The Baby Wolf is born

[jimFPU]

This is the Baby Wolf, building for my middle daughter.

'Cat poop welds' like others here, but they are strong!! Jumped on the frame and it just flexed, no breaks. Saved some time buy using the whole front of the 16'' Huffy...puts the rake at about 55-60 degrees, best guess with protratctor held at axle, LOL!

http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r399/jnk6/DSC00093.jpg
http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r399/jnk6/DSC00094.jpg
http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r399/jnk6/DSC00095.jpg

I'm 6'1'' and this will be a bit small for me, but it should fit the rest of the family just fine. I cut the main boom to 32'' and went from there...

Looking forward to using some Bondo soon, to cover the welds...

[John Lewis]

Looking good there jim.
Reckon your daughter will love it.

What welder are you using ? By the spatter it looks like it might be a gasless mig.

John Lewis

[AtomicZombie]

Looks good so far. Judging from the last photo, you could add a boom and extra crankset off the front and take turns riding it.

Brad

[jimFPU]

LOL! Yes a gas-less MIG. $60 brand new off Craigslist, it was still in the plastic, so I figured I could learn to weld. Although, I have figured out the closer I hold the gun, the less spatter I get...

The handle bars came off soon after, and then the kids came home from friends houses and MDD said:'Dad, how can I steer it way up there? I wanted the under seat steering!!'

[jimFPU]

New question: I noticed that the 4 bars that hang off the back are not exactly lined up, looking at them from the side. (I used my grinder to cut these at first, then I got a big cut off disk for my miter saw!! Duh!) Anyway, how critical is it that they be lined up exactly? Can I shim the pillow blocks with washers to get the alignment right?

[AtomicZombie]

You should have no problem with a slight misalignment between the rear bearing tubes. Even 1/4 inch off will hardly be noticable (as camber) in the rear wheels once they are installed. The critical alignment is between all bearings so there is no toe-in or toe-out in the rear wheels, but the axle takes care of that during the build.

Brad

[ggriffin924]

Mine had a slight bow to the legs off the back and I thought it should all be level, so I welded a washer on the inside top two of them. So the axle would be level all the way across. But I think its not really necessary after what Brad said. I was worried about the toe in or out but I believe with the way you line the bearing up, the axle as one piece there is no way to get an alignment problem.

[jimFPU]

That's what I was hoping for, thanks.

[gbbwolf]

I also had a slight alignment problem with pillow blocks not wanting to mount flush with the tube.

My cure frame in vise Deadblow Hammer and about 6 good whacks.

It now sits flush and didn't even crack a weld.

I have come to the conclusion mine was caused by uneven table or maybe even some heat warpage, or combination of both.

Anyways deadblow hammer will straighten it right up, if It does crack a weld just redo it.

Nelson

[jimFPU]

I finished the USS mod (except for welding) last night and hope to have some pics up soon. I need to get some rear axles and start building the rear wheels soon. Also have to build the seat and BB. DD is really getting excited as she can sit on it now and hold the handle bars under her and pretend! LOL! I have to get this thing done!

The one thing I hope I didn't do in my haste to 'just get something done' is too much mis-alignment on the rear wheels due to not having them built yet...we'll see.

[jimFPU]

OK, finally got to the USS mod. Everything is welded up, and the steering tabs (fork and handle bar positions) are in place. Haven't drilled the holes for the connecting rod yet as I don't have the rod ends to know what size yet. Getting to the part where I'm gonna have to buy some parts to do the rear wheels and axle soon...

I'll try and post some pics soon...

[jimFPU]

The whole Baby:
http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r399/jnk6/DSC00098.jpg
USS mod:
http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r399/jnk6/DSC00099.jpg
Steering cap nut and steering tab: (working on my welding, still need to get more filler in there, but will use Bondo and paint this time around...)
http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r399/jnk6/DSC00102.jpg
USS mod: again will be Bondo and paint...
http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r399/jnk6/DSC00103.jpg

[John Lewis]

Coming on nicely Jim. It's going to be a nice little machine.

John Lewis

[jimFPU]

Ordered the bearings on Saturday, so I'm in the waiting stage again. Will take apart the freehub I have as I purchased the 10mm yesterday.

Took the time to cut and weld two front arms for two Street Foxes also...this is getting fun!!

BTW, one of my welds yesterday looked something like this: <<<<<<<. Not really the CCCCCCC that is should be but I thought it was great as I'm not even through my first roll of flux core yet!! On the downside I did a few more welds after that and made my grinder happy again...!

More pics tonight.

[AtomicZombie]

Nice work!

Brad

[ggriffin924]

Your moving right along, and my welds looked like yours also, I used a little bondo on one or two of them, and left the rest. I found each weld you do, it starts to look better and takes less time to clean up. Yours look plenty strong, also maybe with just the kids they won't have to support as much weight. I like the front end round tubing you used, from the front of the bike. Cool.

