ORBO F4F Wildcat

Wildcat · Wednesday at 6:17 PM

This is a famous WW2 fighter aircraft. My build will pay homage to it.

This will be an offroad BMX styled folding 27.5 bike.

I have many parts ready to go and all laid out getting ready to put it together. My 27.5 rims, hubs, and spokes are on order. As are the cranks, but tires have yet to be ordered. I want to go with 27.5 x 2.4 knobbies.

They worked well on Chrome Molly. I checked the fork and frame for clearance and it's good.

SkyknightJohn · Wednesday at 8:00 PM

Nice plane and nice plan!

metalchewy · Wednesday at 8:47 PM

I love that frame what a cool find!

Bike from the Dead · Wednesday at 9:45 PM

Wildcat builds a Wildcat-themed bike, because why wouldn't you?

Honestly, that's going to be pretty cool to see it all come together. It's got a rugged, utilitarian vibe, just like the Grumman F4F Wildcat itself. I think you've got a plan! Go for it!

Tintmanpa · Wednesday at 10:37 PM

Wildcat said:
View attachment 285667
This is a famous WW2 fighter aircraft. My build will pay homage to it.

This will be an offroad BMX styled folding 27.5 bike.
View attachment 285669

I have many parts ready to go and all laid out getting ready to put it together. My 27.5 rims, hubs, and spokes are on order. As are the cranks, but tires have yet to be ordered. I want to go with 27.5 x 2.4 knobbies.

View attachment 285668

They worked well on Chrome Molly. I checked the fork and frame for clearance and it's good.
View attachment 285670 View attachment 285671

I’m looking forward to seeing this come together

Wildcat · Wednesday at 10:49 PM

You wouldn't belive how little that frame cost, 400 pesos, less than 8 bucks. 9 bucks shipping. I ordered two more, but in the 20" size. They have a few more 27.5, but I can't have that much stuff show up at once, I'll wait a few weeks then buy more if they still have them.

Screenshot 2025-01-02 at 12-13-20 Aluminum Alloy Folding Bike Frame - 20er_27.5er for Adults S...png

The new press worked great, no more hammering in cups! I also upgraded the shop with my old desk chair.

Different handlebars are already on order, even with shims these didn't work. New bars have a 160mm rise. The fork went in perfectly.

Screenshot 2025-01-02 at 12-23-27 BUCKLOS 120_160mm Bike Riser Handlebar 25.4mm Handlebar 580m...png

I'm using a standard spindle, one end is slightly longer so I can adjust the chain wheel alignment by reversing it. The chain line should be good.

Wildcat · Thursday at 6:51 AM

Spokes, hubs, and seatpost arrived. The rims should be in tomorrow and I'll start lacing up the wheels. 27.5 x 2.4 tires and tubes are ordered.

I looked for the longest seat post because of the usual short seat tube on folders, but this frame is 16" so I have plenty of seat post left over.

metalchewy · Thursday at 7:57 PM

I saw a bike on another forum over the holidays, that had double front and double rear fat tires.

I'll be danged if I can find I again. ( sounding like an old guy)

When I see it again will post it up. It had the hubs joined together with a single axle and a tire on each wheel

Wildcat · Thursday at 8:07 PM

All done to avoid buying a kickstand!

metalchewy · Thursday at 8:09 PM

Wildcat said:
All done to avoid buying a kickstand!

View attachment 285795

That's it!

Wildcat · Thursday at 8:20 PM

metalchewy said:
That's it!

I had posted that in the "who's in" thread here just a week or two ago.

I was able to use another new tool to set the top thing in the headset. It worked much easier than channel locks.

metalchewy · Thursday at 8:39 PM

Wildcat said:
I had posted that in the "who's in" thread here just a week or two ago.

Hehe, one place I didn't look.

Wildcat said:
I was able to use another new tool to set the top thing in the headset. It worked much easier than channel locks.
View attachment 285796

A tool to push that star nut in? Curious, which tool you picked up for that? I've usually used a bolt and a mallet

Wildcat · Thursday at 9:20 PM

This thing is called a star nut setter:

Wildcat · Thursday at 10:34 PM

I've never had to deal with a derailleur hangar. How do you know which one is right for your frame?

Wildcat · 2025-01-03T04:09:06-0600

I asked my neighborhood bike shop about the derailleur hangar. They will grind a hangar down to fit, if need be. I'll run the frame by them this week.
Lacing up the rims today, I spent 4 hours trying to get spokes to work that were too long. I checked my old stock and I had enough of the right size (same as 26") unopened in the bag.
27.5 has a diameter of 584mm, but my dished rim erd diameter was only 542mm. And with the large flange hubs, needed shorter spokes. I should have remeasured. Now I've got more spokes in stock for next time.

MattiThundrrr · 2025-01-03T13:50:26-0600

metalchewy said:
I've usually used a bolt and a mallet

I've seen it done with a socket and a bolt, but it's not as cool as Wildcat's doohickey

Wildcat · 2025-01-03T21:05:23-0600

The wheels were laced up in no time with the right spokes. The wife contracted to have shelving installed in the back of the shop! I wonder if they are for my use. I'm not betting on it. The wheels are ready to go for truing and the bike will get a derailleur hanger and some headset spacers.
First vid of the build off!

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