A Plexi glass bike?
#1
JOCP Senior Advisor
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Fort Worth/Keller Texas
Posts: 1,061
Bikes: 1979 Shcwinn Varsity, 2005 Speciazlied Transition Multi-Sport, 2005 Specailized Sirrus
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
A Plexi glass bike?
Well lately I've been toying with the idea of making a bike just for the fun of it, nothing serious mind you/
My cousin has come into possecion of a rather large block of acrlyic(sp) and can get some plexi glass (he works with it a lot)
Anyone ever try it? Like I said it isn't anything serious, just something to try...
My cousin has come into possecion of a rather large block of acrlyic(sp) and can get some plexi glass (he works with it a lot)
Anyone ever try it? Like I said it isn't anything serious, just something to try...
#3
2-Cyl, 1/2 HP @ 90 RPM
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: NYC
Posts: 15,762
Bikes: 04' Specialized Hardrock Sport, 03' Giant OCR2 (SOLD!), 04' Litespeed Firenze, 04' Giant OCR Touring, 07' Specialized Langster Comp
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
4 Posts
Mill a solid triangle as the frame and reinforce it with metal, it should be good, if not heavy.
You have life insurance, right?
You have life insurance, right?
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Between the mountains and the lake.
Posts: 16,681
Bikes: 8 bikes - one for each day of the week!
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
Plexiglass, like regular glass, lacks the qualities necessary to make a functional bike frame. You could seriously do better with laminated cardboard.
#6
JOCP Senior Advisor
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Fort Worth/Keller Texas
Posts: 1,061
Bikes: 1979 Shcwinn Varsity, 2005 Speciazlied Transition Multi-Sport, 2005 Specailized Sirrus
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Expatriate
Why not just use cardboard?
Because you can see cardboard! Yes I know the idea is crazy, but its just a little project to kill time...odds are I'll never get around to it just wanted to ask if it'd ever been done
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 18,138
Bikes: 2 many
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1266 Post(s)
Liked 323 Times
in
169 Posts
The frame of the future will just be a magnetic field holding the components in place, there will be no frame tubes.
And wireless computers still won't work.
And wireless computers still won't work.
#8
Just riding
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Exeter, UK
Posts: 651
Bikes: Cannondale Bad Boy / Mercian track / BOB trailer / Moulton recumbent project
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I'd start with two thick sheets, milled to a rough frame-shape. Then I'd clamp those sheets around the essential frame bearings - headset, bb, seatpost. The effect would be like that Moulton recumbent that's somewhere online.
#9
Recumbent Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Kitchener, Ontario
Posts: 2,991
Bikes: Rebel Cycles Trike, Trek 7500FX
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by 2manybikes
The frame of the future will just be a magnetic field holding the components in place, there will be no frame tubes.
And wireless computers still won't work.
And wireless computers still won't work.
#10
Recumbent Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Kitchener, Ontario
Posts: 2,991
Bikes: Rebel Cycles Trike, Trek 7500FX
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Oh, but as for building a plexiglass frame...
You will need to build it in layers. Picture the tubes of a regular bike. When you remove all the components, the metal frame can sit nearly flat on its side. This is the shape you'll need to cut from the plexiglass. The "tubes" will need to be wider than the typical metal frame tubes, because plexiglass isn't as strong. You will need several layers of plexiglass, maybe 4 or 5, sandwitched together and glued with epoxy. You cannot use superglue because it will shrink when it sets, and warp your frame. Also, you may need a vacuum chamber for curing the epoxy, to draw out any bubbles that will compromise the integrity of the frame. Some parts of the plexi frame will need to be braced with strips of steel, basically any place you will be attaching a component. You may even want to layer the steel supports in with the plexiglass panels, then run several bolts through the layers. If you do use bolts, use a few of them, and make sure that they are spread out so that they do not create a pressure point on the plexiglass.
It will take many, many steps and lots of waiting to get this thing right. But if you do it right, and pay attention to where the pressure points will be, I think it could be done.
You will need to build it in layers. Picture the tubes of a regular bike. When you remove all the components, the metal frame can sit nearly flat on its side. This is the shape you'll need to cut from the plexiglass. The "tubes" will need to be wider than the typical metal frame tubes, because plexiglass isn't as strong. You will need several layers of plexiglass, maybe 4 or 5, sandwitched together and glued with epoxy. You cannot use superglue because it will shrink when it sets, and warp your frame. Also, you may need a vacuum chamber for curing the epoxy, to draw out any bubbles that will compromise the integrity of the frame. Some parts of the plexi frame will need to be braced with strips of steel, basically any place you will be attaching a component. You may even want to layer the steel supports in with the plexiglass panels, then run several bolts through the layers. If you do use bolts, use a few of them, and make sure that they are spread out so that they do not create a pressure point on the plexiglass.
