Parts is parts

[mkane53]

I picked up a couple of bikes - well 5 actually (3 mountain bikes and 2 BMX bikes) but all pretty inexpensively - at the Chicago Police auction recently, so I've got the donor bicycles I need to start my Tradewinds.

I've got 8' of 1 1/2" square tubing left from when I built my Meridian, so I think I'm ready to get started.

I'm still deconstructing the donor bicycles so it'll probably be a while before I really start tearing into it in earnest. But I'm pretty pumped an ready to cutting stuff up.

I'll try to note the progress here as I go.

[ditz]

I am looking forward to following your build. I am pumped too.

[mkane53]

The chopping and welding (and deviation from the plans) has begun!

I started off with 2 schwinn Mountain Bikes and a BMX bike that I'd picked up a couple of weeks back. The weather has been so gorgeous I've been riding my Meridian, but have had a couple of afternoon/evenings to work on the Tradewinds.

If you build according to the recipe, you need to chop up 3 bikes - well 4 if your BMX has a junk bottom bracket as mine does. Per the plans - you need 3 bottom bracket shells that take a tapered spindle bottom bracket for 3 piece cranks. The first is part of the rear triangle and then one each for the captain and the stoker's crank sets. But the one that's part of the rear triangle doesn't get a crank mounted on it. It's there as a structural member - to tie the rear triangle tubes together and receives a bottom tube as well; it ultimately has an idler pulley mounted to it - but not a crank set. Not wanting to cut up a perfectly good bike just for the bottom bracket shell, I cut the bottom bracket shell out of the rear triangle, and welded in the one from the BMX bike. It created a couple of hours more work but I just couldn't bring myself to sacrifice an entire bike for only the bottom bracket and I'm not really in a rush anyway

So, anyway, I've got Bike #1 cut up - which contributes the rear triangle, the Head Tube, and because of my mod the captain's bottom bracket shell as well. I chopped the bottom bracket shell out of the rear triangle, chopped the bottom bracket shell out of the BMX and welded the BMX bottom bracket shell into the rear triangle. I'm still cleaning up the welds a bit and will need to fill any holes and gaps, but it came out okay I think.

The Head Tube and Captain's bottom bracket shell are all cleaned up and ready to go. Next up will be cutting the main tube and boring the holes through it at the proper angle so it can receive the head tube. I have a hole saw and a drill press, so it should be somewhat easier than it would otherwise be.

As always, it feels really good to have the project underway. I'm figuring that I should have a ridable (ie. not highly finished) bicycle by the end of September, but I'm taking a week or so to make a trip on the Meridian, so if I'm off by a week or so on this project - well so be it.


I'll post pictures when there's something interesting to look at. Right now it's just getting started.

[mkane53]

Okay. With a timeout to build a HighRoller, I'm back to work on the Tradewinds Tandem.

I had already cut up a couple of bikes and welded up the rear triangle - which I mentioned way back in August in my original post.

I've set the front boom length and angle and have welded that up.

Hopefully I'll get this bike put together over the next 2 to 3 weeks.

A couple of quick photos
Donor Bikes
http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii54/mkane53/Tradewinds%20Project/P1000626.jpg

De-Construction
http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii54/mkane53/Tradewinds%20Project/P1000628.jpg

Punching the Head-Tube Hole
http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii54/mkane53/Tradewinds%20Project/P1000783.jpg

Head-Tube Tacked in Place
http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii54/mkane53/Tradewinds%20Project/P1000786.jpg


Link to all photos of build
http://s261.photobucket.com/albums/ii54/mkane53/Tradewinds%20Project/?albumview=grid

[mkane53]

Couple of additional photos:

Setting the Boom Length and Angle
http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii54/mkane53/Tradewinds%20Project/P1010002.jpg


Welded and Ground Smooth ... ooooo Shiney!
http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii54/mkane53/Tradewinds%20Project/P1010003.jpg

[thumper]

cool looking good dude keep it coming please

[mkane53]

Okay, haven't updated in a while, but I've been pretty busy in the garage. The frame is essentially complete. Here's a picture of the (more or less) completed frame and a couple of interim shots of the construction process and a link to the build photo album. I had ground the boom welds smooth but decided to re-weld them for a bit of additional reinforcement.

I think you'd need a panoramic camera to get the whole bicycle frame into a single image ... because it's one Looooooooooooong machine.

