MattiThundrrr
Rattus All Terrainus
Beastly!
Riff Ratt upgrade
- Thread starter Wildcat
- Start date
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I have an issue with the cranks. The chain would scrub in a gear I wanted, 20 tooth cog, so I reversed the spindle and got 6mm more room which worked. But there's only a few threads on the spindle to secure the crank arm with. I thought both ends of spindles were the same. It's on there but only half threaded on. I checked my other spindles and they all look the same as this one.
The tensioner is used for the 18 tooth cog, 20 doesn't need tension. Shift by hand. With the weight of this thing, it will probably stay in the 39/20 setup.
The tensioner is used for the 18 tooth cog, 20 doesn't need tension. Shift by hand. With the weight of this thing, it will probably stay in the 39/20 setup.
For a 4 inch wide tire, you have to use a wide hub. I tried using a standard width hub and dish it over, but it still couldn't get the low gears. I found a good hub and laced up the wheel again. Next I'll see if the standard width cranks will work, allowing the lowest gear without rubbing. I went with a 190mm hub to get the most width. I'm also going to use disc brakes for the first time.
As usual, I just lace it up, then let the local bike shop true it up. Gotta support the local economy.
I laid out some things to get a better idea of what I was doing. I think I'll have twin bars go all the way back and be part of the dropouts, like seat stays. The floor tiles of my shop gives me a straightedge to determine the clearance of my pedals and the angle of my head tube and seat tube. The rear wheel is sitting right about where it will attach.
The springer could look better as the spring cage looks too small for the 5" wide gap. I have plenty of steel I can use to make a cage that spans the opening there better, and will have room for two springs. I also dug out some dropouts to use. I'm hoping to have the rear part of the frame look good, not like a high school welding project.
The springer could look better as the spring cage looks too small for the 5" wide gap. I have plenty of steel I can use to make a cage that spans the opening there better, and will have room for two springs. I also dug out some dropouts to use. I'm hoping to have the rear part of the frame look good, not like a high school welding project.
I've got disc brakes and adapters ordered, also for the front with an adapter.
I laid out the drops with vice grips after bending the chain stays for the wide rim. I bent them halfway back to make room for the cranks, it's a standard width BB.
It lines up nicely with the stays and the twin bars that will transverse the bike. I had thought of bending the twin bars to fit the 4" tire, but it will clear the tire without bending. That should be better for strength as they will be the seat stays. I just have to brace it at the seat post where there will be a 3"+ gap. Maybe a plate welded in. The twin bars also look like the ends will slide in the existing tubing on the drops, so welding them up should look pretty clean. I may just bolt up the bottom halves instead of welding to get a little adjustment if need be.
Finally for today I checked the fitting of the wheel and it looked good. I finished up at 1100 am, it's too hot already. And I couldn't do any cutting or grinding with clothes hanging up drying in the shop.
I laid out the drops with vice grips after bending the chain stays for the wide rim. I bent them halfway back to make room for the cranks, it's a standard width BB.
It lines up nicely with the stays and the twin bars that will transverse the bike. I had thought of bending the twin bars to fit the 4" tire, but it will clear the tire without bending. That should be better for strength as they will be the seat stays. I just have to brace it at the seat post where there will be a 3"+ gap. Maybe a plate welded in. The twin bars also look like the ends will slide in the existing tubing on the drops, so welding them up should look pretty clean. I may just bolt up the bottom halves instead of welding to get a little adjustment if need be.
Finally for today I checked the fitting of the wheel and it looked good. I finished up at 1100 am, it's too hot already. And I couldn't do any cutting or grinding with clothes hanging up drying in the shop.
You have to love those old truing stands
I still can't do any cutting or grinding, so I laid out some stuff for the springer mod. I had a part wide enough that will work.. It just needs a couple cuts and a few holes drilled. Then a plate for the springs in the front and it should be ready to go. I noticed I need a 1/2" longer bolt for the pivot point when I checked the alignment of the forks.
