** BILLET BULLET ** RRBBO#4

[sprucemoose]

Re: BILLET BULLIT (changed my mind again) may 25th

I like where you're taking this! I wasn't sure what was gonna happen in the beginning--s'pose I still don't, but I really love all this metal work you're doin. nice work.

 

[deorman]

Re: BILLET BULLIT (changed my mind again) may 25th

For tire sizing, see Uncle Sheldon: http://www.sheldonbrown.com/tire-sizing.html

another tire link: http://www.biketiresdirect.com/a117/tir ... rticle.htm

Look for a set of numbers on your tire or rim w/2 digits, a dash then 3 digits-ex. a 26"x2" ATB tire would be marked 52-559, 28"x1 3/4"-47-622. The 3 digit part is what describes the rim it fits. Some 28" wheels are 30-635 or 40-635. 30-630 is known as 27". Those marked 622 can use 700c tires. Those marked 635 use 700b. Pulling out hair yet? Unfortunately not all wheels and tires are marked this way. Good luck my friend. :?

 

[herr_rudolf]

Re: BILLET BULLIT (changed my mind again) may 25th

I like where you're taking this! I wasn't sure what was gonna happen in the beginning--s'pose I still don't, but I really love all this metal work you're doin. nice work.

Haha thanks Sprucemoose! I wasn't sure what was gonna happen either... Slowly but surely I'm getting there. The only thing I planned was the bed of the rack made out of ribbed aluminum. I have several bikes waiting to be overhauled, but thought the mixte would be the easiest fix'r-upper. (the most complete bike that wasn't build yet.)

I think the metalwork/fabrication that I'm doin' isn't that hard to do. In fact, ...it's relatively easy compared to a lot of other stuff that's going on around here. But I really have fun doing it. It feels like I'm finaly allowed to play with my LEGO'S or my Mecano again : - )

For tire sizing, see Uncle Sheldon: http://www.sheldonbrown.com/tire-sizing.html

another tire link: http://www.biketiresdirect.com/a117/tir ... rticle.htm

Look for a set of numbers on your tire or rim w/2 digits, a dash then 3 digits-ex. a 26"x2" ATB tire would be marked 52-559, 28"x1 3/4"-47-622. The 3 digit part is what describes the rim it fits. Some 28" wheels are 30-635 or 40-635. 30-630 is known as 27". Those marked 622 can use 700c tires. Those marked 635 use 700b. Pulling out hair yet? Unfortunately not all wheels and tires are marked this way. Good luck my friend. :?

Hey, thank you guys, for those links and info. I really appreciate that. Not that I'm any wiser by now... : - /
Well actually, I am! : - )
Although the 'technical' english language is a bit hard to comprehend, but I think I'm beginning to understand how to choose the right replacement tires, but more importantly, I'm now beginning to understand why 26inch doesn't have to be exactly 26inch... I understand now that a 26inch tire could well be a 24inch !!! 8 - ( Not that I'm liking it... It narrows down the choice of tires that wasn't exactly broad to begin with...

Wednesday I'll make some time to visit some bikestores to see if they carry 28 - 622
or a 19 - 622
or a 700 x 20c (28 x 3/4)

: - S

 

[herr_rudolf]

Re: BILLET BULLIT (changed my mind again) may 25th

Here you have it: My sollution for the the bracket incorporating the quickrelease-handle.

My build seems to consist of brackets exlusively! Well... I kinda have fun making them. A big fat feeling of sattisfaction is what I get when my homemade parts fit, do their job, and look good doing it.

(Oh, and please excuse me for posting every little sigh-and-fart of progression of this build. (dutch expression) I love building and I love documenting it : - ) I really enjoy extensive photo-documentation of builds I came across while browsing this forum and I just hope you all enjoy mine.)

 

[deorman]

Re: BILLET BULLIT (changed my mind again) may 25th

Nice. 8)

 

[Gold Street Customs]

Re: BILLET BULLIT (a bracket for my bracket...) may 26th

I wouldn't apoligize for nothing, the documentation is wonderful......just look at how many views you have, proof is in the pudding, thats what my grandma used to say :wink:

 

[deorman]

Re: BILLET BULLIT (a bracket for my bracket...) may 26th

Perhaps you should have called it "bracket racket". :lol:

 

[aka_locojoe]

Re: BILLET BULLIT (a bracket for my bracket...) may 26th

Your documentation is great.

 

[karfer67]

Re: BILLET BULLIT (a bracket for my bracket...) may 26th

deorman i thought the same thing. and no worries in posting pics there are just some this year who are choosing to wait a bit longer or like me let it out in drips here and there

 

[fartknocker]

Re: BILLET BULLIT (a bracket for my bracket...) may 26th

Anxious to see every new pic you put up. Everything looks incredible!

 

[Skipton]

Re: BILLET BULLIT (a bracket for my bracket...) may 26th

Bike looks great. I really enjoy the documentation
NICE WORK!

