2wheel-Lee's Adventure in Frame Building

Discussion in 'The Workshop' started by 2wheel_lee, Feb 15, 2009.

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  1. 2wheel_lee

    2wheel_lee Active Member

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    This whole heat treating process is generally only done with aluminum frames, which is one of the reasons why most home/custom builders don't build from aluminum. I believe the general cost of heat treating an aluminum frame is about $200 when doing onesie-twosies. Of course, production frame builders get a much better rate.
     
    2wheel_lee, Feb 16, 2009
    #41
  2. Bryguy17

    Bryguy17 A little Shaggy

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    hmmm...my dad says he's got a tig welder with the right gas. I think I need to learn how to weld :-k
     
    Bryguy17, Feb 16, 2009
    #42
  3. Lambda_drive

    Lambda_drive Member

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    Lambda_drive, Feb 16, 2009
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  4. jamisjake

    jamisjake Active Member

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    Lee, building your own frame sounds sweet! Good luck, man, and take tons of pictures!
     
    jamisjake, Feb 17, 2009
    #44
  5. fjryan

    fjryan Member

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    Lee,
    I have a bit of experience building my own DH bike. There's nothing more rewarding than riding your own creation. Let me know if there's anything I can help you with.
    Ryan
     

    Attached Files:

    fjryan, Feb 17, 2009
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  6. el cap

    el cap Active Member

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    el cap, Feb 17, 2009
    #46
  7. MohammedInABearSuit

    MohammedInABearSuit Sticks and Stones...

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    MohammedInABearSuit, Feb 17, 2009
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  8. Lambda_drive

    Lambda_drive Member

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    Have you ever thought about making a carbon fiber frame? In some ways it might be easier than a steel frame.
     
    Lambda_drive, Feb 21, 2009
    #48
  9. 2wheel_lee

    2wheel_lee Active Member

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    Yes...but...considering how many catastrophic carbon fiber failures of bicycle frames and components from companies who are supposed to know what they're doing, I'll pass. ;)

    I ordered all the gauges and a welding tip the other day. I'll order some tubing and other supplies soon, so I should be able to make fire in the next couple weeks. Joining tubes will probably happen shortly thereafter (practice, practice, practice).
     
    2wheel_lee, Feb 21, 2009
    #49
  10. mauric6943

    mauric6943 Member

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    Lee - Check out the 'Current Work' section for inspiration

    http://engincycles.com/

     
    mauric6943, Feb 23, 2009
    #50
  11. Vince

    Vince New Member

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    Update ?:confused:
     
    Vince, Jul 1, 2009
    #51
  12. simonmtb

    simonmtb Digging for fun.

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    Yeah Lee, let us know what happened.
    :beer:
     
    simonmtb, Jul 1, 2009
    #52
  13. 2wheel_lee

    2wheel_lee Active Member

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    Thanks Vince for bringing this back up. I thought that most people would have forgotten about this (except Harold who's been asking after my postings on FB).

    So what's been going on? Well...um...uh...a lot! I can't post pictures right now, because the program I use to resize them isn't working properly now. I should get that fixed soon. I'm nearly finished with my first frame! All I have left to do is braze on the cable fittings and finish filing and sanding some of the joints. I may not get much further progress on this frame for the next couple weeks, but it won't be long.

    Frame #1 has already served its purpose - it was a learner frame, and it was a very good learning experience. This is one of those things that no matter how much you read about on the internet, you really don't truly understand some of the issues until you do it.

    All in all, it's fun challenging but fun...and a bit exciting at times (note to self, don't throw flammable items in the flux drip bucket - fires may result #-o )

    I'll try to get pics up soon with some explanations of what I did and how I did it.

    Although frame #1 is a learner frame, it will be built up as a grocery getter. I was originally going to swap all the parts over from an old Specialized Hardrock that was given to me a while ago, but I almost have enough parts to build it up without taking apart the Hardrock. The bike will basically be just a grocery getter. However, because I built the frame for a 1" steer tube, I need to find someone who has an old 1" threadless fork...anyone?

    Frame #2 is already on the drawing board. This will be a singlespeed mtb for my wife.
     
    2wheel_lee, Jul 1, 2009
    #53
  14. BFloFoxRider.

    BFloFoxRider. Active Member

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    Letting your wife be the Guinea pig for the real Dirt bike, i Like IT! :lol:
     
    BFloFoxRider., Jul 1, 2009
    #54
  15. 2wheel_lee

    2wheel_lee Active Member

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    That wasn't really the idea. She needs a singlespeed frame more than I do (my Surly 1x1 is still doing fine). Besides, she'll put a lot less stress on the bike than I will! A frame for me will be the following one.
     
    2wheel_lee, Jul 1, 2009
    #55
  16. Drop D

    Drop D New Member

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    Lee... lets keep this on the down low... can you build me a 951 frame? :lol:
    Congrats with the WEDDING! :beer::beer::beer:
     
    Drop D, Jul 2, 2009
    #56
  17. Bryguy17

    Bryguy17 A little Shaggy

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    we need pictures! FB isn't enough! :lol:

    I'll be reasonable and take a SS 29er with a split dropout if you're ever bored ;)
     
    Bryguy17, Jul 2, 2009
    #57
  18. Vince

    Vince New Member

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    :bang:Lee is building 951 frames:bang:pictures please;)
     
    Vince, Jul 28, 2009
    #58
  19. Bryguy17

    Bryguy17 A little Shaggy

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    yeah lee, any updates?
     
    Bryguy17, Jul 29, 2009
    #59
  20. mfoga

    mfoga Intense Whore

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    I saw some a few weeks ago. Its coming along nice. I think its just about done if I remember right
     
    mfoga, Jul 29, 2009
    #60
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