The Rustacean

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I like option 2 best followed by 1. This is going to be a really fun build! With the frame options and the awesome fork, what's not to love! I really like the lower belly loop on the frame. It could make a cool board track style bike, with or without a motor.
 
Your forks forced me you look up what they came off of.
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I would have never paid any bit of attention to them if you had posted them while they were still on the moped
 
I say #2, but I'm slightly biased towards parallel swoopy barsView attachment 230205
That does look good!
Great start BRE! The ideas and parts are already flowing nicely.

I like #2 of the frame mock ups , but realize the extra work involved. #1 would be my second option.
Thank you OJ!
I like option 2 best followed by 1. This is going to be a really fun build! With the frame options and the awesome fork, what's not to love! I really like the lower belly loop on the frame. It could make a cool board track style bike, with or without a motor.
Board track style is certainly what I have in mind. A bit US cruiser / motorbike, but with the patina.

Your forks forced me you look up what they came off of.
View attachment 230242 I would have never paid any bit of attention to them if you had posted them while they were still on the moped
There is a whole scene where they build ratrods out of these, very cool!

Thanks for the advice and comments everyone.

I will plan for #2 and have #1 as a plan B.

I cut some bones today, no going back now.
I am trying to go fast into this project now and keep momentum since I like to take my time for the paint and details. Also these first weeks I will be less commenting on other builders projects.

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Measurements.

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Plans.

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Parts and measure twice!
1 1/8" CrMo threaded fork tube. I'll shorten the part that normally is pressed in a crown. And keep a 'thicker' part for the lower bearing cup to be pressed on to.

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First cut, can't go deeper, then I'll hit the fork.

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Tight cut! Like brain surgery or 'head' surgery :p :crazy2:

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This reminds me of:


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Cleaned the cut a bit, will do the rest by hand. I have to close that hole too!

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Shorty!

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Found a rusty Torpedo lamp, I like it!

Thanks for watching and commenting.

Tomorrow I'll cut the 1 1/8 tube in a lathe at my employer.
 
Looks loke a good day’s progress.
Almost:

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Maybe the rear is a little high with chainstay collision. We will see how it looks with wheels and a testchain.

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Tube notching with a file!

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Almost there! (Tube will end higher up)

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Photo above:
I found an old broken 1 1/8 fork with an setback seatpost that is 1 inch in diameter.
The frames inner seat tube diameter is 28,6mm or 1 1/8".
Combining the two gives me a seatpost!
 

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Holy smokes elBarto, this is moving fast already! That's a really nice frame, and you always bring the great parts. Psyched about this one
Thanks man, appreciate it. I want to keep the momentum to make it to the deadline. After welding is done, I got some time for detailing.
Cool chainguard!
Thank you!!

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Fork tube inner diameter milling/turning.

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I used this piece as a caliber. Since the tube has two steps: 26.5mm and 26mm. I could not reach the 26mm with my caliper, so I used this stainless steel piece with the right diameter to fit and gently mill it to the perfect diameter.

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Perfect fit! I could place it over the old shaft by hand and without rattles/play.

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First piece of the arm (made off 7075 AL junk) 6.3mm thick. Drilled holes by hand and made the dropout with a hacksaw and file.

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Needs some filing, but very good already.
When the functional shape is done, I am thinking about filing it in a 'torpedo' or bomb/wing shape a bit.

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Chainring? I have a black one too. Maybe for later (details).
 
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Thanks guys!

I'm keeping the momentum going, yet want a quality build; no flaws technically.

I tapped M8 threads in the arms for a testfit.
I like it so far, have some very cool ideas for finishing, I'll leave you guys in the dark on that for now.
Now I'm going to bed, our youngest daughter is feeling a bit ill today and will probably an early morning.
Tomorrow evening more progress I hope. But I enjoy the build so far, absolutely stoked!

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Fergus our cat came for some back scrubs too. I just wanted to stand up and build :giggle:

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Temporary allen screws. Will use oldschool type screws for final assembly!

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The arms will get fixed a bit more horizontal, with the fork a bit higher.

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Very cool!
 
Forget the bike, the name is AWESOME!

Just kidding! Bike is looking great, pulling out all the stops. That fork is like none other!
Thanks OJ! Lovin' your ratina work too, gonna try that too.

Ok. I don't know how to get one of those frames, but I definitely want one.
Project 346 Stella or Ash bikes. I don't know where you are from, but willing to help with a search here in the Netherlands. The 'Ruff cycles Lucky' is a similar geometry frame. Different looks though.

Some progress:
Lots of measuring and writing down ideas.
Today was another junk sale in our village and when I have measurements in my head I can scan for neat parts like a T800 Terminator.
Did not find anything for the bike but did find nice toy cars... could not help but take them with me...
We got some wooden toys for my daughters as well.

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Neat!

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This old saw profile has a nice shape and patina. Nice handlebars?

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Fork idea notes.

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Bottom bracket ideas. Love the ideas by using spokes! Don't know if it fits the build theme...

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More ideas.

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Moooore.

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Measurements. I know what parts to look for!

I am definitely heading towards the flat tracker / boardtracker theme! With fenders perhaps. But with an bottom bracket plate that has the oil pan looks...

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Found parts in the shed for the fork arm.


The build name:

The Rustacean


I was looking at the sheet metal fork while listening to one of my favorite albums:
Ahab - The boats of the glen carrig.

The album was lying there and when I saw the rusty fork with the crab or crustacean...... the name came to me. It doesn't fit the age of the bike, but it doesn't matter. Its all about the fun!

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Album art :inlove:

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Hi guys,

Working out some ideas for the bottom bracket bracket.

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Scale 1:1 printed on paper to get an idea. But decided that a 3D model is not bad either:

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Model.

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One idea was the boardtracker crankcase looks. I delibirately made an 45 degree angle "like you could place cylinders there".

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One side has an opening. Needs tidying up.
The 'half holes' are there to make sure water does not stay there! Riding wind can dry the rest up.



After thinking about this for a while and looking at the frame. I will make another model with a straight cut (no 45 degree cylinder seating) and without the bend.
An enclosed case could make the bike, 'together with the chaincover' a bit heavy looking on the belly.

I must not forget to check if the drive side needs a tab for the chaincover!

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Probably tomorrow new model!
 
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Working at home today. Took a half hour break while loading some work stuff.

I decided to glue + cotterpin the headtube shaft.
I used a M8 steel screw with the 12.9 strength. Delibirately used one with a shaft, not full thread.

When the (two component epoxy) glue is dry I can assemble the fork and start measuring for the topbrackets and stem.

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Drilling: round 8mm and the other half is M8 thread:

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The screw to use.

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Cut and adapted to 28mm (fork shaft diameter).

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Preparing for glueing.

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Testfit.

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Glued and drying for 24 hours!

I degreased properly and used a little bit of fine sand mixed with the epoxy glue. Pressed it on the fork.

Happy with the result!

1 1/8" threaded fork!
 

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And found inspiration for a BB plate:

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Very cool, but not what I envisioned.
Reminds me of the "Soundgarden" chainring I saw on the forum or internet: (not mine)
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:heart:

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Final design. I really like how simple and cool looking it is. A little bit art deco? And it will stiffen that bottom bracket barrel significantly.

The design with the 90 degree bend was 1.5mm's thick. This one is 2mm's thick.
 
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