Clothes are still hanging in the shop, but I know better than to complain. I was able to measure some things and drill some holes to get a look at the plan. It is working out so far. I need to cut the excess off and make sure I have good hardware throughout.
You can see where the pivot bolt needs to be a half inch longer. There's no room for a washer on the acorn nut.
You can see where the pivot bolt needs to be a half inch longer. There's no room for a washer on the acorn nut.
The dropouts fit right into the tubing like I had hoped. They will get welded later when everything else lines up.
I made the cuts to the springer cage and it is almost ready. I'm getting different bolts for the springs, those old ones are threaded all the way and the ends need to be smooth to slide back and forth through the cage. I mocked up the frame and will try to get the wheels on tomorrow.
I made the cuts to the springer cage and it is almost ready. I'm getting different bolts for the springs, those old ones are threaded all the way and the ends need to be smooth to slide back and forth through the cage. I mocked up the frame and will try to get the wheels on tomorrow.
My brakes showed up and the longer bolts were picked up.
My wife has to get the bolts because they can't understand me at the hardware store. They go right into a deer in the headlights mode when I say anything. The wife has no problem, and she's speaking English! They get the bolts or whatever right away. They didn't have 6 1/2 so 7" had to do for the pivot bolt.
I just added a spacer nut to the pivot bolt. Then I used the 6" bolt in the springer as a third bolt down the middle.
The BMX bars are on there just to work with. It'll get apes or moon bars. I put the wheels on and the chain line is good with no monkeying around.
I can get a cluster with a 34 tooth low gear, but 28 should get me low enough with a 32 tooth chain wheel.
The cranks are high enough, and it looks like I'll be able to flatfoot it also.
I still have to find something to attach the twin bars to the seat tube. Then I'll take it apart and take the frame to a tig welder. My local guy on call isn't available anymore.
My wife has to get the bolts because they can't understand me at the hardware store. They go right into a deer in the headlights mode when I say anything. The wife has no problem, and she's speaking English! They get the bolts or whatever right away. They didn't have 6 1/2 so 7" had to do for the pivot bolt.
I just added a spacer nut to the pivot bolt. Then I used the 6" bolt in the springer as a third bolt down the middle.
The BMX bars are on there just to work with. It'll get apes or moon bars. I put the wheels on and the chain line is good with no monkeying around.
I can get a cluster with a 34 tooth low gear, but 28 should get me low enough with a 32 tooth chain wheel.
The cranks are high enough, and it looks like I'll be able to flatfoot it also.
I still have to find something to attach the twin bars to the seat tube. Then I'll take it apart and take the frame to a tig welder. My local guy on call isn't available anymore.
I just got word that the welder will show up this morning. At least I had a couple hours of notice. So I lined up everything and laid it all out up in the garage. Smoke tends to stay down in the shop and the smell doesn't go away, it's partly subterranean. I've got welding rods and tools all ready. Here in the Philippines, a contractor like an electrician or plumber will need your tools for a job. "Do you have a screwdriver and a pair of pliers? And a roll of tape." Then mid morning there is "merienda", a small meal or snack expected to keep them motivated. That's okay by me, I could never afford any professional help in the states.
This bike has changed so much it really isn't Riff Ratt anymore. I need to come up with a new name and paint color. I', thinking of a red orange color sort of like this bike:
This bike has changed so much it really isn't Riff Ratt anymore. I need to come up with a new name and paint color. I', thinking of a red orange color sort of like this bike:
Welding AND grinding!
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I actually dont mind the look of the BMX bars! Love everything your doing and the manner of which! the rear drop outs were a great idea, ive pondered that myself!
Im just curious but over where you live, when you take out your awesome custom bikes do you get like a 2nd,3rd and 4th look at you and the bike!, even here in aussie I take the blue meanie out and I even get fist pumps and "hallelujah's" LOL which is fantastic coz thats what the bike was for... a complete show bike!
