A fat tire bobber.. ? First build.
Thanks :smile: Checking out other peoples projects and progress and the positive comments keep me motivated as well.
I spent an hour or two this evening getting going on the down tubes. I put a do not exceed (with the grinder) :laugh: piece of tape on each pipe and cut a section out then got them pretty close with a flap disc. Got them fitting really nice with a file.
I'm going to do the 'old school' neck as described at chopperhandbook.com, so, the down tubes will 'cradle' the backbone and the neck tube will be welded to the backbone, then added gussets help support it. This seems like it will be easier than mitering and welding the down tubes to the bottom of the neck. It won't look like my drawing, though... :laugh:
I'm thinking about tacking the down tubes together, I think it will be easier while mitering and fitting them to the lower tubes.
I spent an hour or two this evening getting going on the down tubes. I put a do not exceed (with the grinder) :laugh: piece of tape on each pipe and cut a section out then got them pretty close with a flap disc. Got them fitting really nice with a file.
I'm going to do the 'old school' neck as described at chopperhandbook.com, so, the down tubes will 'cradle' the backbone and the neck tube will be welded to the backbone, then added gussets help support it. This seems like it will be easier than mitering and welding the down tubes to the bottom of the neck. It won't look like my drawing, though... :laugh:
I'm thinking about tacking the down tubes together, I think it will be easier while mitering and fitting them to the lower tubes.
Welded and fitted the down tubes yesterday. I think it was easiest to weld them first.. 
It was still a bugger to get the miter cut at the correct angle. I thought I had the templates lined up, but then the angle changed as when they were tilted forward so I had to rotate the templates and miter again. Who knows, maybe I had them wrong to begin with... :smile: I think I only lost about 1/8" of length by having to re-miter..
Anyway, they're fitting nicely now. Just need to shorten the right side a touch to center the plumb bob. The cardboard template has sure been handy. :thumbsup:
It was still a bugger to get the miter cut at the correct angle. I thought I had the templates lined up, but then the angle changed as when they were tilted forward so I had to rotate the templates and miter again. Who knows, maybe I had them wrong to begin with... :smile: I think I only lost about 1/8" of length by having to re-miter..Anyway, they're fitting nicely now. Just need to shorten the right side a touch to center the plumb bob. The cardboard template has sure been handy. :thumbsup:
That frame is looking nice. I gotta get me a welder. I've been looking at this TIG machine from Eastwood. It's gotten some pretty decent reviews. The only down fall I see is there the the non-adjustable gas flow.
TIG200 DC Welder | TIG Welder | TIG Welders | Eastwood
Any thoughts on it?
Shawn
TIG200 DC Welder | TIG Welder | TIG Welders | Eastwood
Any thoughts on it?
Shawn
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Thanks, once I weld the down tubes it will come together quickly, I hope...:smile:
My dad taught me to stick weld , like , 20 years ago, and then I just got the mig last year . So I'm not qualified to comment... :laugh: Tig looks interesting to me, though, I'd like to try it sometime. A friend has a nice Miller unit (loaf of bread sized) that I think does Tig as well as stick.
My dad taught me to stick weld , like , 20 years ago, and then I just got the mig last year . So I'm not qualified to comment... :laugh: Tig looks interesting to me, though, I'd like to try it sometime. A friend has a nice Miller unit (loaf of bread sized) that I think does Tig as well as stick.
I took an 6 month welding class when I was 19 and I learned all of the different welders and techniques such as brazing, stick /arc, MIG, TIG and plasma cutting etc... But I was never the greatest at stick welding. TIG machines are nice as they are pretty much an all in one as far as the substrates you can weld. Plus they are pretty simple to use. If you've ever done brazing with an Oxy. / Ace. torch, you can TIG weld. And it's nice because there is no splatter or sparks so the welds are nicer, cleaner and flatter which makes for less finish grinding. Also, with the right torch and torch setup, it's almost like welding with a pencil. And with the right TIG machine, you can even weld aluminum.
Shawn
Shawn
I haven't done any welding in a few years so I'm out of practice.
MIG welding isn't too awful hard but it does take practice. Also, you want to use a MIG welder with gas as the welds are nicer and cleaner than one without. TIG is the easiest in my opinion.
Shawn
I've read that mig is the easiest to learn I can get decent looking welds (usually) on straight joints, but I find the round tubing joints difficult.
I can get decent looking welds (usually) on straight joints, but I find the round tubing joints difficult.
Shawn
TIG welding is fun. And I've forgotten to turn the gas on when MIG welding before. It's especially embarrassing right after you tell your buddies, "Yeah I can weld that exhaust up nice and purdy" Only to forget to turn the gas on and the first few tacks and beads look like She Ite!
Also, check out some of your welder and supply shops as they may have demo welders and will you try out a TIG machine.
Shawn
Shawn
Also, check out some of your welder and supply shops as they may have demo welders and will you try out a TIG machine.
Shawn
Shawn
I started monkeying around with the seat post. I guess my original thought was to have the gas tank tube weld to the seat post, which it couldn't have (if the seat post was straight) because it would hit the stock tank. Thought I'd use the stock tank for now, until I can figure out something that will fit up top.
Or, I could just have the post vertical and weld the gas tank tube to the backbone wherever it ends up. I'll just use a piece of thin wall stuff for the gas tank tube. Maybe this bent post looks awkward
Anyway, I'm going to think about it a bit before I weld anything...
Or, I could just have the post vertical and weld the gas tank tube to the backbone wherever it ends up. I'll just use a piece of thin wall stuff for the gas tank tube. Maybe this bent post looks awkward
Anyway, I'm going to think about it a bit before I weld anything...
Looking good. Without wishing to cause offense, when I look at your latest pics, may I offer my two cents worth?
With the angles you're working, an old school (hate that term, lol) straight post to the back side of the wishbone might look good. You could go with a Troxel-style seat then. You'll need some leg room after all.
Support wise, it doesn't look like you need a straight support across the frame. I'd be looking at a peanut tank with a stock Harley style tunnel mount on grommets, and back tab bolt.
Just my comments on the look- heck you're doing an excellent job on this and I find it interesting and motivating to watch. Thanks for the updates. :thumbsup:
With the angles you're working, an old school (hate that term, lol) straight post to the back side of the wishbone might look good. You could go with a Troxel-style seat then. You'll need some leg room after all.
Support wise, it doesn't look like you need a straight support across the frame. I'd be looking at a peanut tank with a stock Harley style tunnel mount on grommets, and back tab bolt.
Just my comments on the look- heck you're doing an excellent job on this and I find it interesting and motivating to watch. Thanks for the updates. :thumbsup:
Thanks Dave, and I'm always open to input... :smile: Here's a picture with a straight post tied into place, I agree, I think it will be best. I'm calling it a seat post, but maybe support post would be better. It will be welded to the underside of the backbone. I'm thinking of a spring seat hinged to the backbone. I'm not familiar with 'troxel' , I'll google it.
With the tube across the frame I was going for the look of the old Indian's where the tank goes between the 2 tubes. I really like the racers, like these http://silodrome.com/indian-101-scout/ My fav is the blue and yellow one...suh-weet. :thumbsup: I will check out some tunnel mount tanks, though. I think there's a pretty good cycle salvage place locally.
With the tube across the frame I was going for the look of the old Indian's where the tank goes between the 2 tubes. I really like the racers, like these http://silodrome.com/indian-101-scout/ My fav is the blue and yellow one...suh-weet. :thumbsup: I will check out some tunnel mount tanks, though. I think there's a pretty good cycle salvage place locally.
