Front disk brakes for Streetfighter?

[ArtlessWilbury]

I love the look of the Streetfighter and would really like to build one. What I have in mind is building it as an electric vehicle with solar panels fitted to it.

Bodywork and electrical stuff isn't an issue, but my mechanical skills are ... er ... a bit basic! I'll be getting a machine shop to weld the chassis up for me as I really wouldn't trust my welding.

I would really need front disk brakes as well as rear brakes in order to make this happen. Can anyone shed some light on how this could be achieved?

[TheKid]

The steering for the Streetfighter and the Streetfox are the same. I have disks on my tadpole using this system. You need to fabricate or buy a caliper mount for the caliper you want to use, then weld it to the wheel mount. I'll have pics of mine tomorrow.

[TheKid]

I had problems unloading the camera. I'll have the pics as soon as I find the problem.

[ArtlessWilbury]

Thanks for looking into this for me. I appreciate it.

I'll buy the plans this evening and start reading through...

[AtomicZombie]

If you use 36 hole hubs with a 20mm through-axle mount, you can make some nice 20 inch disc brake wheels....

http://www.dropnzone.com/images/product/Quando20mmsm2.jpg

Use a hollow 20mm stub axle welded onto the front tabs that would normally have the 14mm hole drilled for the BMX axles.

Brad

[trikeman]

If you use 36 hole hubs with a 20mm through-axle mount, you can make some nice 20 inch disc brake wheels....

http://www.dropnzone.com/images/product/Quando20mmsm2.jpg

Use a hollow 20mm stub axle welded onto the front tabs that would normally have the 14mm hole drilled for the BMX axles.

Brad

I am not sure I understand what you just said Brad, but I think you are saying to use the Quandro hub shown on this page, and weld an adapter to hold the caliper?

http://www.dropnzone.com/Products.cfm?Cat=14

[AtomicZombie]

Exactly. You can get a 20mm hollow axle adapter as well for your standard forkset. Just weld a plate on the front fork to hold the caliper just like it was done for the rear.

Brad

I am not sure I understand what you just said Brad, but I think you are saying to use the Quandro hub shown on this page, and weld an adapter to hold the caliper?

http://www.dropnzone.com/Products.cfm?Cat=14

[jimFPU]

You mean like this (http://www.atomiczombie.com/gallery/bradgraham/tricruiser.htm)? Seems like that would be a better way to do the Street Fox also.

[AtomicZombie]

No, that's a standard 14mm axle. This is what I mean...

http://www.lucidscience.com/temp/20mmhubs.jpg

The reason I did not use these is because they are a lot more expensive and require spoking since they are normally on 26 inch rims.

Brad


You mean like this (http://www.atomiczombie.com/gallery/bradgraham/tricruiser.htm)? Seems like that would be a better way to do the Street Fox also.

[lumo]

http://www.lucidscience.com/temp/20mmhubs.jpg

sorry to hop in here.. but dont you need more power to move this type of axle mount with a "simple" bolt... usually you got bearings at the steering...

[AtomicZombie]

Yes, this is one of the reasons that trike never made it to the painting stage.
Not enough elbow room , either.

Brad

[greenevegiebeast]

Then to add to the misery, 125$ an axel.

[blupe]

Maybe I am being a bit dense (possibly coming down with a cold?), but are you saying that a 20mm hub would be required for front disk brakes on the Street Fighter? Since my main reason for looking into building one is that I would like a fully enclosed velomobile for winter (and otherwise bad weather) riding, without having to spend the thousands of dollars to import one, I would like front disk brakes to handle the extra weight of a full fairing. (I am also looking at the Street Fox and wondering how hard it would be to put a full fairing on it, as well as disk brakes.)

(Of course, all of this is dependent upon figuring out how to do bike building while living in an apartment... :confused:)

[AtomicZombie]

Yes, 20mm hubs are the only cost effective way way I can think of to add disc brakes to the front. A formula 36 hole 20mm disc hub is not much more than a decent 14mm hub.

Brad

[trikeman]

I am so far behind on bicycle technology, I don't think I have ever seen a 20mm axle.I guess they look like this?

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/images/dmr-trailblade-2-20mm.jpg

[blupe]

Okay. Thanks. Disk brakes seem to be a lot more common today than they were even a few years ago.

