The kid "bucket seat" is so awesome

Or is that his diaper? I freaking love it! I wish I could still cram my kids in a bucket, they've moved on to barrels

 

[threeforks]

Hi,
That pic is 4 years old now. The Coles, the family pictured, have 5 kids now. They wound up
with two of the tandems I built, and make good use of them.
Yes, that is a bucket, and that was Ted Coles idea.

Last year I found a tandem Tag-along and passed it on to them.
This summer Ted is bound to hook up that tandem tagalong to the mini tandem for
4 or 5 on one extended bike.
Hope to get a pic of that.
Kids do have a way of growing.
My "baby" is now 45.

Those "bucket" seats worked great, and so did the "fork" bolted on to the front of the
headtube. That was used at another time to carry the diaper bag plus.

 

[threeforks]

That pic is 4 years old. The Coles, who wound up with 2 of the tandems I built, have 5 kids now.
That bucket seat was Ted's idea. Worked out great. So did the bolted on fork on the front
of the head tube. That was used later for the diaper bag. (click on the "coles 002.jpg at the start
of this thread to see).
Kids do have a way of growing. My "baby" is now 45.

 

[RustyGold]

Great gallery! First class imagination!

 

[MattiThundrrr]

Last year I found a tandem Tag-along and passed it on to them.
This summer Ted is bound to hook up that tandem tagalong to the mini tandem for
4 or 5 on one extended bike.
Hope to get a pic of that.

That is awesome! Please try to get that picture. I wanted one of those for behind my tandem. The entire family on one bike would be epic, Tandemonium!! Thanks for sharing

 

[threeforks]

Hi,
We plan to see the Coles this next weekend, will try to get a pic, even if not in use,
just propped up behind one of the minis.

For now, here is one more "old build". It's a "frakentrike".
The end result of the failed, (too unstable) upright trike,
welded to the front of the failed (too flimsy ) LW bent.
Both made from recycled bikes and stuff on hand.
No $ spent until recently. Spent $200 for a "Bike-E" from a neighbor
to get the Sram dual drive hub. Really great for slow speeds around the
place over rough dirt and grass.
You might have noticed how the grass and weeds grow so fast in my pics.
One mile from the beach, lots of rain, mild temps, and I can't cut it fast enough.

This trike might look awful, but it's the most comfortable to ride, after all the adjustments.
Built before I had any real knowledge of trikes, I used some odd parts.
Note the driveshaft made from two 1/2" impact swivels and an 6" extension.

 

[threeforks]

Hi Matti,
Not only did I get the picture, I got to bring back the tagalong.
Those kids are 3 and 4 now, holy terrors on their own small bikes.
The tandem tagalong was to unstable for them.
I see a possible triple , for kids only, or adult up front and kids behind.

 

[threeforks]

Here are Timmy and Tanner.
They are fast on those things.

 

[threeforks]

I posted it already, but this is also a good place to post it.
This also came back home.
Needs to be finished,
Can't decide whether to mount the semi-wide 9" wheel/tire built up for this,
or convert to trike with narrow car tires/mags.