-Griffin-

[jimFPU]

OK, pics as promised...

The caps I bought which are almost excatly what we need for the right size hubs:
http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r399/jnk6/DSC00115.jpg

Paper patterns with glue stick:
http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r399/jnk6/DSCI0288.jpg

Then turned into this:
http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r399/jnk6/DSC00111.jpg
http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r399/jnk6/DSC00110.jpg


Need to get paint and bolts tomorrow, and then I can thread the wheels!

[TheKid]

Excellent work. On welds with the voids, I've been going over the spots with the welder, then using a flap disc, on the advice from a friend in the auto restoration biz. He said it's not so bad on something cosmetic, but anything structural should have no voids at all. I'm finding I use a lot less bondo, and the little bit of added work turns out to be almost a wash.

[ggriffin924]

My welding sounds a lot like what "Kid" does, I take a wire brush wheel on my drill after I weld a bit, and it takes off the haze from the gas, so I can see where it needs to be filled more or if there is a void etc. I have to touch up a few places normally then grind down maybe a high place or two, but seldom anymore using bondo. You know when your getting good penetration, if you start blowing holes in your work. LOL :eek: The flap disk really polishes up your weld area.

-Griffin-

[SirJoey]

Jim, where'd you get your "caps" that you made your hub flanges out of,
& what are their OD & thickness?

http://img384.imageshack.us/img384/7131/sirjoeysigmedij1.gif

[jimFPU]

2 1/4 inches by 1/16 I think...got them at the metal shop where I buy my steel.

[TheKid]

I have to touch up a few places normally then grind down maybe a high place or two, but seldom anymore using bondo.

From what I understand, that's the goal of true restorers - no bondo. My brothers' father in law said in the old days, there was no bondo, and it was invented to speed things up. My friend says that bondo is unacceptable to a lot of collectors. For example, production shops (Where most of us get body work done) might fix a rusted panel by cutting the rotted portion off, then welding a new part of the panel in place, and fixing the seam with body filler. A restorer will often fabricate the panel, weld it in place, the grind and sand until the seam is undetectable. That's a very simplified description, it's a bit more complicated.

[Richie Rich]

My brothers' father in law said in the old days, there was no bondo, and it was invented to speed things up.OT FYI - Back in the early days of hot rodding ("BB" - Before Bondo), cars were customized or repaired with lead - hence the term "Lead Sled". All of the major auto manufacturers used it to fill body seams on the assembly line. It took quite a skill to be able to use it. Then, plastic filler came along and today it's rare to find someone who can still work with lead in a body shop.

.....Richie....

[TheKid]

That's right. My BFI-L used lead, but he got lead poisoning doing repairs back in the 40's, and after that stopped using it. From then on, it was hammers and dollies, and welding when necessary, until body filler came along. But he also said lead was a slower and more dangerous process compared to Bondo. Right up until the time he died in 1988 at age 67, he never used Bondo on any collectible cars that came in for restoration.

[jimFPU]

A curious thing happened...when I laced the new hub. The rim would not 'center' in between the flanges. I used the spokes from the old rear rim...then remembered that the free wheel side spokes are a tiny bit shorter...

I'm going to try and fix this problem by using spokes from the front wheel and see what happens...

[TheKid]

That's very common on multi speed rear hubs. One side has shorter spokes so the rim is in line with the frame.

[jimFPU]

I 'know' that but didn't 'think' about it until I tried to line it up...LOL! And then to 'fix' it I took the spokes out of a 28 spoke front wheel...


Think about it-it will come to you!

[jimFPU]

Woo Hoo!! The new owner sits on the Baby Wolf.:D

http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r399/jnk6/DSCI0321.jpg

[Odd Man Out]

One Excellent job!!! Congratulations on making your child one of the most envied around. :)

[AtomicZombie]

Great stuff! Say, how are you gonna keep up now? Time for a motor.

Brad

[greenevegiebeast]

Jim that looks realy good, what size wheels are the back ones???

[SirJoey]

Wow, great job on that one, Jim.

(The trike ain't bad, either!) ;)

http://img185.imageshack.us/img185/9206/signaturehalloweenvr0.jpg

[Doc Hollywood]

How is she gonna pedal that thing like the Flintstones?:D

Seriously good job so far.

[jimFPU]

Thanks all. Drive train to be added this week sometime hopefully. I have to build the rear freewheel adapter and add the brake adapter.

16" front wheel, 26" in the back. Still have to add fenders or some sort of protection for the arms and have to mod the handle bars to work better.

Thanks for the plans Brad, this really is fun.

