I’m now putting the finishing touches on the bike. I’ve done the brake bridge, shifter boss, bb cable guide and the rear dérailleur cable stop. It is going to be a 10-speed single down tube shifiting bike. Should be cool. We’ll wait for the final product. All for now.
Cheers!
Seat stay caps brazed and zipped in place. Boy it’s almost a real bike! $65 more in silver and I should be able to finish. I sure hope i’m better next time…This shit is expensive.
Tomorrow is another trip to the welding store to get supplies and I’ll finish and ride this thing this weekend. Not as is intended but as I have the parts for.
Cheers for now, I’ll have more posts this week.
Today has been jig day. I’ve noticed that none of the factory bikes that I have are perfectly straight at the rear drop out. I’m doing my best to get the first bike as straight as possible. I’m running fairly long stays on this bike to accommodate mud and fenders so the jig is adjustable for this bike and maybe the next.
Slotted the 1″ square tubing for adjustable lengths. Not the best slot but it’ll work, good drill bit and patience with the file. Currently using ghetto threaded rod 3/8″ and some nuts and washers. This will need to be done better for the next frame if I don’t attempt the 8020 jig for the next project.
I may or may not post any more pics of today…Click the link in the picture to go to Flickr to see more and read some my mindless dribble about the process.
Front Triangle Brazing-5, originally uploaded by Xvelo Designs.
The rig is coming along nicely. I haven’t posted for awhile as I’m lazy and I’ve been filing and sanding too much to take pictures.
Close(er) up of the head tube/ down tube junction with fork in place. I’ve found that this is the most tedious and enjoyable part of the build. It’s a freaking mess of black and gunk when the fire is turned off, the ensuing filing and sanding is very Zenning.
Picture of the bottom bracket pre-cleaning:
I wish I could say I wasn’t shocked about how freaking straight this frame is coming out. I’m very pleased. Should be rolling sometime in February or maybe January with some components laying around the house.
I’ll be working on the jig for the chain stays tomorrow, so maybe a picture of that if it comes out the way that it’s in my head.
Cheers.
Rechecking length with skinny tire and brake in place. I should be able to run 32mm tires with a fender on this particular fork. At least that’s my plan.
The bike is actually a lot further along now than you’ve seen. I’ll be in the garage with a file and some sandpaper tonight. I’m make some photos and talk more about the building of the front triangle tomorrow.
All for now, Cheers…
Building a classic Geometry of 73/74 with 57cm c-c for the top and seat tube. It’s going to be set up as a ?speed Randonneur bike. We’ll see if I regret the 57cm top tube with the VO Porteur bars. I should have thought about a 59 or 60 top tube with a shorter stem but I’ll use a 110 or 120mm and it’ll be fantastic.
Working on the template for the fork leg to the inaugural bike. I’m debating the 25mm off-set versus the 50-60mm off-set of the old Randonee bikes. I’m shooting for a little faster handling than an old bike but not as fast as my road bike. It’s going on a 74 degree head tube. I think I’ll shoot for the 40-50mm and hang the fork in the garage if I dislike the handling. If any real builders read this, you’re opinion is so very encouraged.
The bending will be tomorrow along with the brazing of the head tube to the steer tube. God speed and cheers, you’ll here more later.
