UNLIMITED Duality-build thread

[SkyknightJohn]

For the position of the BB, I used the alignment jig. It’s a little bit forward of “normal” assuming at the bottom of the seat tube in a straight line.

BB center (left-right) determined also by the jig for HT/axle/BB alignment. Honestly, if one can get those three aligned, what’s in the middle can be crazy. (think swingbike)

And yeah, I actually thought to check the crank arm & sprocket clearance this time around. (might be a root cause of why the right chainstay/downtube tube got a bit close to the tire )

 

[SkyknightJohn]

Welded it up, ‘cause I’m impatient and sweat is just a way to know you’re not yet dehydrated!

Not the most elegant solution, nor the best execution, but we’ll see. Letting the welds cool, but with an early a.m. departure you’ll just have to wait along with me to see if it is properly aligned and such.

I might trim the top portion some, and at least round the corners off. If it all works it’s on to finish work and putting the “bicycle” parts on this hunk of steel.

 

[OddJob]

So I'm just curious, do you think about your build and next steps and what you have planned next while on the job; like the rest of us do?

 

[SkyknightJohn]

So I'm just curious, do you think about your build and next steps and what you have planned next while on the job; like the rest of us do?

Ummm… Duh?
Mostly I’m frustrated that I have Ideas or planned next steps but I’m not home and can’t do anything. That’s why it progresses in bursts.

And then there are times home when life has other plans and afterall, this is just a bike, just a hobby, so ten days go by with nothing.

Looking forward to retirement with 40 acres and a mule, and a big, air-conditioned workshop!

Also, time on the road gives me time to catch up on all the other threads.

 

[OddJob]

Ummm… Duh?
Mostly I’m frustrated that I have Ideas or planned next steps but I’m not home and can’t do anything. That’s why it progresses in bursts.

And then there are times home when life has other plans and afterall, this is just a bike, just a hobby, so ten days go by with nothing.

Looking forward to retirement with 40 acres and a mule, and a big, air-conditioned workshop!

Also, time on the road gives me time to catch up on all the other threads.

Thank God for autopilot I guess, huh?!

 

[SkyknightJohn]

Thank God for autopilot I guess, huh?!

I’d never get a nap otherwise!

 

[SkyknightJohn]

My favorite saying:
“I just hope to die peacefully in my sleep, like my grandfather did…
… not screaming in horror like his 76 passengers!”

 

[GeePig]

There might be some flexing when you pedal hard with that BB mount, but it is certainly an interesting way of doing it

 

[kingfish254]

I still like the triple tree fork the best. Especially now that you can lower it.
I'm sure you'll get the BB tweaked if it needs it. Love catching up on this killer build!

 

[SkyknightJohn]

There might be some flexing when you pedal hard with that BB mount, but it is certainly an interesting way of doing it

We’ll see. I hope by using two plates, and with the angles they’re set at flexing will be minimized. (meaning they’re not perpendicular, but angles inward and also not straigt front-rear.)

 

[SkyknightJohn]

Little progress between work and oppressive heat, but I did throw on a crankset to check for clearance and we seem good. BB threaded right in with no distortion issues.

Actually far mor than needed. That lower tube coulda been farther out preventing the tire rub issue, but here we are.

Each step verified makes moving on to the next step confident.

 

[SkyknightJohn]

Next up: drilled & slotted the seat tube, and welded it in place. Major frame construction complete. Finish bits to go.

 

[OddJob]

That's pretty, right there.

 

[kingfish254]

Continued awesomeness!!
I was hoping you would be doing a Twin Bar like non-seattube seattube. Looks great. That look stout, but you may want to consider a duplicate second plate under the toptube with the seattube going through it. From my Elgin twin Bar experience, there is a lot of torqueing going on with the seat mounting. Just a suggestion.

 

[BartRidesEternal]

Wow, love how that all turned out. That looks very pretty!

What is the thickness of the BB- to frame plates? I wonder if that is stiff and strong enough, but hard to judge from a picture.

 

[SkyknightJohn]

Continued awesomeness!!
I was hoping you would be doing a Twin Bar like non-seattube seattube. Looks great. That look stout, but you may want to consider a duplicate second plate under the toptube with the seattube going through it. From my Elgin twin Bar experience, there is a lot of torqueing going on with the seat mounting. Just a suggestion.

Way ahead of ya KF, guess it just didn’t show up in the previous shots.

 

[SkyknightJohn]

Wow, love how that all turned out. That looks very pretty!

What is the thickness of the BB- to frame plates? I wonder if that is stiff and strong enough, but hard to judge from a picture.

Thanks! They are 1/8” (~3.2mm). And have complex angles to the frame/BB/each other. It feels pretty sturdy, but I’ll not know until I pedal on it. If not, luckily I know a welder who can add som reinforcement!

 

[SkyknightJohn]

Today I reamed the headtube and seat tube to be able to do a proper mockup:

This is with the fork as low as it can go still allowing full compression (also the tire doesn’t strike the frame.)

Looks good! But- the steerer is a little short. I have one I might be able to change out that will allow a stem to fit, or consider some clip-ons to the upright tubes?

The seat pin will be cut down accordingly.

Might still test out the green fork again with the headset & seat in place, But I think you all were right that these fit it well.

 

[kingfish254]

Wow! Love that look. The triple tree is perfect for that frame and for the mass if the bjke.

 

[SkyknightJohn]

Been a few days, enjoyed the holiday and visited our son who just recently purchased his first house.

Trimmed the excess frame tubes and added caps:

Tedious, finicky, and still hot and humid. 4 of 8 caps welded. Maybe finish later today, maybe another day.