Bicycle Mechanics - Home made bike tools you might be interested in

I'm building a bike up from scratch. I have bought some tools over the last 2 years but some are too expensive to buy so i decided to make my own. These are some that i have seen on various sites around the net but were mostly inspired by Bike Mechanic Maginifico Carlos from www.bikemojo.com. He knows everything.

the headset puller is a piece of 5/8" pvc pipe 12" long and cut into quarters about 3 inches down. All you have to do is pull them back a little bit to make the spread pattern. Use a rubber mallet to hammer with.


http://www.ridemonkey.com/forums/attachment.php?s=&postid=433797

This is my version of the $5 headset tool. A little phil wood and it just slipped right on. It took a while to figure out what to do with and how to install the shims and extra seals but I finally got it. Headset press - 2 2" washers, 2 1" washers, 1 12" threaded rod and two nuts = about $5. I installed one side at a time to keep the installation simple.


http://www.ridemonkey.com/forums/attachment.php?s=&postid=433799

My home built chain guard. It's clear, my favorite color.

http://www.ridemonkey.com/forums/attachment.php?s=&postid=433858

I'm doing a part by part pictorial on bikemojo.com. I did this with my other bike too. I know a lot of people have built their own bikes and know all of this stuff but there are a lot of us who don’t and really just need a little info and confidence to let us know we can. So as I learn new stuff about bikes so can everyone else who want to tune in.
If you go over there try to keep in mind that I personally know most everyone on the board and have ridden or raced with and against most of them too. There are a lot of O.T. posts in the threads so you just have to bear with it.
First bike build (http://www.bikemojo.com/speak/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1830&highlight=project%20bike)
Bike Build Project 2.0 (http://www.bikemojo.com/speak/showthread.php?s=&threadid=5649)

I made a tool I call a "Cone Twirler," which is used with a drill (cordless, in my case) to spin the non-drive-side cones on and off of hubs when doing maintenance. Now if I only had a camera, I could show what it looks like...

I also made a tool to build Zipp wheels with. The scary thing about the Zipps is that if you lose a spoke nipple inside the rim, you get to spend the next 1 to 2 hours shaking the rim in hopes of getting the stray nipple to fall out. Well, I am inordinately proud to say that I've never lost a nipple in a Zipp rim, thanks to my little dealiebob, and I will send plans for one if anyone has a need for them. :)

Originally posted by mechBgon
I made a tool I call a "Cone Twirler," which is used with a drill (cordless, in my case) to spin the non-drive-side cones on and off of hubs when doing maintenance. Now if I only had a camera, I could show what it looks like...

I also made a tool to build Zipp wheels with. The scary thing about the Zipps is that if you lose a spoke nipple inside the rim, you get to spend the next 1 to 2 hours shaking the rim in hopes of getting the stray nipple to fall out. Well, I am inordinately proud to say that I've never lost a nipple in a Zipp rim, thanks to my little dealiebob, and I will send plans for one if anyone has a need for them. :)

A nipple grip.... just the thing for that cyclist at christmas that has everything:)

talking of cameras have you seen those miniature digital cameras that sell for about 45$ ? I bought one for taking out on the bike but you can use it as a web cam also and it takes a short video clip as well as stills. Perfect for sending pictures. uses a USB lead included. It even conects to your TV All for about45$ :thumbup: heres an example

http://www.thinkgeek.com/stuff/gadgets/5b38.shtml

Earleybird, that camera is awesome! I think i'll buy one. If anyone else is interested, techdepot.com (http://www.techdepot.com/product.asp?productid=1160164&affid=2165) has the camera for $36.99 + $6.50 shipping state side! I think i'll purchase two or three at that price, they would make a great gift.

A nipple grip.... just the thing for that cyclist at christmas that has everything

You mean a Zipp nipple grip.

:)

Originally posted by Joe Gardner
Earleybird, that camera is awesome! I think i'll buy one. If anyone else is interested, techdepot.com (http://www.techdepot.com/product.asp?productid=1160164&affid=2165) has the camera for $36.99 + $6.50 shipping state side! I think i'll purchase two or three at that price, they would make a great gift.

yep there pretty fantastic Joe.
I bought one for the missus and she put it on her key ring its that small! the only drawback is 1. you can't upgrade the embedded flash memoryand 2. you cannot check your pictures ( no LCD screen) until you download to your PC or plug into any TV with an S video input.
Still as you say for that price who cares?!...:D

Cool thread.
Make your own 3rd hand too; Get some ahesive back velcro and stick it together with the adhesive backs. All you have to do is wrap it around your brake calipers to hold them closed while changing a cable. You can use pliers to pull the cable tight, I use my hand.

what's wrong w/ a hammer and a piece of wood or two for installing headsets?

for a third hand a small "C" clamp works well too.

Originally posted by Paige
Cool thread.
Make your own 3rd hand too; Get some ahesive back velcro and stick it together with the adhesive backs. All you have to do is wrap it around your brake calipers to hold them closed while changing a cable. You can use pliers to pull the cable tight, I use my hand. That's always been one of my favorites as I tend to work on the bike whenever my girlfriend is asleep (small apartment) and need to do stuff like that without a helper. Then again the cats are always offering "help".


Hmmm I wonder if cat fur would clog up a freewheel............:rolleyes:

Originally posted by pnj
what's wrong w/ a hammer and a piece of wood or two for installing headsets?




Nothing, i do the same :D ,but i like the idea of nice home made headset tool!

Thanks for the ideas, cheers :beer: