theDude's build thread

[theDude]

Hello everybody. I just downloaded the plans a couple days ago and started picking up bikes and parts today. I got two 20" bikes from the Salvation Army for $15 for the pair, the suspension bike from WallyWorld for $80, and ordered my front wheels. I already cut off the head tubes and cut the suspended triangle from the mountain bike. I can't wait to get some more time to work on this thing. I'm going to go by the steel shop on Monday and see if I can find some 1.5" tubing. I pulled a 26" street semi-slick off my wife's old bike for the rear and bought a pair of 20" semi-slicks from the bike shop. I'm waiting for my new air-grinder to get here so I can start trimming up the head tubes. I have an old electric one but that thing makes such a huge racket compared to the air ones.

Here's what I was able to accomplish today:

http://www.projects.archersdad.com/gallery2/d/25-2/StreetFox20080619005.jpg (http://www.saltbucket.com/d/13699-1/20080619005.jpg)

[Richie Rich]

Welcome to the AZ Krew, 'Dude'.....

It looks like you're off to a good start. Soon, you'll be like the rest of us with a giant pile of parts.

By posting that picture, you've passed the first test to becoming an Official Zombie....Congratulations...!! :D

We like LOTS of pictures, so be sure to post pix of your progress here as you go along.

Best of luck with the StreetFox....

......Richie Rich >>
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[SirJoey]

Welcome to the Krew, Dude! As Richie said, you started out right by posting a pic on your very first post! Don't think anyone else has ever done that, so kudos to you!

Looks like you're jumping in with both feet!

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

[theDude]

Thanks guys. Another day down. Not too much done today, my 7 month old boy was having a rough day :(. Anyway, I got the rear tire mounted (a Nimbus 26 x 1.5). And here is also a somewhat blurry pic of the 20s I bought. They're just Cheng-shins but they were on sale for $6 a piece so I couldn't pass them up. The 20 wheels I ordered are from bikewheels.com and should be here some time next week.I never did get time to go to the steel yard. Maybe Monday... I'm out of town until then so all the parts will have to keep themselves company.

http://www.projects.archersdad.com/gallery2/d/28-2/StreetFox080620001.jpg (http://www.projects.archersdad.com/gallery2/d/26-3/StreetFox080620001.jpg)

http://www.projects.archersdad.com/gallery2/d/29-2/StreetFox080620002.jpg

[theDude]

I made it to the steel shop today. I left $45 poorer but with a beautiful stack of tubing and plate :). I can't wait for my new MIG welder to get here this week. I'm trying to avoid using my stick welder since I spend more time cleaning up my welds than I do welding :rolleyes:.

http://www.projects.archersdad.com/gallery2/d/33-2/StreetFox080623001.jpg (http://www.saltbucket.com/d/13708-1/StreetFox080623001.jpg)

[gbbwolf]

Hot Rolled axle rod.
Hope yours don't need turned down in a lathe.
Not much luck with hot roll.

[theDude]

Hot Rolled axle rod.
Hope yours don't need turned down in a lathe.
Not much luck with hot roll.

That one is just the crossbar for the steering so it doesn't need to be too accurate. :)

[gbbwolf]

Just saw what forum im in lol.
Hot rolled for axles does stink though.

[TheKid]

That's quite heavy for the steering. There's no chance of that puppy bending!

[theDude]

That's quite heavy for the steering. There's no chance of that puppy bending! I think the shadow makes it look beefier than it really is. It's exactly what the plans called for; 1/2" with 1/16" wall.

Hot rolled for axles does stink though.I'll keep that in mind for my next project. I'm just getting started on this one and I'm already looking for parts for Kyoto Cruiser :cool:.

I went ahead and ordered my dual brake lever and some bearing rod ends. I hope I can keep this pace up. I have a nagging feeling I forgot something and I'll be stuck for a week waiting for parts to show up.

Does anybody go ahead and spray primer on parts that might sit for a few days or do you just leave them and clean up later if necessary?

[TheKid]

Yes, it's the shadow. It looks like solid 1/2" or 5/8" rod. I have the plans, but never noticed since I built mine before the plans were published. (Don't ask. Please. ) 1/2" hollow tube is still quite strong, probably stronger than you'd ever need, but that's how Brad likes to design and build 'em. I normally would use 3/8" rod, but I only had 1/2" square tube to work with, so that's what I used. That's the beauty of these designs. You could almost always find a way to use things you have laying around as an alternative to what the plans suggest.

[gbbwolf]

Looked solid to me too lol

[theDude]

lol, that would be one hell of a steering tube!

