The Training Wheels are comin' off!

So, to recap really briefly:
   I got this cheap bike as a starting point to make a custom board track-styled motorcycle

   The first goal was to make the engine run reliably, and possibly add a little power.

   The second goal was to purchase some gas welding equipment, and actually learn to USE it!

   And here is 9 months worth of welding practice

I think my favorite practice piece is the v-shaped piece in the front. I used to have a Cervelo P2k triathlon bike with some aero bars on it, and I always liked those bars. When I got my "practice kit" of steel pieces, there was some aero tubing in it so I thought instead of just making anything out of it, I'd try to reproduce the general shape of the bars. After cutting, fitting, and welding, I put an abrasive/polishing disk in my drill press at a high speed and shined up the "bars". Here's a close-up

So, I am by no means a journeyman welder, but my skills have progressed to the point of me "taking off the training wheels" so to speak. I believe I am ready to start on the real stuff. It's MY butt that is going to be on this thing (with no suspension remember...), so believe me when I say that I am confident my welds will be strong enough!
I've ordered all the aluminum and steel that I'll need for the front triangle of the frame. That should arrive this week! I'm really excited to get started on it. I also found someone locally who has a CNC plasma cutter. He's the uncle of someone I work with, and because of that hook-up, he's only charging me $8 per part! For those who don't know, that's a screamin' deal.


Stay tuned... the next entry should have some engine mount plates made (kind of like the old Harley "Keystone" board track frame design) and possibly the "seat tube" section of the frame.


I can't wait until this thing is a roller!

Merry Early Christmas!

As posted in my last entry, I made a quick mention of a drill press... Well, being that I am primarily welding tubing together to make this motorcycle frame, I needed a way to miter (fish-mouth) the tubing ends so I could fit them properly. So, one of the ways is to use a drill press and a hole-saw. I needed to find a drill press that would slow down enough to cut steel. I found a few that would fit the bill, but they were not available locally...

So, instead of being able to plunk down some cash for a new tool, I also had to consider shipping (on a tool that weighs almost 200lbs.) and find a location for the 18-wheeler to deliver to... And I haven't even mentioned getting if OFF the truck. Drivers aren't allowed to remove it (unless you pay another fee) So, if I wanted one of these "out of state" tools, I'd have to basically double the price to get it to my... work. An 18 wheeler wouldn't make it to my house.

I guess that's one of the things that I miss about living in the Chicago 'burbs... I could pretty much drive 20 miles in any direction and get anything in the world. Asheville, NC is a little different. Anyway... I digress.

So, I decided the Porter-Cable Drill Press from Lowes would fit the bill the best. Plus, I had a 20% off coupon for Harbor Freight that Lowes HONORED!!! You know how "they" say that it never hurts to ask? -Well, it doesn't!

Gracing the table of the drill press is a compound-slide vise. I don't plan on doing any milling on my drill press, but it sure cuts down on positioning and re-positioning of the vise! So far, I really like the setup.

So, this year, Santa (Deb) came a little early... Come to think of it, he (she) came early last year too. Last year was the lathe.

Slowly, but surely, the "shop" is coming along.