Creative truss rod ideas?

[dodododa]

old schwinn bracket, 5/16 brake line, 5/16 wooden dowels that have been stained and shaved down, and 3/8 battery terminals. I had to copy the previous idea. looks so nice.

[KickBackCycles]

I just got aluminum tubes and bent them with pipe benders to match a set of Schwinn truss rods I had. I also used an old Schwinn bracket to bolt it to the headtube.
After I bent them and cut them to shape, I smashed the ends and drilled a hole for the axle. Then I polished them to look like chrome. I should probably clear them but I'm too lazy.

[acharles331]

iv heard of car break lines being used never seen them done but i heard....

here you go...



made these from brake lines sourced from Auto-Zone, cost all of $8
I was able to tap threads in the upper section so that it bolts right in, the lower part that attaches to the fork was flattened carefully then drilled. After the fab work was done I polished them as best I could and then clearcoated so they wouldnt rust.

Are those brake lines steel or aluminum? I'm going with the rust look on the bicycle I'm working on and would rather have a rusty truss rod then a shinny aluminum one. What style truss rod bracket did you use to connect it to the downstem? Is that something I can find on eBay? Great looking bicycle btw.

[Ratfink1962]

its steel line, but it appeared to be coated with something... wasnt hard to sand it off and polish it up.

I just used an original upper bracket with the two ears. Im not sure I have a pic of just the bracket, but Ive also made some out of reflector brackets too.

Im sure eBay would have some... if not, Im sure someone here has a spare for sale.

[LukeTheJoker]

I used rebar to create mine.

Anything done with rebar and I am a fan...

Just screams heavy duty rat rod...

Luke.

[mastronaut]

I think you have a new fangled kickstand there...