[SirJoey]

Does anybody go ahead and spray primer on parts that might sit for a few days or do you just leave them and clean up later if necessary?

If it's parts that still have that greasy film on the steel, then there's no need. If it's stuff I've had to clean up for welding, marking, etc, then I'll spray 'em & wipe 'em down with WD40. It too, will dry up in time, but not right away, & you can always re-spray, & it's easier to clean off than primer, when you're ready.

I've taken so long on some projects, that I've had to re-spray with the old WD, myself.

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

[theDude]

If it's stuff I've had to clean up for welding, marking, etc, then I'll spray 'em & wipe 'em down with WD40.

Thanks for the tip. I actually had to move a can of WD-40 to clear enough room in my garage to weld. I guess I was thinking weld weld weld. What do you use to clean it off before you paint?

I made a little bit of progress today. I ground down the rear triangle pivot tube, filled two holes in it, and cleaned up my welds. I have no idea why I waited so long to buy a MIG welder. I love this thing. I just bought the cheap-o hobby model from HF. The local shop had one that was reconditioned (it looks brand new to me) for $80 so I couldn't pass that up. I'm better with MIG after 15 minutes of practice than I am with my stick welder after using it for 5 years. Maybe I'm just REALLY bad at stick welding :(. I also did a bit of grinding on one of the fork stems.

Here's a rather boring pic of the pivot tube, ready to be welded onto the main boom:
http://www.projects.archersdad.com/gallery2/d/36-2/StreetFox20080627001_001.jpg (http://www.saltbucket.com/d/13711-1/StreetFox20080627001.jpg)

[TheKid]

Great price on the welder. I bought a cheapie from Pep Boys for $180, and it looks a lot like the HF models, but my neighbor (A welder by trade) says the one I have has some better components. I went to PB today to get some tips, and they now have the same welder, with a cart, auto-darkening helmet, and gloves for $200. Isn't that always the way? I recently ordered a Hobart EZ, because I heard it was much better than mine and I was ready to step up, but my neighbor said to wait a while, he knows some guys at work who will be retiring this year and moving, so he'll be able to get a better welder for a good price, maybe 100 bucks or so.
Anyway, it looks like you're making some good progress. Once all your tubes are welded in place, it should go quicker.

[SirJoey]

What do you use to clean it off before you paint?

I use Purple Power, then rinse it off with clear water from the garden hose. The stuff will totally strip clean, any greasy or oily film, & rinses off clean as a whistle, leaving the steel "squeaky clean".

Any good grease cutting cleaning solution would prolly work though, as long as it rinses of completely. Purple Power rinses off nicely, cuz you mix the concentrate with water anyway. I buy the 1 gallon jugs of the concentrate & mix it myself in a spray bottle.

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

[theDude]

Thanks guys. I have some biodegradable Simple Green degreaser that should work fine then. I'll try it out tonight.

The UPS guy brought me some shiny new wheels :). They are nice and true with no loose spokes but they did pick up a few scratched since there was NO padding in the box, just a piece of really thin plastic :(.

http://www.projects.archersdad.com/gallery2/d/15-2/StreetFox20080627001.jpg (http://www.projects.archersdad.com/gallery2/d/13-1/StreetFox20080627001.jpg)

...and with the tires mounted:
http://www.projects.archersdad.com/gallery2/d/22-2/StreetFox20080627002.jpg (http://www.saltbucket.com/d/13717-1/StreetFox20080627002.jpg)

[theDude]

I kicked butt today. I welded the rear pivot tube and seat/suspension post:

http://www.projects.archersdad.com/gallery2/d/48-1/StreetFox20080628001.jpg (http://www.projects.archersdad.com/gallery2/d/46-1/StreetFox20080628001.jpg)

cut, welded, and cleaned up the front wheel arms:

http://www.projects.archersdad.com/gallery2/d/42-1/StreetFox20080628002.jpg (http://www.projects.archersdad.com/gallery2/d/40-1/StreetFox20080628002.jpg)

and cleaned, welded, ground, cut, rewelded, and reground both head tubes:

http://www.projects.archersdad.com/gallery2/d/45-2/StreetFox20080628003.jpg (http://www.projects.archersdad.com/gallery2/d/43-1/StreetFox20080628003.jpg)

Now I'm headed inside to eat a huge plate of home-made pasta we picked up this morning at the farmer's market followed by a brownie and ice cream :). It's been a pretty good day.

[gbbwolf]

Good progress and nice pics.
Be at a rollin frame before ya know it.

