Diamond Frame Flying Merkel DONE!

[dash]

your steam punk stuff rocks i really like the fan! and the keyboard is rad .do you sell that stuff? you should. i build merkel like bikes check out the link below when you get a chance just click on radrockets. thanks for sharing your talents!

[Kreep]

I wasn't sure if it was just the photos at first but it seems that your fork is bent backwards a bit? It could be a illusion but wanted to bring it to attention .The build is fun to follow.
-Kreep-

[essenciaaa]

Very beautiful project

I'll keep following it!

[Strings_and_steam]

Thanks for the kind words guys, I'm glad folks are liking this one! I'm enjoying getting it put together and watching it take shape from the picture in my head. I've also becoem somewhat of a 'pro' at packing bearings, jeepers there were lots of them! Keep in mind the only other bicycle bearings Ive ever dealt with were on my RRBO5 Wormwood Limited, and they were all caged like animals.

I've gotten a few comments about the fork being bent, and indeed it is. I've put lots of miles on these forks (they were bent when I got the frame) and never had a problem. But taking the general advice, I was able to get a differnet straight set that will actually work better than the stock Phillips forks. The headtube on these is a good inch longer, allowing my trusses to fit in no problem. I'll need to make a few shims for them, but I'm hoping that wont be too bad. I also threw on the wheels just to see get an idea of the current stance.





Anyone recognize these forks? They were the originals for the auction rat (not the nifty bent ones that wound up on it)! It's pretty cool to me to have a piece of that here on this build. This will wind up painted (all pretty-like) but it will be the most 'rat' thing I have put together from a parts standpoint, with components from all over the place. Like McDonalds says, I'm lovin it!

I hope I'm not being too picture happy for everyone's taste, but I get excited when I get some parts or make a little progress, and really enjoy sharing it here. I personally greatly enjoy seeing the progress of a build in picture form and watching a project develop. And maybe my methods/madness might help inspire someone's future build?

[SCHWINNRAY69]

Looks way better Those struts look nice

[Dr. Tankenstein]

I thought those forks looked familiar!
Build on brother!

Cheers!
Dr. T

[outskirtscustoms]

The more pics the better

[Strings_and_steam]

I recieved a wicked seat today, a long spring model It had a women's pan on it that was in pretty bad shape, but I discovered that with a little more tweaking, the springs and all will mate with men's pan from the previous seat. Hmmmmmm

So here's Frawn-ken-seat (bear with me Mel Brooks fans)







I'll need to do some tweaking, media blasting and clear coating on the springs (as the Merkel won't be too ratty), but I'm pretty happy with this. The seat pan will of course be covered and padded also.

Waddaya think?

[BrunneCustoms]

Springy!

[Strings_and_steam]

Ive been noodling around with the seat some more, and I think Ive got it figured out. I flipped some brackets, and I'll need to run two new bolts to secure the 'runners' from the front coil, but it fits nicely now, and will fit even better after I replace the bolt that connects the front coil to the frame. I'm pretty excited about this seat set up!




I also got my front wheel taped and ready for painting the rims. I had planned to paint the spokes and all, but looking at more pictures of the origonal Merkels, it was only the rims that were orange.




You can see my 'innovative' paint stand/handle too Has anyone else thought of this? It's the best thing I can think of to hold the wheel easily when painting, allow for rotation, and be easy to prop on something to dry. I'm sure Im not the first to think of it, but if so, how much does it cost to file a patent?


Also a little teaser, here's the fork and trusses painted up, just need to be clear coated. Pardon the bad lighting, the orange is actualyl a bit more brilliant



And a shot of part of my 'high-tech' drying room (/laundry room/storage room/dingy apartment basement)

[SCHWINNRAY69]

That orange looks GREAT

[stocksucks]

Looks great!
Keep rollin'

[Strings_and_steam]

Behold the paint stand in action!

That's one light coat of orange over double light coats of primer for all you folks at home keeping score

[stocksucks]

Lookin' sharp

[Strings_and_steam]

The first major setback...grr...

I tried to clear coat the wheel Ive been painting earlier today, and the bloody clear caused the orange to bubble and 'ripple' some. Its looks like total crud and and I think I'm going to have to sand out the ripples and re-paint. Needless to say I'm not pleased

Ive decided that the Rustoleum 'painter's touch' paint Ive been using for the orange and primer maybe wasnt compatable with the Rustoleum 'Gloss Enamel' clear I have. Similarly, I'm not risking any of my other finished parts. The painter's touch paint dries very hard and nice, and I dont believe a clear coar it necessary. I had thought to do it only to add more 'gloss' to the colour. But I'm not messing around with it anymore on this.

So be warned anyone who may be using Rustoleum painter's touch with other things. I think the formula for this one is quite different, and may react poolry (as I found) with other paints.

Here's a poor quality pic of one damaged area