Current State of things - Frame Complete
http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii54/mkane53/Tradewinds%20Project/P1010037.jpg


Rear Triangle Work
http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii54/mkane53/Tradewinds%20Project/P1010033.jpg

Seat stays Rewelding
http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii54/mkane53/Tradewinds%20Project/P1010035.jpg

Stoker's Bottom Bracket (My ability to weld is matched only by my ability to focus a camera)
http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii54/mkane53/Tradewinds%20Project/P1010036.jpg


Link to the Build Album
Mike's Tradewind Build (http://s261.photobucket.com/albums/ii54/mkane53/Tradewinds%20Project/?albumview=grid)

[GregLWB]

Hey Mike - Looks like progress to me.:jester: I'm really interested in the ride report when you get this one done.:1eye:

Greg

[mkane53]

Yeah, I'm getting there. I started this last fall but then had to take time out for a) the coldest Chicago Winter I ever remember and b) to build the HighRoller. Now that I've restarted I'm moving along rather nicely.

Next up is to shorten the 26" front fork to use the 20" wheel. I'm really looking forward to finishing this up. As are most of my neighbors who take turns riding my creations.

Hey Mike - Looks like progress to me.:jester: I'm really interested in the ride report when you get this one done.:1eye:

Greg

[Radical Brad]

Good showing!

Brad

[GregLWB]

Hey Mike - How long is your bike from the back of the top main tube to where the headtube goes through the main tube.

I'm trying to get a grasp on how long it will end up compared to my TourMaster. If I can end up with a bike that doesn't have a wheelbase too much longer I am going to purchase the plans and build one too.

With your measurement and using measurements off of my TM and HR, I should be able to get a pretty good idea. I'm hoping that I can keep the length under 9 feet front to back of tires.

Greg

[mkane53]

58" from the back of the main tube to the middle of the headtube, plus another 20" out to the end of the boom. I'm 5'10" and allowed room for me to be the captain or the stoker. I built it a little long both front and back and (as Brad indicated re your OSS question) I figured the front seat needed to be moved back and up (figuring something along the lines of recycled recumbent-style) seats.

I think that answers your question.

Hey Mike - How long is your bike from the back of the top main tube to where the headtube goes through the main tube.

[GregLWB]

58" from the back of the main tube to the middle of the headtube, plus another 20" out to the end of the boom. I'm 5'10" and allowed room for me to be the captain or the stoker. I built it a little long both front and back and (as Brad indicated re your OSS question) I figured the front seat needed to be moved back and up (figuring something along the lines of recycled recumbent-style) seats.

I think that answers your question.

Perfectly, thank you.:) I have downloaded the plans and will read through them tonight. I'll be doing some measuring too.

Greg

[mkane53]

Shortened Fork. Per Brad's suggestion and excellent instructions, I shortened the 26" fork to fit the 20" wheel I'll be using so I can make use of the Canti/V-Brake bosses.

As with cutting down the length of fork steerer (in the Meridian build) there are certain aspects of a build that you put off for a while because you dread it a bit. This was one of those operations. But as is usually the case the anticipation is worse than the event.

It turned out quite well. Photos below.

The next step will be to fit the cranks and building a couple of seats. Once I figure out the seats, I'll know how to lay out the seat back supports.


Welded Fork Ends
http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii54/mkane53/Tradewinds%20Project/P1010039.jpg

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii54/mkane53/Tradewinds%20Project/P1010041.jpg


Fork Finished other than clean-up of welds
http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii54/mkane53/Tradewinds%20Project/P1010043.jpg

Link to the Build Album
Mike's Tradewinds Project Album (http://s261.photobucket.com/albums/ii54/mkane53/Tradewinds%20Project/?albumview=grid)

[GregLWB]

58" from the back of the main tube to the middle of the headtube, plus another 20" out to the end of the boom. I'm 5'10" and allowed room for me to be the captain or the stoker. I built it a little long both front and back and (as Brad indicated re your OSS question) I figured the front seat needed to be moved back and up (figuring something along the lines of recycled recumbent-style) seats.

I think that answers your question.

Mike - I measured my TM and your entire tandem tip to tip will be the same length as my TM.:rolleyes4:

I think that even as tall as I am I can keep the length no longer than 9' for my tandem.

Greg

[mkane53]

That's cool! Yeah, that TM is a long machine. That's probably why it's so comfortable.

Mike - I measured my TM and your entire tandem tip to tip will be the same length as my TM.:rolleyes4:

I think that even as tall as I am I can keep the length no longer than 9' for my tandem.

Greg

[mkane53]

"In the beginning was the darkness ... and the welder struck his arc and sayeth ...'Let there be Bike!' ... and he looked and saw that it was good."


http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii54/mkane53/Tradewinds%20Project/P1010046.jpg

[GregLWB]

"In the beginning was the darkness ... and the welder struck his arc and sayeth ...'Let there be Bike!' ... and he looked and saw that it was good."

ROFL! Funny.:jester: Looking good.

Greg

[dynodon]

More !!!!More I need to see more!!!