ORBO T6 Texan

Wildcat · Jan 8, 2025

I have another new frame. In keeping with my WW2 aircraft theme, this bright yellow frame will be a tribute to the T6 trainer planes from WW2.

I have a pile of parts to pick from with a bunch of new stuff also. This may be a 26" bike even though it's made for 27.5 wheels. Forks and handlebars are on order.

Wildcat · Jan 9, 2025

I pressed in the headset cups and learned a couple things. Do one cup at a time and don't apply any pressure to the bearings. This set has the bearings set in so they won't come out. I used the flat ends of the press, not the concave. I used one concave end on the bare frame when pressing in the first cup to keep it aligned.

metalchewy · Jan 9, 2025

I love your cool tools. I didn't know that about the sealed cup bearings. Great to know.

Wildcat · Jan 10, 2025

I had some parts show up today, so the Texan has a BB, forks and stem. Black red and yellow already match up to the T6 plane. I got to use another cool tool. No more damage from the hammering of parts.

Wildcat · Jan 12, 2025

As I feared, 27.5 x 2.4 is too large for the frame.

I could order a set of 2.125 tires of the same kind or use what's in the shop. There are no other 27.5 tires, so it will be 26" wheels like the other build. instead of making new wheels I'll use what's laying around. 57mm wheels with coaster hub and a pair of gumwall style 2.125 tires. I'm pretty sure the 26 x 3.0 tires are too large. I check it tomorrow. The width of the coaster hub might be a problem as the frame is aluminum alloy.

metalchewy · Jan 12, 2025

Wildcat said:
As I feared, 27.5 x 2.4 is too large for the frame.
View attachment 286517

I could order a set of 2.125 tires of the same kind or use what's in the shop. There are no other 27.5 tires, so it will be 26" wheels like the other build. instead of making new wheels I'll use what's laying around. 57mm wheels with coaster hub and a pair of gumwall style 2.125 tires. I'm pretty sure the 26 x 3.0 tires are too large. I check it tomorrow. The width of the coaster hub might be a problem as the frame is aluminum alloy.
View attachment 286518

I understand your concern, I had a little luck expanding aluminum stays about 1/2 inch. But ended up breaking a stay at the cross support weld when trying to get to 1". That frame is still in my parts pile.

Bike from the Dead · Jan 12, 2025

Awesome theme for that Trooper! Are you adding custom decals to make it resemble a T6 more, or just leaving the frame as-is and using the parts you add on to tie into the theme?

Wildcat · Jan 12, 2025

I'm going to have some vinyl decals made up of insignia, mainly the big star and some lettering that will cover up everything but leave some red striping like the T6 has.

Screenshot 2025-01-10 at 07-26-58 Air Force RC Insignia Sticker Pack 1947 US National Insignia...png

I have another plan for wheels. I'm going to Mullet both of these folders I'm building, because I have two 26" wheels and two 27.5 wheels, both with the same kind of tires. 27.5 fits the forks and the 26 will go in the rear. I just have to swap a couple hubs. I got the idea from a post here somewhere last month. I can't find it now. Like this, only 27.5" and 26".

Wildcat · Jan 12, 2025

So here is the wheelset, I just need to swap the hubs. I enjoy lacing up wheels the same as little old ladies like knitting. I'll sit in the AC with some refreshments and Pink Floyd and get the job done. I also have a stem coming that will work with the 22.2 BMX handlebars.

Bike from the Dead · Jan 12, 2025

Wildcat said:
So here is the wheelset, I just need to swap the hubs. I enjoy lacing up wheels the same as little old ladies like knitting. I'll sit in the AC with some refreshments and Pink Floyd and get the job done. I also have a stem coming that will work with the 22.2 BMX handlebars.
View attachment 286551

I need to learn how to lace and true my own wheels at some point. The way you described it sounds just as relaxing as drawing bikes is for me. Heck, I was just listening to Dark Side of the Moon just yesterday. That was like my go-to album for working on my art back in college.

Wildcat · Jan 12, 2025

Bike from the Dead said:
I need to learn how to lace and true my own wheels at some point. The way you described it sounds just as relaxing as drawing bikes is for me. Heck, I was just listening to Dark Side of the Moon just yesterday. That was like my go-to album for working on my art back in college.

I had to travel to Oahu last year to get a stent fixed. In the MRI thing they provided headphones and I requested Pink Floyd. They played the greatest hits and I was able to stay still for 45 minutes. They said they had it turned up in the lab also. I saw them live in 77. :41:

I learned to lace wheels during covid. I should have learned years ago because it's easy. I used a video on youtube that made it easy. Most of the vids talk forever and are confusing, but I found one right to the point. No boloney. It has the word bs in the title so I can't post the link.

Bike from the Dead · Jan 12, 2025

Wildcat said:
I had to travel to Oahu last year to get a stent fixed. In the MRI thing they provided headphones and I requested Pink Floyd. They played the greatest hits and I was able to stay still for 45 minutes. They said they had it turned up in the lab also. I saw them live in 77.