It will take many, many steps and lots of waiting to get this thing right. But if you do it right, and pay attention to where the pressure points will be, I think it could be done.
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Ashland, VA
Posts: 1,344
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
By the time you get done with all the cutting and layering and bonding, it probably won't be transparent anymore.
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Pleasanton Tx
Posts: 1,213
Bikes: old,older.and very old
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 31 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Somewhere online there issome plans to build HPVs that use plexy and an old stoce/plywood to heat then a bike pump to blow a a bubble out of the plexy---cool plans.Coudl build a cool Clear tank for a cruzer,maybe lights inside/or ??---sam
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Between the mountains and the lake.
Posts: 16,681
Bikes: 8 bikes - one for each day of the week!
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
If you do a Google search for building your own fairings, you will find the site for making them. But they generally use Lexan, as plexi shatters easily.
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Pleasanton Tx
Posts: 1,213
Bikes: old,older.and very old
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 31 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I know ,you could put one of those snowmen inside it so the glitter(snow) would be falling around him as you ride---I got to get some more beer!
#16
Hacker Maximus
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Berkeley california
Posts: 314
Bikes: less than I use to,, more than I need
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Oh about bambo...???
Here are Some More pictures of the Calfee bambo tandem and road bike
actually take a look at BCD frames,, Alex makes them using carbon fibre tubes from windsurf mastils and plywood to make the cores for the linkages and swingarms..not the best but for sure a simple and very efficient way
personally i love his work and how flexible he can be with so few materials at hand..
here is his site BCD racing and a Few Fotos I collect of his frames
actually if you can find Policarbonate A.K.A. lexan you will have suffient strengh but the frame will be so heavy that will be pointless, plus I will love to see how you machine it, since is one of the most dificult materials to form and to make it even wrost is almost impossible to "Polish it" to make it "kind of clear...
I will say sell the acrilic you have On E-bay and get a welder and some tubes and go from there, after you get use to making the the tradicional and easy way, you can try other methods like the one you propose,,for sure acrilic Sucks to make bike frames and almost anything that need to be structural
is a million ways to make structures and they don't exactlly need your typical big tube frames, take a look at this ones.
this "Space frame" structures are super rigid and actually not that heavy
again keep you mind open, you can even use wood for some structures
here is a Link to the cool Crago Bikes
I hope this helps to inspire you a little
Here are Some More pictures of the Calfee bambo tandem and road bike
actually take a look at BCD frames,, Alex makes them using carbon fibre tubes from windsurf mastils and plywood to make the cores for the linkages and swingarms..not the best but for sure a simple and very efficient way
personally i love his work and how flexible he can be with so few materials at hand..
here is his site BCD racing and a Few Fotos I collect of his frames
actually if you can find Policarbonate A.K.A. lexan you will have suffient strengh but the frame will be so heavy that will be pointless, plus I will love to see how you machine it, since is one of the most dificult materials to form and to make it even wrost is almost impossible to "Polish it" to make it "kind of clear...
I will say sell the acrilic you have On E-bay and get a welder and some tubes and go from there, after you get use to making the the tradicional and easy way, you can try other methods like the one you propose,,for sure acrilic Sucks to make bike frames and almost anything that need to be structural
is a million ways to make structures and they don't exactlly need your typical big tube frames, take a look at this ones.
this "Space frame" structures are super rigid and actually not that heavy
again keep you mind open, you can even use wood for some structures
here is a Link to the cool Crago Bikes
I hope this helps to inspire you a little
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 18,138
Bikes: 2 many
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1266 Post(s)
Liked 323 Times
in
169 Posts
Originally Posted by jeff-o
I'd hate to lose power while bombing down a hill at 60 km/h... Ouch!
Later on they were all recalled due to this huge problem.
One frame was never found. It was stolen by the invisible man, and he still rides it........sometimes you can hear him right on your back wheel late at night on a quiet road. You can almost feel him on a dark bike path sometimes. No mater what you do you can't drop him. But you try anyway.
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2002
Posts: 157
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Actually, I believe it would be Wonder Woman riding the invisible bike, as fuel is too expensive for her invisible airplane.
You could use polester resin to cast a headset and BB. It may be possible to infuse the resin with chopped fiberglass without reducing the clarity too much.
Use extruded Lexan tubes for the frame set.
Of course, include LEDs inside the tubes, so the whole frame glows.
You could use polester resin to cast a headset and BB. It may be possible to infuse the resin with chopped fiberglass without reducing the clarity too much.
Use extruded Lexan tubes for the frame set.
Of course, include LEDs inside the tubes, so the whole frame glows.
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2002
Posts: 157
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
This just in: Transparent Aluminum!
https://www.stormingmedia.us/35/3574/A357481.html
Scotty must have sold someone the recipe.
https://www.stormingmedia.us/35/3574/A357481.html
Scotty must have sold someone the recipe.