I don't know if anyone has mentioned this but your design has been tried and was so badly flawed that the bike has gone down in history as the "Death Bike" please be careful when riding it. the problem is with a spring on either side it allows one to collapse independant of the other which pitches the wheel sideways in the fork causing it to jam the tire in the fork, throwing the rider headlong. these were made by Huffman in 1938 and all but very very few were recalled and destroyed. there is only one known to exist today.
Thanks for the tips and comments guys. However, I see very little similarities in the structure of this lower death springer and mine - I have rode mine and all I have is dirt roads and bumpy gravel and it seems fine, just not as springy as I wanted. It rubs a tiny bit but that is because my rim is bent a tad - but it's all I got right now to work with - I put spacers between inside of whel & forks and that helped - If I had a smooth tire it would not rub, but all I have is old mountain bike tires - again, all I got. But I will be careful, always am. I'd love to have one of those death bikes!
Oh, the clock ran out of batteries 4 years ago - and as far as Mastercard - hey, a stickers a sticker right!
Anyways, got frame painted red, my FIRST red bike!, rims are white, sprockets, etc - few update pics below - going to put most together today -
thanks Heavy Pedal. Made some progress today - had to cut off kick stand, it was too long, cleaned up grips (they won't stay white for long I'm sure). Waiting on fenders to dry, and have to add some junk to seat - that last pic of frame is bright! red - it's not that bright.... cheers, T>
Basic idea is the same, but between the sturdiness of your guide bolts and mounts, and the "unspringyness" of your springs, I suspect yours is simply strong enough, and theirs wasn't. :wink:
strength wasn't the issue, the issue was without the two sides tied together, one side can compress more than the other and the wheel will jam against the fork and stop abruptly. if you notice the fork on my last years build off bike it had the same problem and if you turn the wheel quickly it hits the fender and braces. plus it feels strange to ride. my only concern is for safety, this design will have the potential to throw you off. never forget this potential as it may come at a time you least expect it. other than this it looks very cool.
Your point was clear, I guess I should have said it differently. In order for one side to move farther, it would have to twist the rockers and bend the guides, less likely w/strong parts and springs that barely move, but definitely still possible.
OK cool - wrapped her up - done as done can be. Posting more pics in the finished area. Thanks for all the support & kind words folks. Had fun, time was limited, but done is better than not done! Peace, Troy.