My dad is visiting and said 'that's really cool.' He's been a Harley rider for years, so this was a big compliment for me.

[jimFPU]

Added the brakes tonight...
http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r399/jnk6/DSC00122.jpg
http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r399/jnk6/DSC00121.jpg

And you can also see the freewheel that I couldn't break loose-welded in place!
http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r399/jnk6/DSC00120.jpg

[AtomicZombie]

Won't be long before you are ready for paint. Nice!

Brad

[jimFPU]

I'll be getting my chain breaker today so I can start splicing chains, and do the real test runs! The kids are fighting over who gets to ride right now as it is...none of them wants to push!! Soon....

I have this on the list: rear wheel guards/fenders, chain and pulleys, tweak the seat, test, and paint for final delivery.

Also finished the front wheel mounts for the Baby Fox while waiting for tools.

[jimFPU]

OK, here is the sprocket hack I was talking about:

http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r399/jnk6/DSC00157.jpg

[jimFPU]

So I did. First, start by going to Atomic Zombie and steal someone else's idea...and hack apart some old bars:

http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r399/jnk6/DSC00149.jpg

Then bend the EMT to shape and cut...I'll have to do better next time with the USS mount (not quite the right angle)

http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r399/jnk6/DSC00153.jpg

Weld the bar center and bar end to the new EMT bar so as to get the right thickness for shifters, grips, brakes and neck, and mount to Wolf:

http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r399/jnk6/DSC00155.jpg

1/2 EMT is somewhat flimsy for bigger people (wouldn't recommend for teens on up). I may have to find something else later on, but I built these from parts on hand, so in a sense they only cost time.

Also if you want to copy these, I would recommend these measurements: outside bends are 60 degrees, the inner ones are 30 degrees. I made mine a bit too wide and had to tweak once on the bike, so i ended up making them about this size: bar ends are 12" to first bend, 9" to second bend, and a 6" center (roughly). If you look closely there is an 'extra' bend in the middle, that is my 'tweak bend'. So if you make them look more like cruiser bars, and then add length to them you'll do just fine.

[jimFPU]

The wholoe thing:

http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r399/jnk6/DSC00154.jpg

[SirJoey]

Basically, the same thing I did on my first one...

Although it looks a little "raw", IMO, this worked well for me, Jim.

http://img510.imageshack.us/img510/2676/idlersprocketmt9.jpg


http://img185.imageshack.us/img185/9206/signaturehalloweenvr0.jpg

[jimFPU]

Only problem is Joey, mine is on the power side and so you can't pedal in reverse or it changes gears due to the chain deflection, other that that it works great...maybe I'll just add a triple and reverse the front chain and make this the transmission...

[SirJoey]

Yeah, looking at your pics again, I see that now.
That didn't even occur to me, the first time around.
In that case... BUMMER! LOL!

Looks pretty kool, though!


http://img185.imageshack.us/img185/9206/signaturehalloweenvr0.jpg

[Sling Blad]

Nice mods! Those look much more comfortable compared to the other pics with the "down-low" bars. Excellent job and thanks for the bar bend angles. Those will come in handy.

[jimFPU]

Just remember to make the 'inside' bends (the ones closer to the neck) a bit shorter than I made mine so they fit closer to the seat.

[jimFPU]

Well, as cool and comfortable as the USS was, it was not as functional as it needed to be and there was too much turn-feet-steering interference to keep it. As this is a shortened frame, this was an unexpected problem. It was also difficult for my DD to change gears with just one hand.

So alas we have 'unmoded' the mod...


http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r399/jnk6/DSC00192.jpg

http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r399/jnk6/DSC00190.jpg

[SirJoey]

Man, that is such a neat little ride! :)


http://img356.imageshack.us/img356/2839/thanksgivingsigsmalllu5.jpg

[klocwerk]

Man, that is such a neat little ride! :)

it is, in fact, so cute!

[jimFPU]

Thanks, guys...wait untill I paint it pink, then it will be cute!!

[John Lewis]

What a great looking bike. I think the OSS suits it.

John Lewis

[cyclesaver]

Great machine, Jim,,, can you tell me a bit about your seat ? Just how did you finish off the edges of the pet guard where you have the gromets. are they just doubled over pet guard, or did you also sew some other material to it, so the gromets will not pull through the mesh ?` Thanks for your advice

[jimFPU]

Terry, I'll try and get some close-ups tonight, but I used the plans from Rick Horwitz's Thunderbolt (http://www.ihpva.org/com/PracticalInnovations/seat_fabrication.htm). I didn't build the bending jig he did, just bent each side individually. I used 1" material (got it from Wally World's sewing section), wrapped twice (I think!! I've slept since then!) and the I used a drill pres to open the holes for the grommets. Also I used 80% Solar screen and not Pet screen. Not sure which is better, but it seems to be holding so far.

