Following a display of converted bicycles at Ethan’s school, it has been on the plan list to build a chopper bike. The dream is now becoming a reality!
The welder Christmas present was a requirement too of course. I’ve done a deal of practicing on various types of steel and different jobs, so thought it was about time to try the bike project.
Horizontal dropout to help tension the longer chain
Welding the thinner steel of the bicycle tubes has proven to be a bit trickier than anticipated, with much of my time spent trying to repair the mess made in initial attempts.
Designing the proposed bike, and cutting up the pieces from other old bike proved fun and not too tricky. I should have spent more time preparing the scalloping of the tube ends however, as they didn’t match their recipient tubes too well and this caused much of the issues.
extended bottom bracket to get the legs out in front
I’m getting a bit better at the thinner tubes now. They require much less power and quicker movement of the weld head.
dodgy welding! tricky as the two tubes are very different sizes
The basic frame is now prepared however and I set it on some wheels to check it’s rolling capacity and straightness. All seems good to go for the next phase of finishing the frame and forks and getting it ready for painting.
Rolling Frame complete
Stay tuned for more updates. Once this project is completed a larger version for Ethan’s dad (me!) will be needed.
Brian.