Diamond Frame Flying Merkel DONE!

[Wildcat]

To remove the cranks, Loosen the cotterpin first, loosen that little nut but don't remove it from the bolt, leave it threaded on but leave space to the crank arm. With a wooden mallet, hit the nut to drive the cotterpin back through the housing. Use a piece of wood and a regular hammer if you don't have a mallet. Once it's free loosen the nut or take it off completely and hammer the pin the rest of the way out. Then just turn the crank on the spindle and it slides off. You will have to replace these cotterpins, I would get them before taking the old ones out, they may be hard to find.

[deorman]

That's my usual method, but there is a tool made specifically made to press them out. Sometimes the cotter pins are reusable, but don't bet on it. When reinstalling, press or mallet whack them tight first, instead of trying to pull them tight with the nuts. The threads are not hard to strip. If I had any cotter crank bikes, I'd probably change it out for a modern square ended axle/spindle /whatchamacallit. set.

[Strings_and_steam]

Thanks for the help guys! I did some more poking around, and I think I understand the 'nature of the beast' better now, I wasn't totally clear on what the 'cotters' actually looked like and how they functoned. I'll attack the cranks next time I'm home (probably next weekend). Good suggestion to search for new cotters first, I've foudn a few places that sell them for not terrible prices if I should need new ones.

I recieved my saddle candidate and truss rods from member Ohdeebee this afternoon. I didnt take any pics of the trusses, they're the Schwinn type. But the saddke is something else! Its going to be a lot of work, perhaps more than I realized. But all the threads and bolts did move, and I was able to reduce it to pieces. It will need media blasting to tame the rust, as well as a re-paint and re-upholster. Plus, the front 'hair-pin' is squashed; its still got a lot of spring in it, but I'd like to try to round it out some more. I'm hoping I can make it work!

[Wildcat]

I think that front spring was made oval.

I forgot to ask where you found the 26" white tires? I've got a few bikes like yours, only 3 speed raleighs, the white will look great on them. I found 27" white tires at Niagara cycles for 15 bucks, but can't find the 26".

[Strings_and_steam]

I think that front spring was made oval.

I forgot to ask where you found the 26" white tires? I've got a few bikes like yours, only 3 speed raleighs, the white will look great on them. I found 27" white tires at Niagara cycles for 15 bucks, but can't find the 26".

You may well be right on the spring. Ive never seen an oval one tho so I assumed it was squashed.

As for the tires, I got them from here:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... K:MEWAX:IT
The seller was great to deal with, and they shipped very quickly. They're 'used' like they say, but mine only look a bit dirty, the little nubs and flashing are still intact. Maybe a tad expensive, but they were the cheapest I could find and just the ticket for this build.

[Strings_and_steam]

So after some dead time on this build, and after surviving the Snowpocalypse mid week, I got to spend some time in the shop back home tonight.

First, I removed the chain from the bicycle. Earlier I scratched my head at the lack of a master link, but using an old awl and a nail I punched out a pin and freed the chain. I am the master link!




Next, I tackled the rear fender bracket. This had been broken off at some point (before I owned the bicycle) and had been held on with a piece of bent wire. Ratty! But noisy when riding. Since the bracket was nickle plated steel, I fashioned a brass tab for it and soldiered it into place. Here's the photo journey...










Finally, giddied from the overall sucess of the evening, I decided to see what my terrific truss rods would look like




Awesome, but too long. Criminently! So this will become a project too. I'm thinking either:

Difficult route: Bend the tubes near the end so that when meeting up with the drop outs on the fork, the trusses will be shorter.

Difficult-er: Mash the ends of the trusses up even more, drill new holes, cut away the excess.

Stupid: Cut the trusses in the middle, remove some sections, run a smaller OD tube inside and close it back up (mind you I don't have a welder).

Easy: un-do the trusses from the top clip, trim them, touch up the bends, re-install.

What will I do? Time will tell Please feel free to weigh in, sage advice is appreciated!

Tomorrow I hope ot log a bit of time in the media blaster at my place of employment to clean up the seat and truss rods, do some preliminary priming, rip the wheels to pieces, and probably break something. Stay tuned!

[Strings_and_steam]

Didn't get as much done as I had though I might yesterday, but did accomplish a few things. I solved the truss dilema- with the headset hardware on it was just a smidge long, so I was able to elongate the two holes that the axel passes through and get it to sit right. I wish more problems were this simply sorted

I also media blasted the trusses clean, as well as the crusty old saddle- take a peek!





Cleaned up real nice, and I'm clear coating it to keep it from rusting again. There's some pitting on the parts (obviously the pan is cratered like a freshman's face) but it's pretty good. Although after some deliberation, I don't think I'll be using this saddle. The hardware for mounting won't fit my 7/8 custom seat post (which I will not be without), and the over all asthetic isnt really what I'm going for. I'm hoping to track down a brown leather seat (new) with some good chrome exposed springs, or any kind of longspring saddle, which I would media blast and re-cover. What do you think?

I'm still looking for a few parts that might really put the finishing touches on this:

Seat (something like this I'm hoping! I realize the 'real Merkel' didnt have springs like this)


Handlebars (I can't find this shape anywhere! Help?)


Antique-y 9/16 pedals, cool old grips and maybe some neat odds and ends to add to the boardtrack feel

Stay tuned for out next installment, 'Too many bearings: more balls than a school district worth of recreation closets'

[Gdcast]

Great progress!
I have a Hedbadge-less Phillips bike, what are your plans for yours???

[Strings_and_steam]

Gdcast- I'm not entirely sure yet, I'll probably be removing it (I'll want to do so carefully so it can be used again!) and when I do, I will let you know and can send it your way

[texasbigjon]

very cool diamond frame build you have going! really like the way the wooden tank came out. wished i was better at woodworking! you really should have that fork straightened though. when its painted and finished,the bent fork will stick out like a sore thumb!

[Gdcast]

Thanks Strings! I would love that
I just noticed in a pic from above that you have a super cool steam punk keyboard, would you please post some pics of it? I would really love to build one of those.

[ifitsfreeitsforme]

ya, that keyboard is the coolest ever.

[Strings_and_steam]

Not a problem Gd, I know things like that can be tough to find and can also definitly 'make' a bike

Haha good eye on the keyboard! Bicycles are my latest hobby, I've been doing steampunk pieces for a few years now and violin construction, repair and restoration since 2004. Here's the link to my gallery/blog where you can see some of my other pieces (I go by the moniker 'Victor Ian', say it a few times or look at the spelling to get it )

http://gentlemantinker.blogspot.com/

Here's a shot of the keyboard (more in the blog as well as some instructions )


And a few slightly older pics of some of my instrument collection, taken in 2009



Haha and I realize I have now 'hijacked' my thread I'll post some about these in an off topic forum too

[Gdcast]

Wow Victor, you are a true artist!
I will probably bother you with some more tips on that Keyboard,
I been wanting to build one for a long while.
Thanks for the quick response!

[Strings_and_steam]

I recieved word today that member Axsepul (who is making the signature decals for the tank) has recieved the plates and is getting the text mocked up. Based on the preliminary pics he sent me I think it's going to look AMAZING!