ORBO RooGoose

GTHOtrod · Jan 4, 2025

This build is going to be an Australian take on the Moosegoose.
Chopping up this XXL 27.5 Apollo, to create a mini velo bmx in the spirit of the Mongoose Moosegoose.

Pondo · Jan 4, 2025

Oh, this is going to be cool!

Captain Awesome · Jan 4, 2025

GTHOtrod · Jan 6, 2025

Starting off today by extending the steer tube on some old bmx forks.

Set up in the lathe to machine a spigot to fit inside the bmx fork

I'll add some weld and that will have the fork sorted.

Then I cut the frame apart,to start working on the new dimensions, raising the bottom bracket significantly to suit the 20" wheels.
I'm loosely basing the geometry on a 26" cruiser so it'll be comfortable to cruise around on.

GTHOtrod · Jan 7, 2025

Today's progress was to weld the fork, so i could get the assembled length.
Then machined the new head tube to size, to suit the fork.
The old lathe makes light work of facing tubes.

GTHOtrod · Jan 7, 2025

Modified some old bmx drop outs to suit, then welded together the main frame.

I threw a few parts at it to get a visualisation at this point. Pretty happy with the look

Pondo · Jan 8, 2025

Pretty sweet so far!

GTHOtrod · Jan 8, 2025

Added V brake bosses and the down tube today.
Was very close to cutting the brake bosses off the fork, to run old school calipers. But for now V brakes have won.
Then spent a bit of time stripping the frame to bare metal.
No idea on a colour scheme at this point, yet to be decided

ChaOs · Jan 8, 2025

GTHOtrod said:
No idea on a colour scheme at this point, yet to be decided

You seem to be working with cables so how about strings?

GTHOtrod · Jan 9, 2025

ChaOs said:
You seem to be working with cables so how about strings?

Making a new wiring harness for my hot rod, in the back ground. Giving it a full rewire.

ChaOs · Jan 9, 2025

GTHOtrod said:
Making a new wiring harness for my hot rod, in the back ground. Giving it a full rewire. View attachment 286266

That's a job I even mess up on the bike...

OddJob · Jan 10, 2025

GTHOtrod · Jan 11, 2025

Sprayed the forks black, then immediately regretted it. I thought 'that looked so much better in bare metal'.
So I gave the frame a coat of penetrol to seal it, then started adding some components. Trying out a mixture of red and gold.

GTHOtrod · Jan 12, 2025

Stripped the fork back to metal and coated with penetrol.

Cleaned up and painted the headset. This will be a first for me. Never had a bike with a gyro, but always wanted one as a youngster. I salvaged these bits from a couple donor bikes.

Installed the bearing cups and fork.

Removed the bottom bracket for a clean and grease, then installed with the crankset. Pedals and chainring are take off from my Monza.

Also added a bmx style seat post clamp onto the seat post. This frame has an integrated clamp. But it needed extra bmxyness.

Looking like a bike

Off the stand for now. Waiting on parts.
Ordered new tyres, seat, chain etc. This morning

Pondo · Jan 12, 2025

Very nicely done! Looks like it will be a ton of fun too!

Bike from the Dead · Jan 12, 2025

That's one slick velo bike there! I think you're doing a stellar job so far!

OddJob · Jan 12, 2025

Dayyyyyammmnnnn!

twojs.bike · Jan 12, 2025

GTHOtrod said:
headset. This will be a first for me. Never had a bike with a gyro, but always wanted one as a youngster. I salvaged these bits from a couple donor bikes

Do you need to add cable stops to the head tube for the gyro to work? I have only removed gyros. Never added one so I am not sure. You also might need a hollow bolt for the stem to run the front brake cable through.

GTHOtrod · Jan 12, 2025

twojs.bike said:
Do you need to add cable stops to the head tube for the gyro to work? I have only removed gyros. Never added one so I am not sure. You also might need a hollow bolt for the stem to run the front brake cable through.

One of the donor bikes had a stop the fits under the headset. Very handy peice. Also this stem has a hollow bolt, been saving it for such an opportunity.
I did run into an issue with the gyro cables. I thought I would be able to extend the cable to the rear simply by dropping a new inner into the housing, but it's all made in one peice, two into one. So I might need to purchase new gyro cables.

Captain Awesome · Jan 12, 2025

GTHOtrod said:
One of the donor bikes had a stop the fits under the headset. Very handy peice. Also this stem has a hollow bolt, been saving it for such an opportunity.
I did run into an issue with the gyro cables. I thought I would be able to extend the cable to the rear simply by dropping a new inner into the housing, but it's all made in one peice, two into one. So I might need to purchase new gyro cables.

Yeah, you’ll have a challenge with cables for that rear

I see you’re running V brake. If you had U brake you could probably fashion up a dual cable setup from the bottom gyro back. Would need cable stops on the frame somewhere but could be an option

Look up dual cable London mods

ORBO RooGoose

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