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!