Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Construction of Utility bike




I could not find a bicycle like this to buy at any price; Easy dismount step through framem (18" ) ,  4.75” crank forward for sitting up straight to stop leaning on my wrists (carpel tunnel syndrome), full MTB gears, front rack on frame to not affect the  steering.  And I need it to be strong enough to haul cargo (no aluminum).

 I am able to turn in a  very tight circle of only 105" or 8.75ft. This very useful in a crowded situation.
Aluminum is ‘Planned Obsolescence’ designed to make sure you buy a new bike soon as possible!

                                                                    5 months of work!

                         It has a 42.5" wheel base and weighs only 46lbs wiht out the box and fenders.

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$



Paper work first, I recommend a Pickett 235E ruler, worth every cent!
And a 360° Adjustable Protractor


Then add an extension from nova cycle supply, to an old fork.



when you take the old bikes apart, keep the old crank
spindle so it will be easy to get a new one that fits.
This wood jig is impossible to make square, should have used steel flat bar.


                                        I changed the steer angle to 73 degrees to get less trail,
                                                         for easy slow speed hill climbing.



Hand filing the joints is much harder than using a machine,

                          but it is easy to get them right. And square tubing is much easier than round.

Do not assume that the face of the bottoms brakets are square to the leingth.
I made a big mistake on measurements: the rear of thsi is for a 24" wheel. Now I must pay more to build a wheel. http://forums.mtbr.com/general-discussion/36-hole-pull-apart-hubs-806465-post9581280.html
I also gained trail, but not too much.
One Milimeter off in the center can mean one eight inch at the rear drop outs.

              Alignment with string is very difficult, better to use an expensive 'frame alignment caliper',
                                                     and a botom bracket holder jig.

                                     


MIG welding is fast and cheaper than TIG welding, but it can be cleaner if it has a foot pedal controller and the person using it knows how to keep the head tube and bottom bracket from warping.





                                             45dgree handle bars with hill climbing extension
                              Don't forget to measure every thing ten times and just before welding!
                                              Or you may have to do it over again, like I did.

                                                                     my next project?


                                                                  Racks on an old MTB                           

frame shimmy and steering geometry
http://forum.atomiczombie.com/showthread.php/7171-Frame-Shimmy?p=67487#post67487
                             $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
finding parts can be a bugger!
 Disc brakes
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/875631-Avid-BB7-dis-funk-tion!!!
Head sets
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/845293-Cartridge-bearing-Head-sets?p=14712862#post14712862


Cassettes
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/844916-wide-range-cassettes?p=14706571#post14706571

RearHubs
http://forums.mtbr.com/general-discussion/36-hole-pull-apart-hubs-806465-post9583623.html


Chain lube
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/853819-Dry-Lube?p=14867819#post14867819
      $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

                                 I should have Googled "frame building jigs" before I began.
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/880966-Frame-tools?p=15455933&highlight=#post15455933

http://www.bringheli.com/components.html
http://www.strawberrybicycle.com/gallery/view_album.php?set_albumName=Tools

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1640002012/the-jiggernaut-bringing-bicycle-frame-building-to


http://www.outsideconnection.com/gallant/hpv/jig/

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