Tubing for very long cruiser frame
 

If I wanted to build something like this
http://i570.photobucket.com/albums/s.../Photo1021.jpg

What sort of tubing would I need? Obviously it has to be stronger than ordinary bike tubing, but how much thicker would the tube walls have to be (assuming steel tubes)
Any ideas where I might get tubing like that in the UK?
Thanks

Foam filled 1 1/4 inch stainless steel exhaust pipe for the main frame might work.

You'll need some thick walled straight gauge (non-butted) chromoly tubing. Try calling Ceeway on 1322 442990 (44 1322 442990 outside U.K.) and discuss your application with them.

I hope you're accomplished at fillet brazing or TIG welding.

I think you'd want stiffer than normal tubing due to the larger lengths. Look for larger diameter (with same wall thickness to start) to gain stiffness.

Commercial metal supply houses often carry steel and aluminum tubing in various shapes (circular, ellipitical, square, rectangular,...) and sizes.

1-5/8" x 16ga exhaust tubing will be fine. If you weight much more than 90kg (200 lbs), then use 1-3/4" x 16ga for the lower. Unlike thinwall chromoly (which must be bent with expensive mandrel benders), mild steel exhaust tubing bends easily, is inexpensive and not as fussy about the welding process. Remember, the majority of your weight is carried by the rear wheel so you don't need large diameters or heavy wall thickness.

I've built all mine with tubing out of old Huffy/Murray bikes. Easy to cut and weld (even with my 220 stick weleder), just butt tubes up and weld (usually slug 'em) to make them long enough.

same for me. for my usual stretch i use a beach cruiser type frame and only add a couple tubes to get what i want. a piece of gutted coneyor tube i get from work (but i believe something like a chain link fence post would work just as well) and a piece of black pipe to extend the top tube. the rest is from the bike it's self.

the last one i played with is all bike frame parts. one main frame to start and kept an eye out for other frames with the right size/curve/leanth tubing to get what i needed.

Thanks for sharing your views on the topic. It makes one think and look the other side of the story.
chicago injury attorney

You could always add a tube between the top tube and the bottom bracket for a little extra strength.