Im just curious but over where you live, when you take out your awesome custom bikes do you get like a 2nd,3rd and 4th look at you and the bike!, even here in aussie I take the blue meanie out and I even get fist pumps and "hallelujah's" LOL which is fantastic coz thats what the bike was for... a complete show bike!
I already have a new stem and moon bars and I have a big cushy seat or a large leather seat. I cleaned up the welds with my hand grinder and checked it over. The rear triangle is very solid and is just right for the 190mm hub. Next up is a wire brush for the whole thing.
MattiThundrrr
Rattus All Terrainus
Here in Canada, people clap and cheer when we roll on our tandem
It's a show stopper
@Wildcat I'm sure the locals talk about you wether you are on a bike or not!
In my town here there isn't anywhere decent to ride. My neighborhood is hilly so I'm the only one here with any bikes. In town the traffic is noisy, smoky and congested. Dogs, kids, people, and various types of transportation all fight to get where they are going. Buses and semis come through like mad elephants. Motorcycles weave in and out. The edge of the pavement usually has a drop off of at least a few inches or an open ditch. A lot of road bike clubs ride these roads. Not for me anymore.
There's our old military base, now called a Freeport zone that has some good roads for riding, but it's a 30 minute drive to get there. In the mid 80's when I was stationed here, I rode 5 miles to work and back at the airfield.
In Manila, there are bike clubs for cruisers, lowriders, etc. That's where bikes get noticed. They have some great custom bikes, the locals are known to come up with great ideas. The main transport for most people is the jeepney, created back after WW2 when the jeeps we left here were converted to people movers. Now they are mass produced with a small diesel engine and carry 20 people easily. For about a quarter, you get picked up wherever you stand on the roadside and tap the roof when you want off, no bus stops. I used them when I went to college here back in 2015 before I got a car.
There's our old military base, now called a Freeport zone that has some good roads for riding, but it's a 30 minute drive to get there. In the mid 80's when I was stationed here, I rode 5 miles to work and back at the airfield.
In Manila, there are bike clubs for cruisers, lowriders, etc. That's where bikes get noticed. They have some great custom bikes, the locals are known to come up with great ideas. The main transport for most people is the jeepney, created back after WW2 when the jeeps we left here were converted to people movers. Now they are mass produced with a small diesel engine and carry 20 people easily. For about a quarter, you get picked up wherever you stand on the roadside and tap the roof when you want off, no bus stops. I used them when I went to college here back in 2015 before I got a car.
Back to the bike. The brake levers showed up. I tried on the rotors, the front needed an adapter for the threaded hub. The rotor needs the inside edges filed down to clear the threads of the hub. I added flanges to the fork, it doesn't need them being knee action, it just for looks. That may change if I can't bolt up the calipers. The rear will work fine with an adapter, but for the front I'm hoping to bolt it on right to the fork leg.
I took apart the springer to round all the square rough edges that need it, but can't do any grinding again, clothes hanging up in the shop again. Same with the wire brushing the frame, it'll have to wait.
I took apart the springer to round all the square rough edges that need it, but can't do any grinding again, clothes hanging up in the shop again. Same with the wire brushing the frame, it'll have to wait.
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Cool flange man! I also can relate to sound exclusions, every weekend im unable to grind, cut or even weld before 9am coz the kids may still be asleep, teenage daughters need beauty sleep apparently!
Nobody cares about noise here, Numerous kareoke parties can be heard for miles after midnight in my area. It's a contest to see who has the loudest off key singer. Then the howling dogs get in on the action. Feedback at 2am as the last singer passes out drunk. Hundreds of roosters start crowing about 5am. Work noise starts around 6am because no work gets done when it gets hot in the afternoon. I upgraded the windows in our home because of all that.
In my shop the problem is fumes and dust from grinding and cutting.