Nice

Nelson

[AtomicZombie]

So far - so good!

Brad

[theDude]

I finished the steering tubes tonight. Wow that 1/4" steel takes a lot of time to cut. I had to break my weld twice on the first one but I got the second one right the first time. :)

http://www.projects.archersdad.com/gallery2/d/53-2/StreetFox20080702001.jpg (http://www.projects.archersdad.com/gallery2/d/51-1/StreetFox20080702001.jpg)

[Sparky]

wow, those are so much prettier than mine.

ok, new rule. no one gets to look at ANY of my welds from closer than 6 feet.

[TheKid]

Mine looked like that until one of them broke. I ground off just a wee bit too much. So I rewelded both just to make sure, and removed only the slag, spatter, and some high spots. Once painted and installed, you can't see the flaws.

[theDude]

I almost left the welds like they were. I had a continuous bead that ran around the bottom that was probably the best I've ever had. :rolleyes: Sparks, just wait until you see a close-up of the weld on my seat post. It's hideous!

[locolarry]

I'm with Sparky..six feet or NO GLASSES! I keep grinding and polishing until I've gone too far, then I have to try to "Fix it". I feel like I'm making progress, tho. If I can just have one more day with no interruptions I might just have a rolling chassis...

[SirJoey]

Beefy! That's some real nice work, Dude!

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

[theDude]

We were out of town for the holiday weekend and I was itching to work on my SF all day. I had just enough time to mount the cross bar, make both front brake arms, and file out one of the fish-mouths for the steering tubes. It got dark faster than I thought it would and I would have really liked to finish both of the fish-mouths :(. I should have just time tomorrow to finish up the filing work and mount the steering tubes and rear suspension. Rolling chassis here I come!

http://www.projects.archersdad.com/gallery2/d/56-2/StreetFox20080707001.jpg (http://www.projects.archersdad.com/gallery2/d/54-1/StreetFox20080707001.jpg)

http://www.projects.archersdad.com/gallery2/d/59-2/StreetFox20080707002.jpg (http://www.projects.archersdad.com/gallery2/d/57-1/StreetFox20080707002.jpg)

[AtomicZombie]

Rolling right along now. The rest is easy from here.

Brad

[theDude]

OK. I lied. I didn't even touch my SF yesterday. But, I made up for it today.

I have a rolling chassis! :D

I welded the steerer tubes and the rear shock support tonight, jumped up and down on it like a madman, and then sat on it and rolled around my driveway like a kid at Christmas. It felt great. I can't wait to get this thing done so I can ride it.

Here's a shot of the progress so far:

http://www.projects.archersdad.com/gallery2/d/65-2/StreetFox20080709001.jpg (http://www.projects.archersdad.com/gallery2/d/63-1/StreetFox20080709001.jpg)

I picked up two new donor frames I found on freecycle today. I already pulled the rear arm off the Mongoose but I don't have the heart to cut up the roadie. It's a 1984 (I think) Gitane Esprit. With the steel frame it feels light it weighs a ton compared to my Trek 1500. My neighbor has been thinking of starting riding again so I might have to regift that one. I already have three more to pick up this weekend. :cool:

http://www.projects.archersdad.com/gallery2/d/62-2/bicycle20080709001.jpg (http://www.projects.archersdad.com/gallery2/d/60-1/bicycle20080709001.jpg)

[TheKid]

Now you're cookin'!

[SirJoey]

Dude, that looks good! You're at one of the most exciting stages right now, congrats!

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

[AtomicZombie]

Great!

Brad

[Sparky]

oh yes, i remember that part. youll be pushing it down the street to "get a feel for the steering" in no time!

[theDude]

Sorry I havn;t posted an update in a few days, I've been bust building! I slaved away all day yesterday and all morning today.

I finally took it for a spin! Wow, what a great feeling. I still need to put a pulley on the return side of the chain and upholster the seat. The part I was dreading the most, the handlebars, went smooth as silk. I don't know if I just got luck or what but I didn't have any trouble getting them to match.

Paint, here I come. :cool:

http://www.projects.archersdad.com/gallery2/d/68-2/StreetFox20080713001.jpg (http://www.projects.archersdad.com/gallery2/d/66-1/StreetFox20080713001.jpg)

http://www.projects.archersdad.com/gallery2/d/71-2/StreetFox20080713002.jpg (http://www.projects.archersdad.com/gallery2/d/69-1/StreetFox20080713002.jpg)

[SirJoey]

I've been bust building!
I didn't have any trouble getting them to match.
Wow, what a great feeling.

