[CR]First stab at frame building

(Example: Framebuilding:Paint)

From: "The Maaslands" <TheMaaslands@comcast.net>
To: "CR" <Classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
Date: Sat, 29 Jul 2006 14:16:57 -0400
Subject: [CR]First stab at frame building

To echo Brian's comments, I can attest that it is not that complicated to build frames and all you need is a reasonable mechanical aptitude, access to some reasonably common tools (oxy-acetylene torch, vise, files, hack-saw), time and desire.

You might have seen my first frame at le cirque. If not, here are some photos of the completed bike:

http://www.wooljersey.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=43643

This bike was built totally freehand (no full size drawings, jigs, pins or other). I will also readily admit to having screwed up certain details, but it is what it is and with over 30,000 miles on it, I guess you can say that it has stood the test of time and mileage. I became interested in building myself a frame because I was a student and couldn't afford the fancy frame that I wanted and had watched a few frames be built. It didn't seem too complex to me and off I was.

Among the errors that I made were: 1) I placed the seat-tube in upside down meaning the butting (subsequently reamed out) was at the top where the seatpost was to be inserted instead of at the BB. 2) I was over-anxious to set the chainstays after brazing and didn't let it cool down sufficiently, which led to a wave in the left chainstay. To compensate for this, I brazed a fork tang on (not that I know if this was either important or functional) 3) I apparently was slightly off with my measurements and/or mitering (done with a hack-saw and half-round bastard) as I ended up with a very laid-back head angle. To partially counter-balance this error, I decided to make the rake lesser. I couldn't tell you if there is any logic in doing so, but the result was an acceptable bike: super stable in descents, but with steering that dips in corners.

My second and third frames were much more successful and polished but didn't hold the same appeal to me and I have long since lost track of them.

Steven Maasland
Moorestown, NJ