 

[Galtbacken]

Re: BILLET BULLIT (a bracket for my bracket...) may 26th

Those wheel/tire-sizes are a big jungle of numbers!! I bought the wrong tires for my first build. I knew the wheels were 26" so I bought big fat tires that said 26". Only thing was the wheels were 559 and the tires 585 (I think or 583, don't remember...). And now on the J.B.40. I knew the wheels were 28" and I did the fender molds to fit 622 (700c) cause I thought that was the only 28" there is and then it turns out the wheels are 635. :roll:
Anyway, great job on the bike and the documentation!

 

[N8NBOX]

Re: BILLET BULLIT (a bracket for my bracket...) may 26th

hows the bike coming along?

 

[herr_rudolf]

Re: BILLET BULLIT (a bracket for my bracket...) may 26th

Perhaps you should have called it "bracket racket". :lol:

That did pop into my head when I was typing my post... : - )

Anxious to see every new pic you put up. Everything looks incredible!

Thanks mr. fartknocker, aka_locojoe, karfer67, Skipton, and Galtbacken, for the props on my documentation. I find it really fun to keep up a build diary. Ever since I got my digital camera I keep archiving EVERYTHING that's happening around me : - ) I've been doing that with my paintings and now ofcourse with the build. I enjoy reading pic-heavy posts with lot's of how-to pics like some of you are doing or have done before. So, keep it up!

Those wheel/tire-sizes are a big jungle of numbers!! I bought the wrong tires for my first build. I knew the wheels were 26" so I bought big fat tires that said 26". Only thing was the wheels were 559 and the tires 585 (I think or 583, don't remember...). And now on the J.B.40. I knew the wheels were 28" and I did the fender molds to fit 622 (700c) cause I thought that was the only 28" there is and then it turns out the wheels are 635. :roll:
Anyway, great job on the bike and the documentation!

Thanks. Yeah... for a few moments I thought I was losing my mind. But there was this other thing about tires that I find strange. In holland we have these so-called Oma-fietsen (=Grannybikes) They come standard with '28inch' wheels that are wider than other bikes of Dutch origin. I could understand the competitive commercial reason behind selling 26inch tires as 27inch tires. (these so-called 27 inch tires are ofcourse lighter in weight than 'normal' 27 inch tires) But the Grannybike tires... I just don't get that.

But what exactly happened with the molds of your build? I guess I'll have to read that in your post. And that I'll do : - )

 

[herr_rudolf]

Re: BILLET BULLIT (I've painted my tires...) may 29th

So... round #2 in search of tires that'll fit my wheels and fenders. I needed a 19-622 (28inch) but all the regular stores didn't sell them. Some were even puzzled by how skinny it was. Their advice: Go to a specialiststore.
And so I did...
The guy behind the counter almost laughed at me when I mentioned the measurements. He said: 'But sir, that tire... 19mm... thats like, ANCIENT HISTORY' The standard racetire nowadays is 23mm. Yeah, I knew that already. Learned it while visiting every bikestore in town... I did find one onlinestore that carries a 20mm tire. However, to make things much easier I've decided to 'retire' my old tire and go with the 23mm's. It broadens my choice. There are a lot of beatiful racetires on the market. Very colorful. Would be nice to use some colorcoded ones.
The guy in the store was very friendly and told me about a discount on some Vredensteins. Although they had some great colours I went for all blacks. I asked for whitelines but they were sold out just a day before my visit. And I really want the redlines too, for another build...

Anyway...

Look at the difference between a 19-622 (l) and a 23-622 (r) :

Although goodlooking, it just didn't fit the fender. I knew that that was going to happen so I redrilled some brackets and tweaked the frontfender a bit. That was a lot of work. It's not perfect, but definately better than before. And ofcourse I had to find a 'matching' reartire. Problem is, in Holland it's illegal to ride without side-reflection (but prostitution and marihuana is legal...) so 99% of the tires that are being sold overhere come standard with a reflective line. Can be cool, but are way to common to use as a backtire. On photo's it looks like thin whitewall/line but it just isn't...

So, I painted it black. Yesyes, I know of the dangers painting rubber, but it worked! I did one side for the photoshoot en left the other just to compare. The tire is a Dutch standard 28inch (whatever that means nowadays... ; - ) On this bike it seems kinda beefy, compared to the front tire. So far so good.

And as you can see, I've painted my spokes chalkboard black. So, now my Billet Bullet has finaly become a RAT! ; - )
But I wouldn't be Herr Rudolf if it wasn't for a good reason ofcourse... It has always bugged me to see the (partial) shiny spokes. It made the wheel areas a bit cluthered with all that extra alloy . The flatblack reduces reflection to a minimum making all the homebuild shiny bits getting all the attention they deserve.

I'm finally beginning to get things right on this bike with all these last minute tweaks.