Now, do you have any suggestions about trying to do bike construction while living in a one bed room apartment...? ;)

[trikeman]

Okay. Thanks. Disk brakes seem to be a lot more common today than they were even a few years ago.

Now, do you have any suggestions about trying to do bike construction while living in a one bed room apartment...? ;)

1. Do not weld or grind steel on the carpet or bed. You need some place fireproof to build a frame. Outside works well, if you have power out there.

2. The rest is just assembling parts and can easily be done inside.

3. If you happen to build something like the DW inside, make sure it will fit through the door when you are done.

4 If there are no women who must be obeyed around, a kitchen table makes a good workbench.

[Trailblazzzzzer]

1. Do not weld or grind steel on the carpet or bed. You need some place fireproof to build a frame. Outside works well, if you have power out there.

2. The rest is just assembling parts and can easily be done inside.

3. If you happen to build something like the DW inside, make sure it will fit through the door when you are done.

4 If there are no women who must be obeyed around, a kitchen table makes a good workbench.

Sounds likes lessons learned at the "School of Hard Knocks"

[Sparky]

i taught myself welding in a one-room apartment. did all the welding and grinding on my 5 ft square porch. built some nice heavy duty bumpers for my jeep too.

-get on good terms with the neighbors- dont grind or weld "after hours", preferably when they arent there.

-put down some plywood to minimize burns to the porch.

-DO NOT tell the landlord. i dont know for sure, but i highly suspect that if he would have found out what i was doing, he would have evicted me on the spot.

- keep a fire extinguisher visibly within reach. this is a good idea anyway, but it would help out lots visually if someone didnt like what you were doing.

:D

[John Lewis]

I posted this link in Streetfox brakes thread. It may help with the hub problem so I'll post it here too.

http://www.fleettrikes.com/tthindex.htm

Click on Brakes in the index. Look about half way down under disk brakes. Info on converting MTB hub.

John Lewis

[blupe]

I live alone, but I don't know about the kitchen table-- I'd have to see if it is stable enough).

I managed to turn my landlord on to using waste veggie oil (although, unfortunately, haven't been able to convert myself-- he had a source for the oil, I don't, and his father had a diesel truck, and I don't), so he might be forgiving, but I don't think I will tell him ahead of time anyway. Until the weather turns nasty, I might be able to use my patio, since it is concrete. The balcony upstairs is wood, though, and maybe I should use tarps to protect the bushes.... And a decent extension cord, due to lack of outlets... what sort of voltage does a wall mounted air conditioner use? It's outlet is near the patio door.

I don't have a lot of the stuff on the list on page 7 of Bicycle Builder's Bonanza, so I might need to look into Craig's List and Freecycle and the local stores...

Thanks!

[trikeman]

My kitchen table is one of those old farm-house type pine tables - very stable. I can only use it as a workbench when my wife isn't home [g]. I see a lot of them and large sturdy desks at the thrift store for between $10 and $30. I usually wiggle them to see how sturdy they are.

I was only kidding of course about most of my first response, but please do no even think of welding or grinding inside your apartment. molten metal is great at starting fires. I have started several on plywood tops and the like with my welder. The sparks from a grinder are even worse and they go everywhere. You would not want to be responsible for burning down your apartment, especially if a neighbor happens to be asleep and gets hurt or killed.

The concrete patio outside is all you really need. I welded on the driveway before I got my welding table. An old table placed on the patio would probably be perfect for what you need. The amount of time you actually spend grinding and welding is pretty small, so you can do it on nice days. Be forewarned that grinding steel makes lots of metal dust and shavings. They turn everything they touch orange. Another option is to set up a couple of sawhorses in the parking lot. Put a piece of plywood over them and workable but flimsy workbench. An old worn out gas BBQ grill makes a good grinding and welding stand. Its fireproof and if you leave the lid on it you can contain the sparks reasonable well. Just clean it up and adapt it to your situation. If you get one with those little sides on it it, you could even mount a vice there.

You will also need a couple of old bikes and some steel tubing. I get my bikes from the thrift store mostly, and I have a good steel supplier, but one of my local welding shops sells steel in small quantities for reasonable prices.

Good luck with it.

