jwxr7's bent build thread

[jwxr7]

I am overall pretty happy with the weight so far. If I can save a little here or there with parts I already have on hand that's great. The rear wheel swap will only save me 1/2 lb but the tire, freewheel, and bearings are 99% better than the old wheel.
The seat cover is slow going. I started pinning it in place but my 2yr old daughter wanted to "help" so I didn't get very far.

The important thing with weight is.... Don't try to save a few ounces on components if the bare frame is the bulk of the weight. as long as you're focused on a)easiest/cheapest to lighten and b)what's heaviest to begin with - you're doing well "b" typically is the engine

That's a very good point. My engine will probably drop a few pounds trying to get efficient at riding again .

[johnpr]

saving all the weight you can really does help, and with it being a wheel its less rotational mass. its great that your daughter wanted to help, thats the stuff that you look back on as fond memories

[jwxr7]

so true johnpr.


I have pinned most of the material in place. This is hard work for me . Ran out of pins so will hopefully find some more today to finish pinning things in place. Then I get to try stitching.

[jwxr7]

finally finished stitching up the seat. I'm not sure I trust the job I did so I left larger than normal flaps in case I have to redo something. I haven't mounted it yet so I don't know how it feels yet.

I think I forgot to mention that I finished the front brake bridge and mounted a center pull caliper up there. All the cables are done too. I decided to upgrade the crank and pedals with the set off a tall old schwinn voyaguer 11.8 (the set on the right in the pic). It will save me close to a pound and the pedal bearings are like new.

After I mount the seat, this bike is ready to ride . Still need to come up with a bottle holder, a mirror, and maybe some reflectors.

[jwxr7]

here's a fully assembled shot of it. Btw it ended up at 36.5 lbs as shown below. I rode it around the parking lot a little and like the seat alote . Have to put a few miles on it and see how it feels.

[johnpr]

everything looks great!! sounds like you came in at a good weight also

[jwxr7]

thanks,
I road a couple miles last evening. It's a real nice ride, the seat is great.

I may have to reinforce the seat bottom though. It seems I didn't pull it tight enough or something. After a mile or so of riding, my boney rear was almost touching the frame underneath . My co-worker with about 60 lbs more weight and a not so boney rear doesn't have that problem on this seat. If it stretches anymore I might start touching. I have some scrap strips of the material still that I could stitch in to pull it tighter and make it less stretchy.

[MetroMPG]

Congratulations on the build. It looks comfy.

[jwxr7]

Congratulations on the build. It looks comfy.

Thanks,

I found out today that it fits nicely in the metro too (remember I don't have a front passenger seat installed). It took very little effort to make it fit. I had to remove the bike's seat by loosening 2 hose clamps on the lower seat mount and adjusting the struts till they came apart. I also had to lower the steering tiller by loosening the front clamp. I had help loading it but it could be done solo. Still have room for lots of other stuff too (but no passengers). It'll fit upright in the car but would need somethings to hold it there so it won't move around while driving.

[tzietz]

Greetings from a new member of this blog. You guys are inspiring me to make a bike for commuting to work!

Question about welding... Are you TIG welding, MIG welding? On the original plans, I think the guy did brazing. To a newb, what's your advice? I have a relative up the street who has a gas arc set-up, and he'd probably teach me. Or, should I buy some brazing equipment?