Closer yet: Steering done, with rod ends!

[rykoala]

My gallery is acting up so I haven't put the pictures up yet but last night I started on the pushrod for the steering with real-deal rod ends and finished it this evening.

The bike is SO MUCH easier to ride with the correct steering set up. It is very tight and rides great.

I decided not to do anything about the bump steer for now. I am not very concerned with it right now. I think the frame is just too long. This is my first build after all, and its going to have its bugs. That's what *next* time is for.

I took it for another spin around the block and its great. I moved the BB forward a bit and its more comfortable. I was even able to get some speed (higher gearing, still single speed) and it was great! I really like the bike and commuting on it will be GREAT fun.

Now I just have to clean up the frame, pad the seating, paint it, and install the gearing and second brake. Then, I RIDE the wee out of it!

More later.

[trikeman]

If the frame is too long, its a simple matter for a welder to cut out a section and weld it back together. I have embarassingly admitted before that when I built my DW, I made the main boom too short, so I just cut it and welded in about 3 more inches.

[rykoala]

I know I could shorten it, but I really don't want to. I've come this far in the build and it doesn't really affect the bike very much. I don't want to modify the frame this late in the game, no matter how hard or simple it would be. I may brace it a bit but not right now.

I got a derailer hanger installed and aligned and it shifts beautifully. I have to put in a front derailer that works still, but that will come later.

I took it for a spin tonight and it works so nicely! I can't wait to get it finished. The biggest thing right now is getting the chain tucked away with an extra derailer under the pilots steering. Once that is done, then its frame clean up, bracing the front end, and painting it.

[trikeman]

Yes, I understand the desire to get it on the road. I know it pained me to cut mine apart and make it longer, but I finally did it. Longer I could live with much easier than too short, since having one too short is hard on the knees.

[rykoala]

I decided that rather than make it shorter, I am going to brake it. I'm going to add a gusset to the pilots steering down tube and then add a 3/4" square tube between the pilots head tube and the main head tube. I had planned on doing it before but I accidentally cut the tube too short. I'm going to shim it with some other metal rather than make the tube a lot longer and then cut it back down from the other side. Its only about 1/4" short. I could probably tack weld it on (the ends just *barely touch* their mating tubes) and then fill in the gaps but I don't want to overheat the head tubes. I'm not a fan of huge holes, or filling them LOL.