As for tools all you really need is a few hand tools, a file, a welder of some sort, a hacksaw, and grinder. You can buy a good Lincoln or MIller AC arc welder off craigslist for about $100 if you are patient. I wanted an AC/DC one and they cost about $50-$100 more. They are heavy though. Mine weighs about 100 pounds. If you want to spend more money get a 120v or 230v (better and more $$) wire welder. Wire welders are easier to use and much lighter to carry around. My wire welder weighs about 60 pounds and is easier to transport. Search the forum for recommendations. Don't forget to search the old forum too.

As to the Air Conditioner voltage, it depends. If you take a picture of the outlet (or draw a picture) we might be able to tell you. You can also google for electric plugs to find out. Most small AC units are 120v. Many devices have a label near the plug telling you what they are. Here is a good page with some configurations

http://www.frentzandsons.com/Hardware%20References/plugandreceptacleconfiguratio.htm

Do not buy a cheesy (one with small wire) extension cord. I made mine from 10-3 extension cords from either Home Depot or Harbor Freight. I but of the ends and replaced them with higher amperage ends for my 120v one, and with 230v ends for my big welder.

[Trailblazzzzzer]

I have been working on my StreetFighter on my carport until recently.
My neighbors garage burned down a few months ago (with his car in it).
He tore down the garage and the shed next to the garage.
He needed a place to keep the shed contents, and me like a dummy says "ah heck, neighbor you can keep it under my carport to keep it outta the rain".
Well, now I aint got a car port.
Since his stuff has a history of catchin fire, I will put my project on hold till he clears out of the carport.
Dang
Davo

[TheKid]

I cut up some folding metal tables found in the trash, and place the sheet metal on the plywood to stop the fires. It works well, and is cheaper than using aluminum foil that was suggested by someone. I still would not grind or weld in the house under any circumstances. Sparks fly everywhere, and the fumes could be dangerous as well.

[greenevegiebeast]

Kid so you mean me grinding and choping up bike frames in my living room was a bad idea, I gues i shouldnt do it any more.:D




What you think I was kidding, how else can I watch tv and work on my projects.:D

[Sparky]

i would never advise anyone to weld or grind inside.

ive done it. it was dangerous. i shouldnt have done it. please dont do it.

but, it was the only level, flat place i had that was big enough to have all 4 of the streetfighter's wheels on the ground. which is essential to making it properly. i used plywood to protect the floor and kept fans running.

my AC was 120 volt, with a 30 amp plug. still wasnt enough power to weld with. i now use my dryer outlet, and an extension cord made with 12g romex and 2 220V rated plug ends.

[TheKid]

I'd be more afraid of the wife than starting a fire. You could probably outrun a fire before it got a chance to really get started, but it's been my experience that irate women suddenly become Nolan Ryan when throwing things.

[greenevegiebeast]

#1 The wife wasnt at home.:D

#2 it was one of my few saterdays off work.:D

#3 wet vack need I say more.:D

#4 I slep in the living room on the couch for the next week when she found out.:eek:

Moral to the story no mater what the "Man" of the house thinks the "Woman" of the house is THE boss

[SirJoey]

...no mater what the "Man" of the house thinks the "Woman" of the house is THE boss

Not in my house. Never has been. Ever.
Never will be.

Hmmm.... maybe that's why I'm alone,
except for a ghost & a retarded Chihuahua... :rolleyes:


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

[greenevegiebeast]

let me guess the chuaha is female.:D

[SirJoey]

let me guess the chuaha is female.:D

Yep, & I guess I was wrong about a female not being the boss, cuz she thinks she is!

Of course, she really IS retarded, though. :rolleyes:

..........http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/7949/spunkywallpicts0.jpg..........


As for the ghost, I call him Charlie. Don't think he's a retard, though...



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

[TheKid]

#4 I slep in the living room on the couch for the next week when she found out.


Sure beats being a missle target!

[blupe]

Well, I might not have to use my apartment (inside or out)-- there is a community bike shop. (I hadn't realized it is still around-- it changed locations when I was living elsewhere a couple years back.) They are on the second floor of a building (hmm..., that might get interesting), and don't have welding stuff, although they said there was someone I should talk to who wasn't around. They are only open Thursday nights, and I work second shift two out of every three Thursday nights.


Now I need to locate parts and stuff, but not right now. Got a sore throat these last few days and think I should see a doctor.