Should i swap frames?

[tombenn444]

People have been telling me for a while I new to swap frames for my a100 2 stroke engine. I realize I'll have to raise the backbone on the new one but I'm fine with that I've done it before. I wouldn't mind a beefier frame and I'm getting tired of the slim profile swingarm on mine but I'm still not sure. What do y'all think?

 

[Chainlube]

Is your new frame aluminum? The old racer frame does look a little thin, great forks though.

Save yourself some labor by just finding a men's mountain bike frame.

 

[tombenn444]

Thanks the forks actually come from the frame im thinking about swapping, so they'll be coming with it. I've been riding the racer frame for a while now ( we actually got t-boned by a mustang couple months back broke my tailbone and my left hand, bent her swingarm a little as well) and I'm starting to get concerns about the strength of the welds at this point. The new frame is aluminum, super light, and idk whether I should take that into consideration. I'm a Honda motorcycle technician and I start back work In a couple weeks so I doubt I'll come across anything better by then. Also funds are low so I'm limited to making due with what I have. I figured these bikes would be easy peazy given my training and background but I'm figuring out that its a whole new breed of machine with its own set of specific skillsets and knowledge hence by asking of the community.

 

[Chainlube]

Thanks the forks actually come from the frame im thinking about swapping, so they'll be coming with it. I've been riding the racer frame for a while now ( we actually got t-boned by a mustang couple months back broke my tailbone and my left hand, bent her swingarm a little as well) and I'm starting to get concerns about the strength of the welds at this point. The new frame is aluminum, super light, and idk whether I should take that into consideration. I'm a Honda motorcycle technician and I start back work In a couple weeks so I doubt I'll come across anything better by then. Also funds are low so I'm limited to making due with what I have. I figured these bikes would be easy peazy given my training and background but I'm figuring out that its a whole new breed of machine with its own set of specific skillsets and knowledge hence by asking of the community.

Yea, you were right coming here, lots of knowledgeable folk. Check your local Goodwill or buy and sell and find a cheap or free frame. I have a community page here that I've got a few free bikes from.

Hang around and you'll be a serial builder too.

 

[Don_Parsons]

All i can say is that old school steel frame bikes have worked very well for us

At least 12" of spread between the posts at the seat post location is plenty depending on how much tilt you want the engine too sit...

I don't have the measurements of the inner triangle on my fat tire bike,,, but it was plenty enough...

If I recall its a 11" in-side measurement in the triangle,,, its an aluminum frame bike for slow speed operations...

If I was planning on rugged off off roading I'd add re-enforcement posts with clamps too beef it up...

The same concept as the first mountain bikes that were used on the Re-pack down hill mountain bike run...
They either welded or tig-welded the re-enforcement posts in place too strengthen up the main posts...

Just throwing out some ideas is all,,, like I mentioned,,, its hard too beat most quality steel frame bikes,,, for us that is...

Jt

 

[tombenn444]

Awesome possum Ima do some searching and see what I can pick up in mean time I'll keep my old frame and see if I can find a good welder if I need some touching up. In the mean time id like to leave you with a random bit of knowledge that I've figured out for those in my similar situation:
For those with a slipping clutch or worn or missing clutch pads, you can make your own replacement pads by using friction discs from automobile or motorcycle clutches. Once you've removed the discs from the basket, cut them to size of your old pads with a pair of wire snips, then super glue them together in sets of three. May have to sand or file to ensure a nice tight fit but I have gotten better performance, grip, and longevity from this method as I have with factory pads!

 

[tombenn444]

Yea, you were right coming here, lots of knowledgeable folk. Check your local Goodwill or buy and sell and find a cheap or free frame. I have a community page here that I've got a few free bikes from.

Hang around and you'll be a serial builder too.

Any tips on how to get a wider tire to fit on my frame? Its meant to hold 1.125 and all I have are 1.75. If I have to spread the swingarm i m prepared for that but any words of wisdom would be appreciated

 

[Chainlube]

When I stretch a steel frame, I put my wheel on the frame, tough some times with narrow frames, and stretch it with my port-a-power. Use two thin blocks of wood between the frame and the rams, that way you won't kink the chain stays. Stretch one side a bit and then switch sides and do the other. Just go easy and work side to side until your tire fits. For some odd reason the port-a-power doesn't bend both sides equally.

 

[Wrench]

A piece of all thread then turn the nuts to expand the frame is another way

 

[Chainlube]

A piece of all thread is also good to set your wheel distance. Put the nuts at the max wheel width and slip into the drop outs.