I was drawn to the site for the motored bike topic in general and while here found several motored "chopper" bikes with quite a bit of fab work. Which got my gears turning to modify my own chopper bicycle in prep for motoring. I have found an "old family friend" who is a highly accomplished welder, he just hasn't ever worked on bike frames before. I thought there was a fab forum but looks like everything but. So please help me to help him so my frame will come out right. If there is a sticky that already addresses this please point the way.
The bike I am working on is the Jesse James WCC bike. Decent design but I am an adult, not a child. I want to leave the front end alone, stretch behind the bottom bracket/in front of the seat, and raise my bars that I have added. Basically cut the tube and weld in an extension tube. In the projects I have viewed I have seen this done somewhat. Is this strong enough if the weld has good penetration? During our first conversation the welder (Danny) said that he wanted the extension tubing to be able to sleeve and over lap the other tubing. While I'm sure this would be stronger I already have matched diameter tubing from other bike frames. I assume he is just trying to be safe but if I can go to him saying that others have welded tubing end to end and feel safe with it, I would like to do that. If these joints would require additional bracing, ideas would be appreciated. I can live with the asthetics of collaring the joints if the strength is needed but I could see the bike getting even heavier very quickly. He said he has access to a shop so I assume he would be MIGging this and not trying to stick weld it.
I am photoshopping pictures of the stretch right now. Just finished the full height handle bars and it will be quite a change. Real 80's style V shaped ape-hangers. If I can get the 9 inch stretch on the frame it will be a real sky-high front end transition to a stretch low-ride frame. Hopefully this tubing is straightforward like I was hoping, or I will be starting over on materials.
The bike I am working on is the Jesse James WCC bike. Decent design but I am an adult, not a child. I want to leave the front end alone, stretch behind the bottom bracket/in front of the seat, and raise my bars that I have added. Basically cut the tube and weld in an extension tube. In the projects I have viewed I have seen this done somewhat. Is this strong enough if the weld has good penetration? During our first conversation the welder (Danny) said that he wanted the extension tubing to be able to sleeve and over lap the other tubing. While I'm sure this would be stronger I already have matched diameter tubing from other bike frames. I assume he is just trying to be safe but if I can go to him saying that others have welded tubing end to end and feel safe with it, I would like to do that. If these joints would require additional bracing, ideas would be appreciated. I can live with the asthetics of collaring the joints if the strength is needed but I could see the bike getting even heavier very quickly. He said he has access to a shop so I assume he would be MIGging this and not trying to stick weld it.
I am photoshopping pictures of the stretch right now. Just finished the full height handle bars and it will be quite a change. Real 80's style V shaped ape-hangers. If I can get the 9 inch stretch on the frame it will be a real sky-high front end transition to a stretch low-ride frame. Hopefully this tubing is straightforward like I was hoping, or I will be starting over on materials.