2 bikes into 1... tandem build?

[Craiggo]

I have this awesome uncle that has a history of building things that are unusual. for example, his 8ft tall "super flyer, or his oversized shopping carts. i told him to keep his eye out for any tandems at a recent car show and swap meet. that is when he offered that I come over to his place and bring a couple bike frames. I though, why not consider it. I am now here asking any of you if there have been any tandem from scratch builds. I have these two schwinn boy/girl frames lying around. both early 50's (corvette/american)

 

[Craiggo]

Ive always liked these frames alot. I think i would try to use this styling.

 

[deven_science]

I've tried it. It's doable, I think, but mine was a fail. The main thing I can pass on is that a tandem is longer than the two frames put together. The two people on mine were on top of each other. Most factory tandems add about 6 inches of extra space between them.

 

[dragnusa]

Cant wait to see this build. Ive got 2 ten speed frames laying around ive been thinking of doing that with.

 

[Craiggo]

I also have some extra road bike schwinns, but I think I would like the looks of a 50's tandem more than a 70's. Just personal preference I guess. Any handmade tandem is impressive though. I am sorry that yours was a fail I think that my uncle would be key to making this work well. Only trying would lead to results haha. I hope to do this in the fall, or just after I finish my build off bike. Who knows thanks!
-Craig

 

[skillsthebarber]

Here's a pic of one that a lbs made from 2 men's schwinns

 

[Philphine]

I've tried it. It's doable, I think, but mine was a fail. The main thing I can pass on is that a tandem is longer than the two frames put together. The two people on mine were on top of each other. Most factory tandems add about 6 inches of extra space between them.

i'm trying it now and have this problem. for me though it was kind of intentional and i may wish i had added a few more inches.

the original idea was to use a king/queen motorcycle seat, but it put the two riders way too close, so i split them up, but still tried to keep them as close together as possible. i've never had two people on it at the same time (just me test riding, then sitting on the back with it in a stationary exerciser), but it looks like the height range bettween driver and stoker is going to be limited and will have to match pretty well.

i should also add that while at one point i started to use two bikes, i ended up stetching one.

 

[Walker]

I'm getting ready to almost do what you're planning, except I'm cutting up a perfectly good tandem to make a different tandem.

 

[yoothgeye]

I hope you do this, but yeah, make sure it's long enough. My old Huffy tandem frame actually seems shorter than 2 frames put together! haha I'll see when I get it put together, but as it looks now it's going to be a tight fit for 2.

 

[outskirtscustoms]

I have two JC Higgins women's flightliners that I am thinking of making a Tandem out of.

 

[dragnusa]

With the one I have been thinking of building I planned to use a single gear sprocket on the front but a 10 speed sprocket on the second bike. I'm thinking that should workbut others input would be great

 

[yoothgeye]

With the one I have been thinking of building I planned to use a single gear sprocket on the front but a 10 speed sprocket on the second bike. I'm thinking that should workbut others input would be great

That's the way my Huffy was originally set up and how I will put it back together using cheap mountain bike sprockets.

 

[aka_locojoe]

I built one from 2 MTBs. There are tons of older homemade tandems out there.

 

[dragnusa]

With the one I have been thinking of building I planned to use a single gear sprocket on the front but a 10 speed sprocket on the second bike. I'm thinking that should workbut others input would be great

That's the way my Huffy was originally set up and how I will put it back together using cheap mountain bike sprockets.

Does it still have a tensioner for the front chain?

 

[yoothgeye]

Does it still have a tensioner for the front chain?

Unless you get lucky on chain length a tensioner will be needed on the timing chain.

 

[Philphine]

With the one I have been thinking of building I planned to use a single gear sprocket on the front but a 10 speed sprocket on the second bike. I'm thinking that should workbut others input would be great

i did that on mine, but i get a bit of chain interference. it could be because i'm using a front freewheel sprocket as the joining sprocket (so the rear rider doesn't have to pedal. was gonna use two but one had messed up threads). it seems to have more play than a regular fixed sprocket and that could be messing me up some. i really need to get two people on it and/or take some longer rides to see how big a problem it might be.

edit: i should add i also don't have an idler on it yet. i'm working on another part of the build and haven't put it on. maybe taking away a bit of the slop might help me.

 

[Sinner4]

My Chain Tensioner. i just replaced the stock cog for that Rat Rod Look.
Just make a hang down bracket. I think all tandems need a ever bit a half cog slack you should need a Tensioner on it.

 

[yoothgeye]

I made a tensioner from a skateboard wheel for one of my tall bikes and it bothered me that you could feel the chain "thumping" over the wheel.

 

[Sinner4]

I made a tensioner from a skateboard wheel for one of my tall bikes and it bothered me that you could feel the chain "thumping" over the wheel.

Same with the origional cog, I used a derailur on my tall bike and it works with little noise.

 

[Craiggo]

Hahaha, I didn't think this was an idea that was in many heads. I've been wrong before! I feel like the tensioner would bother me that it would make the noise. I have quite a few unused rear hub sprockets, maybe I could take one of those to make it a smoother tensioner...