Above is a not so flattering pic of my bike, but the best to show the dramatic difference in appearance of the wheels. Look to the front wheel which I still have to paint. And than look at the backwheel. The spokes are hardly visable at all. Making the rim 'float' around the hub. It now complements al the alloy circles I fabricated.

---

In the meantime I've painted the frontspokes, and the other reflective line as well.

Me happy...

 

[deorman]

Re: BILLET BULLIT (I've painted my tires...) may 29th

Glad you got the tires sorted out. 8) With no front brake, you'll need the traction.The blacked out spokes are definitely a winner! Those fenders are close enough to act as tire brushes! :lol: Side reflectors, rear reflector, and, from dusk to dawn, lighting are required on public roads here as well.(Commonwealth of Virginia) I don't mind, because I don't care to be run over by any of the careless, drunk, or otherwise stupid people that drive cars around here. They CAN ticket you, but rarely does anyone enforce lighting if you have reflectors, or reflectors if you have a bright light. If anything, if a cop is surprised by your sudden appearance, he/she'll tell you the law and threaten you w/"next time".

 

[Markm]

Re: BILLET BULLIT (I've painted my tires...) may 29th

lookin good!!!

 

[Galtbacken]

Re: BILLET BULLIT (I've painted my tires...) may 29th

I really like how you tie in the circle-design!
About my fender-mold, I'll try it out for the first time when I get home from work today! I'll keep you updated!

 

[herr_rudolf]

Re: BILLET BULLIT (finished painting the spokes...) may 29th

Thanks guys.

Glad you got the tires sorted out. 8) With no front brake, you'll need the traction.The blacked out spokes are definitely a winner! Those fenders are close enough to act as tire brushes! :lol: Side reflectors, rear reflector, and, from dusk to dawn, lighting are required on public roads here as well.(Commonwealth of Virginia) I don't mind, because I don't care to be run over by any of the careless, drunk, or otherwise stupid people that drive cars around here. They CAN ticket you, but rarely does anyone enforce lighting if you have reflectors, or reflectors if you have a bright light. If anything, if a cop is surprised by your sudden appearance, he/she'll tell you the law and threaten you w/"next time".

The one brake set-up does worry me... A LOT. I know for a fact that breaking is brought back to a minimum. I have been thinking of putting the frontbrake as a 2nd brake on the backwheel. Don't know if that works, but I have a spare mountinghole...

I don't mind the light and reflector-rules either. But you don't get a warning over here anymore. These rules are known by everybody so 90% of the times you run into a police officer (from dusk till dawn) it will result in a ticket. But I think the reflectors will get you just a warning ...IF the officer notice. I find it hard to make wheel and pedalreflectors look cool. Running one rim-brake is illegal too, by the way... Handlebars without grips too. And you have to run a bell that can be heard over a distance of 20 meters. I came across the regulations for a street-legal bike in the netherlands...
8 - /

---

Anyway...
I had some time to finish the painting of the frontspokes. They're all black now. And so are the tires. I got rid of the white logo's and markings. As I said, the racingtire is bigger than the original one. But so is the backtire. The overall look of the bike has improved dramatically after the 'disapearance' of the spokes. Especially against dark backgrounds or when the wheels are spinning.

Look at how the aloy and especially the rims just pop now the spokes are blacked-out:

 

[herr_rudolf]

Re: BILLET BULLIT (okay, I give up...) may 29th

While I'm building the BB there are a few other bikes waiting to be overhauled. Like this one: A sporty Batavus (Dutch origin). It's quite a decent bike. Nothing special but has good lines and definately potential. Don't know what I wanna do to it yet. It all starts with tires I think. And there lies the problem. It's a 27" bike. Hard to get tires for but I found a couple of adresses that have limited runs... I love the big'n'little hotrod stance on ...everything, so I thought it'd be a good idea to use a slightly bigger 28" backwheel to contrast the 'smaller 27" front. So I mounted the 28 from my BB on the silver bike. As I was taking pictures I noticed the backwheel to NOT seem bigger than the front wheel. NOT AT ALL... In fact, it looked kinda smaller...

Hey, maybe it's possible for me to fit 28" tires on these 27" rims, but...
It looked kinda smaller because... IT IS SMALLER. This 28" wheel is actually SMALLER than the 27"!!! As I tried on the spare 28" racetire just to look for the difference between the two, I came to the conclusion that there's NO WAY to get a 28" tire around a 27" rim.

After some measuring I now know for sure. A 28" rim is smaller than 27" rim.
So, I'll give up. I won't worry about tiresizing anymore, just to stop me going insane ; - )

The Billet Bullit is coming along fine. No major fabrication, but small steps. Detail work like cutting bolts and screws to the right size. removing and adding washers. I redrilled the back fender to make it sit slightly lower. It's a perfect fit right now. Today I plan to tweak the bracket for the front fender, and make a cutout for some clearance for the fork in the 'hub-circlebracket'.

Question: Does anyone have experience or opinion about fitting 2nd brake on the backwheel? Will it be a major improvement on the braking?