[cyclesaver]

sure appreciate the help and photos, Jim,,,, thats where I am at right now,, I am looking for some one with an industrial sewing machine that can sew on what ever I use for reinforcment on the edge,, I see he used 2 inch webbing on that seat building site. Pet guard looks pretty much like what you got, so I assumed that is what you used. I thought I read that some one was melting the edges after folding them over,,,, I have not tried that yet on a peice of scrap to see if it would work,,

[jimFPU]

Webbing....that's it. I used 1". I also used a regular sewing machine, I just took my time. I've had some experience with the industrial ones (for aircraft insulation) and since I was using screen, it gave me zero problems, and I never broke a needle. Most of the time one will break a needle due to forcing the material through faster than the machine can handle it or not letting it go through fast enough. Just keep the material flat and together and let the machine do the work.

[jimFPU]

Here are some of the seat details:

http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r399/jnk6/DSC00201-1.jpg

http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r399/jnk6/DSC00196.jpg

Slight sag in back of seat but it's quite comfortable when seated...

http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r399/jnk6/DSC00197.jpg

Also sand-blasted the front wheel, painted the whole thing-spokes and all- greased the bearings after cleaning and bought a new tire...will look good once all is complete. Sand-blaster is small, so I'll have to use a wire wheel on most of the BW.

http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r399/jnk6/DSC00202.jpg

[SirJoey]

Dang Jim, you're a pro on those seats!
I'm gonna order my next one from YOU! :D


http://img356.imageshack.us/img356/2839/thanksgivingsigsmalllu5.jpg

[jimFPU]

Hey SJ, I copied Griffin and RH! I'm building another one very similar for the Baby Fox.

I'll build one for the 2 Street Fighters that are on order also, so maybe I'll be practiced by then and I can sell you one cheap!!

[cyclesaver]

Thanks, Jim,, that helps me out on that seat. Ya did a super job on it.

[jimFPU]

PAINT!!!!

We got the Baby painted this weekend, and am in the process of putting her back together! Hopefully I'll have pics tonight!!

[jimFPU]

All pink and ready to go:

(It's difficult to see in these pics but there is silver glitter paint on as a top coat.)

http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r399/jnk6/DSC00113-1.jpg

The back with lunch box-sized cargo holder (still have to put the wooden floor in it...):

http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r399/jnk6/DSC00113-14.jpg

Brake:

http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r399/jnk6/DSC00113-116.jpg

Steering:

http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r399/jnk6/DSC00113-117.jpg

[jimFPU]

Cable routing:

http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r399/jnk6/DSC00113-112.jpg

http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r399/jnk6/DSC00113-113.jpg

http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r399/jnk6/DSC00113-115.jpg

http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r399/jnk6/DSC00113-113.jpg

[jimFPU]

Rear view:

http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r399/jnk6/DSC00113-13.jpg

And of course graphics!!!
On the back:

http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r399/jnk6/DSC00113-11.jpg

On the steering column:

http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r399/jnk6/DSC00113-12.jpg

[greenevegiebeast]

That adds ew mening to the frase "prety in pink"

[SirJoey]

SWEET, Jim! Man, that's gonna make some little Wolfette happy, eh?

Nice job on the cabling. Looks like that welding the stops & guides on, worked, huh?
The cable stops really give one a professional touch, IMO!


http://img356.imageshack.us/img356/2839/thanksgivingsigsmalllu5.jpg

[jimFPU]

Worked great, thanks for the tip. Even had to move on once, and there was very little grinding required and no new damage done!!

This has just been a blast!! Now on to the Baby Fox, but I don't think it will be downsized much, LOL!

Oh, yes the DD is very happy, as evidenced by the big smile!!:D

http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r399/jnk6/th_MOV00104.jpg (http://s353.photobucket.com/albums/r399/jnk6/?action=view&current=MOV00104.flv)

[Radical Brad]

That is just perfect! Great show!

Hey, wanna race?..... hmmmmm forget it, she would win.

Brad

[jimFPU]

Thanks Brad! You did a great job on the plans and thanks to everyone for all the advice!

(BTW, if you're a lurker and afraid to get started-get over it and build!! I only started this thing over the summer!! Third week in August!)

[Radical Brad]

Thanks! Seeing these great machines come to life is what makes this all worthwhile for me. Nothing beats a home built ride!

Brad


Thanks Brad! You did a great job on the plans and thanks to everyone for all the advice!

(BTW, if you're a lurker and afraid to get started-get over it and build!! i only started this thing over the summer!! Third week in August!)

[John Lewis]

Great job Jim. Loved that little video.

You have one happy little rider there.

I second what you said about Brad's great designs and getting in and having a go.

John Lewis