Diamond Frame Flying Merkel DONE!

[Skipton]

Is it orange yet?

Looks good

[SCHWINNRAY69]

This is coming out great When you first posted this I thought it couldn't be done with this frame YOU PROVED ME WRONG Outstanding work and craftsmanship for sure Lets keep it coming

[Strings_and_steam]

Well Sir Skipton, orange it be indeed!!

The painting of the frame has been a long time coming, but here it is!

The frame after paint yesterday




A 'boarding trident' for dirty play in the race? Naw, these are the pegs to hold the two halves of the tank together on the frame, they needed to be orange too. I devised this painting stand from an old flag post, some cardboard and ductape. A Red Green special!


Also got one side of the tank assembled (glued the plate to the board). Here is sits in my sophisticated 'shotgun press'.




And today getting it unwrapped with the cups installed




I re-packed the bearings for the headset and got it in place. Notice theres extra space? I cut some orange painted conduit to form some risers to fill the opening. I might go back later and hack off the top of the fork so one spacer isn't necessary (it needed one above and below the ring for the truss rods) but I didn't want to risk destroying the threads (bad past expierences...)



Here she sits now, I had to drop the rear wheel in for effect and wire on the fender.



Whatcha think? Once my handlebars show up (come on, fedex!) I can get the controls mounted, chain and derailuer set up, and finally fasten the tank in place. The tank must be last as it covers and hides my control cabels, so they need to be all sorted first. I'll also be doign some scavenging for materials to finish up my seat.

[SCHWINNRAY69]

I think it is AWESOME The paint looks very similar to the original Can't wait to see the tank installed

[Dogbreath]

Hey strings, we should have gone halvsies on the paint...we could have saved a fortune...loving your work dude, hope you're having fun...you know it'll look good!!!

[deorman]

I recommend replacing this POJ with something more fitting and worthy of your efforts.

[FOUND OBJECTS]

Still loving it!

[Strings_and_steam]

I recommend replacing this POJ with something more fitting and worthy of your efforts.

Got one? I've pretty much blown my budget on this build, I'm not super thrilled with it and Id get something better if funds allowed. At least it will work. The 'nicer' stem that came on the bicycle origonally doesn't fit the stear tube on the new forks (it's too wide for the stem)

[deorman]

Vintage steel 7 style. Shipping is $10 or less. pm

[Strings_and_steam]

Deorman, PM sent!!!

Picked up a new chain and got the transmission sorted out. The cable will be mostly hidden by the tanks, streamlining the profile. I bolted on a kickstand just for 'kicks', I think it's going to need one as I dont want it leaning against other bikes and such on the racks. We'll see if it stays.




I cleaned up the derailuer before I re-installed it. The guide wheels were so caked with crud I thought they were black. Turns out they're actually red


My other steeds eye-up the new comer, and wonder what happened to that blue diamond frame chap with the funny accent...

[Skipton]

LOOKS GREAT! I like the rear fender!......... A good LBS can cut and re-thread the fork for you.

No shame!......kickstands are always good helps keep your cool bike cool!

Going to need a riding video

[okie]

Sweet, nice work!

[Strings_and_steam]

Thanks Skipton, there will certainly be some riding videos! I'll schlepp it down to a Chicago ride sometime so you can try it out yourself, the saddle will be sitting far back (but not as far as your brilliant Blue X!) We could have a boardtracker race!...tho you'd smoke my flabby out of shape Buddha body.

Okie, welcome to the forum! I'm honored to be your first post

I got a bit ambitious yesterday night and while battling insomnia installed the rear brake. I had to bend a few washers to act as risers for the rear fender brace, it was pulling at a weird angle under the pressure of the brake hardware being clamped down, but I think its sorted now. The brake cable will likely need some adjusting, but I'll wait to do that until things are more complete.

[Dr. Tankenstein]

WOW! it looks awesome so far! The matching orange brake shoes.....nice

Cheers,
Dr. T

[Strings_and_steam]

Thanks Dr.T, I thought orange shoes might look pretty cool They'll probably eat the paint off the wheels eventually (but evenly at least), and this way they won't scuff black!