Haha! Keeping everybody relaxed! I remember going to the dentist years ago to get a cavity fixed, and after they gave me that anesthesia and asked how I felt, I replied "just like the Pink Floyd song: Comfortably Numb!" Got him to crack up at that!

Wildcat said:
I learned to lace wheels during covid. I should have learned years ago because it's easy. I used a video on youtube that made it easy. Most of the vids talk forever and are confusing, but I found one right to the point. No boloney. It has the word bs in the title so I can't post the link.

I think I know which video you're talking about. The rest of the title says "How to build a 36 spoke wheel," right? I actually saved that one to my computer years ago, but someone here said they laced it backwards? I don't know if that's right or not, but at some point I need to try it. I imagine it'd be fairly straightforward if you're just replacing a few bent spokes of the same length, but as for building custom wheels when I have no idea what size of spoke I need for the hubs and rims I have? How do you even do that?

Wildcat · Jan 12, 2025

I knew the MRI was almost over because my favorite solo came up on Comfortably Numb. I was right and missed most of it but I was happy to get out of the tube.

It's an Australian girl narrating and lacing a red BMX wheel. I've used that way of lacing on numerous wheels.

The hub and rim need the same number of spoke holes. Left side hub spokes go to left side holes on the rim, right to right. 3 cross pattern is the norm. Once you lace one up it's simple. To get the right spokes, I use this calculator:

https://www.prowheelbuilder.com/spokelengthcalculator

I enter the measurements and how many spokes. The name brand and all isn't necessary unless you know it, then the measurements are in the system. Then 3 cross or 4 cross to see what the length of the spokes should be. 2 cross also has worked so I use the spokes I have on hand first. Each pattern will be a different length, so I check the different cross patterns to see if I have spokes already. The spoke doesn't have to be the exact mm in length, a couple mm either way can work.

Bike from the Dead · Jan 12, 2025

Wildcat said:
I knew the MRI was almost over because my favorite solo came up on Comfortably Numb. I was right and missed most of it but I was happy to get out of the tube.

It's an Australian girl narrating and lacing a red BMX wheel. I've used that way of lacing on numerous wheels.

Okay, then we're talking about the same video.

Wildcat said:
The hub and rim need the same number of spoke holes. Left side hub spokes go to left side holes on the rim, right to right. 3 cross pattern is the norm. Once you lace one up it's simple. To get the right spokes, I use this calculator:

https://www.prowheelbuilder.com/spokelengthcalculator

I enter the measurements and how many spokes. The name brand and all isn't necessary unless you know it, then the measurements are in the system. Then 3 cross or 4 cross to see what the length of the spokes should be. 2 cross also has worked so I use the spokes I have on hand first. Each pattern will be a different length, so I check the different cross patterns to see if I have spokes already. The spoke doesn't have to be the exact mm in length, a couple mm either way can work.

Alright, thanks! That's super helpful! I've got a bunch of 24 inch wheels I took apart years ago, and I still have all the hoops, hubs and spokes. I've been meaning to reassemble them with the best parts, so I think those would be good to practice with first. I've also got at least one loose 3-speed coaster brake hub I've been meaning to use on something, so maybe I can finally get around to building a wheel for that. Thanks for the tips! If I have anymore questions on building wheels, I know who to ask!

Wildcat · Jan 13, 2025

The wheels are relaced and ready to go for truing at the shop. These both use the same 258mm spokes, even though the 27.5 rim is larger. The 26" wheel is laced up 4 cross, the 27.5 is laced 3 cross. The more crosses require a longer spoke to reach.

Another mullet in the works!

Irontri · Jan 13, 2025

Wildcat said:
I'm going to have some vinyl decals made up of insignia, mainly the big star and some lettering that will cover up everything but leave some red striping like the T6 has.
View attachment 286545

I have another plan for wheels. I'm going to Mullet both of these folders I'm building, because I have two 26" wheels and two 27.5 wheels, both with the same kind of tires. 27.5 fits the forks and the 26 will go in the rear. I just have to swap a couple hubs. I got the idea from a post here somewhere last month. I can't find it now. Like this, only 27.5" and 26".
View attachment 286544

That’s called a staggered wheel set. I build them all the time for the custom bike world.

MattiThundrrr · Jan 13, 2025

The mullet term comes from mountain bikers

Irontri · Jan 13, 2025

MattiThundrrr said:
The mullet term comes from mountain bikersView attachment 286579

Yet a staggered wheel set has been a thing since before mtbs existed. It was from the chopper (bike and motorcycle) world.

twojs.bike · Jan 13, 2025

MattiThundrrr said:
The mullet term comes from mountain bikersView attachment 286579

Wow! Really? Too cool. I just learned something new.

Wildcat · Jan 13, 2025

twojs.bike said:
Wow! Really? Too cool. I just learned something new.

Same here, I never knew about that term until the other day looking for info.

ORBO T6 Texan

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