I'll bet! :D

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

[AtomicZombie]

The force IS with you!

Brad

[SirJoey]

Wow, looks like you've been working on a trike, too! Nice job!
You are truly multi-talented, Dude! :D

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

[gbbwolf]

That looks great and you are cooking right along.

Excellent.


Nelson

[TheKid]

Some padding and paint and she'sready for the gallery. Good work.

[jimFPU]

Wow, that thing looks really good! I can't wait to get started on my Street Fighter.

[theDude]

Alright. I'm sticking a fork in it and calling it done (except for a couple little paint scratches I need to fix). I still need to name it. I hooked my kiddie trailer up and took my son for a ride yesterday. He seems to prefer being pulled behind my SF rather than my wedgie. I guess he would rather see the back of my head than my butt. :D The paint is Rustoleum metallic blue with two coats of gloss clear and a top coat of their safety reflective clear. How is everybody attaching reflectors to the back of these things?

(click the image for the big version)
Here she is, ready to ride:
http://www.projects.archersdad.com/gallery2/d/74-2/StreetFox20080723001.jpg (http://www.projects.archersdad.com/gallery2/d/72-1/StreetFox20080723001.jpg)

The headlight is just a cheap auto driving light that I hook up to a 12V 3AH battery I built for the light on my wedgie. This light is BRIGHT and I get about two hours of run out of the battery.
http://www.projects.archersdad.com/gallery2/d/77-2/StreetFox20080723002.jpg (http://www.projects.archersdad.com/gallery2/d/75-1/StreetFox20080723002.jpg)

I swapped some of the components around on my right brake to allow the cable to come out the front instead of the back. It really cleaned up the cable mess on that side. The offset of the arms arms keeps everything inline just like the stock setup so I shouldn't have to worry about the cable wearing out prematurely.
http://www.projects.archersdad.com/gallery2/d/80-2/StreetFox20080723003.jpg (http://www.projects.archersdad.com/gallery2/d/78-1/StreetFox20080723003.jpg)

[jimFPU]

As my kids would say: Saaweeet!

[AtomicZombie]

Very nice work. The color scheme is great.

Cheers!
Brad

[jimFPU]

Hey Brad do you feel like a surrogate father every time you see a new one of these? LOL!

[robertwb70]

That does look nice, I'll have to add one of those to the list of things to build.

[TheKid]

Excellent Job.

[n9viw]

Hey Dude, awesome job, that thing is FANTASTIC! Something you might consider to clean up the cable on the left wheel: Use a "noodle" from a v-brake: http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/BR406Z02-Shimano+V-Brake+Noodle.aspx?sc=FRGL
http://www.jensonusa.com/store/imgWrapper.aspx?img=/br/BR406Z02_____135.jpg&type=3

or one of these: http://www.bikecanada.com/detail.php?item=27-4602-1 (I'd post the pic but it's HUGE!).

Either one will allow you to redirect the cable without having to use a wide loop of cable housing; the noodle is a little more versatile because they're slightly flexible and can be re-bent (a LITTLE) to a different angle. I actually did this on my Honda motorcycle when I was running apehangers, with a 115* angle, I could run the cables from the levers straight down the bars.

Just a thought, might help fancy it up some.

[theDude]

Thanks everybody. That's a good idea Nick. That rollamajig is sexy. I have a small tubing bender so I'm going to try to tweak one of my old 90 degree noodles and see if it will bend far enough to work. If not, now I have an excuse to order some more parts :). I'm proud of myself for getting this thing done in 5 weeks. For me, projects like this usually end up being put on hold, restarted, put on hold again, moved over the corner with a couple boxes stacked on top, found, and then finally finished a year or two later.

[theDude]

My brake mod is done. Thanks again for the idea, Nick.

In about five minutes I was able to go from this:
http://www.projects.archersdad.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=83 (http://www.projects.archersdad.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=81)

to this:
http://www.projects.archersdad.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=86 (http://www.projects.archersdad.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=84)

The 90 degree noodle bent very easily. I used the smallest notch on an automotive brake line bender and it didn't crimp at all. It doesn't add any noticable friction to the brake line.

[ditz]

purdy Trike

[SirJoey]

The paint is Rustoleum metallic blue...

That's what I used on my DW. Beautiful color. Really sparkles in the sun, too.
Looks a lot better than it does in pics. I also used it for the accent color on Chopzilla & Trixter.

Awesome job on the trike, man! Congrats!

Hey Nick, good tip on the noodle!

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