I don't think that is the guy you need to ask about borrowing a tear drop design feature on a bicycle...
...but, I think you're okay, the patent expired long ago
...
BO15 a short "Sketchy" ride video.
- Thread starter GuitarlCarl
- Start date
Help Support Rat Rod Bikes Bicycle Forum:
...but, I think you're okay, the patent expired long ago
...
Big Box Hardware store steel tubing is usually 0.065” wall, and up to 1/2” OD is relatively easy to bend. I’ve used conduit benders, but wouldn’t get the amount of arc you need. 3/4” is tough, 1” very tough. Thin wall from bike tube or aircraft spruce has always buckled on me.
I’ve seen a number for folks (Recycled Recumbents, Atomic Zombie, for example) use conduit, which bends easier, and is budget friendly, you just have to be careful of the galvanizing when welding.
I’ve seen a number for folks (Recycled Recumbents, Atomic Zombie, for example) use conduit, which bends easier, and is budget friendly, you just have to be careful of the galvanizing when welding.
Slick
I went Googling and I'm pretty sure mild steel will hold up in a teardrop shape. But I may price up a couple sticks of cromoly just to see. I actually haven't even checked if the steel yard is open... I'm thinking 3/4" should be plenty and match up to the existing frame well enough. I've also got to polish off all the walnut Minwax I rubbed into the frame, so it can all patina together.
Last thought, I wonder if I tack it together, can I get a weld shop to braze it to match the old frame? Hmm, I haven't done any brazing since High School... Class of '78
GC.
Last thought, I wonder if I tack it together, can I get a weld shop to braze it to match the old frame? Hmm, I haven't done any brazing since High School... Class of '78
GC.
Still looking for advice on the type of steel tubing I should be looking for.
and...
I need to sort out a drive train, I don't know if I'll keep it skiptooth or not. Front tire will likely stay skinny, I do like that dragster look. But I have no idea what back wheel I'll be using. All other accoutrements are on the chopping block as well. The cymbal parts will probably end up on a guitar down the road. The ratty Delta headlight is out, as is the little airplane that sits on the crossbar. My pinstriper buddy has been noticing that he hasn't done any of my bikes so there's that...
The sheet of plywood is for some pieces for a beekeeper I know. I gotta get on that so the leftovers can be used for my bender. All in good time. I should hook up the 220v in my other garage and move my big ARC welder and the MIG I inherited over there, so I don't have to 110v wire feed this.
There's things I love on this one too and I can't afford one of those full custom frames like a couple of the Taildraggers have. So I'll continue to modify and upgrade bikes I have until it is a full custom frame.or I sell a couple three or four... I miss seeing you both.
GC.
Those curves are pretty tight... at least with a tubing roller. A plywood buck / bender might be easier? You know I’ll be watching. Tubing, I’d go with mild steel the same diameter as your top tube. I’ve had good results with .049” wall filled with sand (or salt) while bending.
Yep I'm building a buck and I knew about the trick with sand, I use salt because it's cheap and easy to handle, just pour it out of the container. Good advice about the diameter matching the top tube. I just wanted a real builder to confirm everything I've been reading online. Thanks my friend.
GC.
That is gonna be pretty cool mixing your Neutron with the vibe from Art's Bombita rear end.
Progress but nothing to show.
Neutrino is still in one piece but I've got a good start on the bee keepers pieces. That will free up some space and provide some plywood for the bender.
GC.
Neutrino is still in one piece but I've got a good start on the bee keepers pieces. That will free up some space and provide some plywood for the bender.
GC.
I'm thinking a bigger teardrop and probably putting the dropouts on the inside. But yep that's the general idea...
GC
It's also got a look to it that reminds me of your last buildoff bike but without the fiberglass shroud. I've got a set of triple trees too, but the truss rod fork on that Hawthorne is just too cool not to use. So it's gonna be a "Dragster Bombita" with a skinny up front. The rear hub though is still up in the air. Something multi speed with brakes. It may be time to make the jump to a Nexus. I also can't get the dually idea out of my head, but I need to get a good look at one or two. I do like the suicide shifter mounting point on that blue bike you found...
GC.
The Renaissance Man
__CERTIFIED DIVER__ (Open Water & Open Dumpster)
Staff member
Moderator
Pro Member
I'm liking the mock up. Should be cool when you get the bender worked out.
It's my understanding that cromoly is very difficult to bend. Might want to check into that before buying any tubing. I think it's also expensive.
It's my understanding that cromoly is very difficult to bend. Might want to check into that before buying any tubing. I think it's also expensive.
Thank you. I'm pretty sure I'll just be using mild steel. I need to get off my couch and get working on it but I've been having so much fun working on a few different guitars...
GC.
Cool guitars! I especially like that butcher block looking one!
Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk
and THAT is why I'm never in the top ten...Lookin' good Carl. Now build a bike.
This ain't the rat rod guitar build off
GC.
It's recycled cedar from a deck, I bought this body, but I'd like to do some similar ones in the future. I'm passively looking for a used tabletop planer. It's the last piece of equipment I need to be able to create guitar bodies from scratch...
GC.
Well, you've made some of my top 10 bikes!and THAT is why I'm never in the top ten...
GC.
