Frame building ideas?

[johnbill]

Originally posted this in the Motorcycle section, but I thought I might check here.

https://forum.ih8mud.com/motorcycles-atvs/255697-stupid-crazy-project-ideas.html

Long story short, my buddy and I are gonna be diggin into some pretty serious metalworking in the next couple of months. Prolly gonna start with plain steel tube bicycle frames, maybe do some monocoque stuff, and try and work our way towards motorcycles. I've got the welding and some machining experience, my buddy is a mechanical engineering student and the brains of the outfit. But neither of us has done this kind of from-scratch design before.

So, #1: Anybody out there got any frame-building experience? Advice for beginners? Books/websites etc to get us started in the right direction? I think our first project will be based off of a buddy's frame that he doesn't quite like; modify the design to suit him better, do the math, and weld up a half-original design.

#2: If you were gonna do this, what would you want to see? What kind of weird, one-off, crazy design features can you think of? What would turn your head on the street and make you go, "Oh damn!" ? We're gonna have access to all kinds of awesome tools/equipment, so we're basically limited only by skills...and the Master Machinist that supervises the shop oughta be able to help us out with that.

Holla back...

johnbill

 

[bugsnbikes]

U might try checking out Jesse Rooke's motorcycle designs for some ideas. He uses old school bike design cues in his motorcycles to a very ill retro effect. kewlest bikes ive seen in a while.

theres a bike called the Whizzer that was motorized. Unfortunately the cool factor of the whizzers wasnt quite there.......... If you could come up with a motorized bicycle that was actually cool-youd be onto something.

 

[johnbill]

Naw, I mean motorCYCLES. I don't think it's possible to get all that cool with a motorized bicycle...that's a moped to me.

I will check that dude out. I got half a chub the other day looking at this stuff too...

Confederate Motor Company

got to love a tank-integral monocoque frame.

 

[bugsnbikes]

Not sure if you saw the old Discovery shows- Biker Buildoff- but you can probably google discovery channel and go back and research some of the Builders from that series. Roland Sands is another one to check out along with Jesse Rooke.

Most of the other guys were more traditional chopper types like Indian Larry and then the more modern styles----but there were a few that really were pushing the envelope in terms of "new" ideas.

If you are a motorcycle nut- those are worth a look.

Again- you hit thenail on the head---its hard to come up with a kewl bicycle thats motorized. If you did- youd be the next henry ford.
View attachment 281400View attachment 281402

 

[bugsnbikes]

this should get your mental juices flowing.........


2006 Custom Isto Omega Front Right View.jpg Photo

 

[Ruadhrigh]

here you go. this frame is damn sexy. build it up in steel with paragon sliders and I would buy one

 

[johnbill]

Ruadhrigh, dia dhuit!

Pic? Linky?

 

[Ruadhrigh]

Dia is Muire dhuit!

haha, I love wikipedia


The frame builder is Black Sheep Bicycles, the frame is a custom build and I found the pics on the MTBR forum. Let me see if I can find the thread.

 

[Ruadhrigh]

here are some more pics. I dont really like how the rear triangle hinges. I would rather have the paragon sliders and no pivoting frame. But I really dig the swooping top-tube. Here is the entire thread .

 

[Fast Eddy]

That doesn't pivot. It's just able to be broken down for airline travel, or a small car trunk.

Do a google search for "Retrotech", "Black Sheep Bikes", "Jeff Jones Cycles", or "handmade bicycle show" for motivation.

If you're going to actually ride the thing, you need to start with a frame jig.

You might find some info at United Bicycle Institute Bicycle Mechanics School Offering Mechanic Certification and Frame Building..

Edit: Here's a Black Sheep with 36" wheels. "...honored with the Rider's Choice award at the the inaugural Rocky Mountain Bicycle Show this past November..."

What I notice most about this frame, vs some others in this thread is how the slope of the downtube and its transition to the seat stays is a smooth transition.

 

[Ruadhrigh]

That doesn't pivot. It's just able to be broken down for airline travel, or a small car trunk.

in the thread the owner says that it is also used to tension the chain.

 

[Fast Eddy]

in the thread the owner says that it is also used to tension the chain.

I can see how it would move a bit, being built from Ti.

 

[GAS-A-LOT!]

how bout this? hes so cal local....LOL

200lbs.... top speed of 20mph..and runs 15mph for 10 miles on full charge... Its got like 72 gears.... the motor alone has 5. He just built a custom replica weighing in at 150lbs. So hes getting better?

Any ways.. Just ran into him this afternoon..

 

[GAS-A-LOT!]

I know, maybe not show quality,.... Heck, right down Ghetto! But none the less, you could pretty much do what ever! as long as you got a need/buyer.
Good luck

 

[MT-PTK]

Prolly gonna start with plain steel tube bicycle frames

So, #1: Anybody out there got any frame-building experience? Advice for beginners? Books/websites etc to get us started in the right direction? I think our first project will be based off of a buddy's frame that he doesn't quite like; modify the design to suit him better, do the math, and weld up a half-original design.


johnbill

The top frame builders hang out here:

VELOCIPEDE SALON - Powered by vBulletin

Richard Sachs
Weigle
Goodrich
Dave Kirk
Kelly Bedford
Mike Zanconato
Dario Pegoretti
Hampsten
Etc.....

Have fun!
William

 

[stash12]

crazy frame builders

check out firebikes.com as well as jakz.com them guys do up some cool a** bicycles.

 

[koop]

It's out of print and might be hard to find but there is the Proteus frame building book.

Amazon.com: The Proteus frame building handbook: Paul Proteus: Books

never read it but I once owned a Proteus road bike. Great bike.

 

[Mr. Toad]

What I notice most about this frame, vs some others in this thread is how the slope of the downtube and its transition to the seat stays is a smooth transition.

The top tube, right? BTW, where do you get 36" tires?