I'm going to build a swing bike. I'd like to just use scrap stuff I have, but I may need a few things.
I've researched the frame geometry and will make it with headtube angles like a standard swing bike.
I'm not using a triangle from an old frame, I'm making it just like one of the original swing bikes. I'm using a fork as part of the rear with the BMX seat post (22mm) sliding right into the fork. I saved the scrap from a couple frames I have cut up and the chain stays and crank housing are all one piece.
This will be a 26" bike, not the usual 20", but will have high bars. No banana seat, I can't ride those anymore.
I laid it all out to get an idea of the frame length and how it will size up. 40-42" long for the two bars going from head tube to head tube. Most of those I've seen are curved together as they transverse between the head tubes, but I think they might look better if the lower one curved downward, the opposite way. That would leave room for an insert or tank of some kind.
The crank housing part will get trimmed and I'll hunt for some tubing for the cross bars. Maybe two on either side would work, 4 total.
I don't have any frames to use for head tubes, but the down tube on this scrap frame might be the right diameter. 2 headtubes could be made from it and I'd be set. The head tube on that frame is a strange small size.
As for wheels, I've used up all my rims and spokes, so I was going to order up some parts when a whole wheelset is cheaper. Actually I ordered two front wheels, as I will lace in the cheap Chinese coaster hub to one of them.
It's the one that had a lip on the inside of the drum! I used my dremel to smooth it out, but if it still isn't good, I'll order up another one. The other one I had worked well on the Wright Special. I can't find any but the cheap ones over here. I should have stocked up on red bands before I left. I think a swing bike needs a coaster brake as front brakes might make the thing jack knife and cables for handbrakes might get fouled up when swinging. But a rear brake might work with a freewheel as in the blue bike above.
That's where I'm at, tomorrow I'll be doing some cutting on the crank housing
I've researched the frame geometry and will make it with headtube angles like a standard swing bike.
I'm not using a triangle from an old frame, I'm making it just like one of the original swing bikes. I'm using a fork as part of the rear with the BMX seat post (22mm) sliding right into the fork. I saved the scrap from a couple frames I have cut up and the chain stays and crank housing are all one piece.
This will be a 26" bike, not the usual 20", but will have high bars. No banana seat, I can't ride those anymore.
I laid it all out to get an idea of the frame length and how it will size up. 40-42" long for the two bars going from head tube to head tube. Most of those I've seen are curved together as they transverse between the head tubes, but I think they might look better if the lower one curved downward, the opposite way. That would leave room for an insert or tank of some kind.
The crank housing part will get trimmed and I'll hunt for some tubing for the cross bars. Maybe two on either side would work, 4 total.
I don't have any frames to use for head tubes, but the down tube on this scrap frame might be the right diameter. 2 headtubes could be made from it and I'd be set. The head tube on that frame is a strange small size.
As for wheels, I've used up all my rims and spokes, so I was going to order up some parts when a whole wheelset is cheaper. Actually I ordered two front wheels, as I will lace in the cheap Chinese coaster hub to one of them.
It's the one that had a lip on the inside of the drum! I used my dremel to smooth it out, but if it still isn't good, I'll order up another one. The other one I had worked well on the Wright Special. I can't find any but the cheap ones over here. I should have stocked up on red bands before I left. I think a swing bike needs a coaster brake as front brakes might make the thing jack knife and cables for handbrakes might get fouled up when swinging. But a rear brake might work with a freewheel as in the blue bike above.
That's where I'm at, tomorrow I'll be doing some cutting on the crank housing
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That's to reserve some bike budget for steel and welding.
). And go slow but not too slow...
