Touring - Airline baggage machines???

Anyone know the max size of luggage you can put through a machine at the check in?

I've come up with a rather nifty way of cutting a frame in half and then fixing it back together (well, still trying it out, but seems to work fine). It means the widest part of my luggage for flying can be the width of a wheel (700, hopefully, but I'd make do with 26inch if need be).
I don;t want to cut up a good frame, though, just to find out I can;t get it through the check in and have to put it through "oversized articles" - I might as well save myself the bother if that's the case and just put the whole thing in a bike bag.

Thanks in advance

It probably depends on the airline ...

Have a look at this site for the airline you are thinking of going with. And also check the website of the actual airline to make sure they haven't made a very recent change.

http://www.ibike.org/encouragement/travel/bagregs.htm

Thanks for that, Machka. Much appreciated.

what is your method for cutting and refitting your bike?

62" width, height, and depth added together is the standard. The case for my Ritchey Breakaway is just over that, but I've never been questioned or had a problem on several trips with several different carriers.

62" width, height, and depth added together is the standard. The case for my Ritchey Breakaway is just over that, but I've never been questioned or had a problem on several trips with several different carriers.

But be aware ... just when you think they'll never question it ... they do. Always bring some method of payment just in case.

I've also seen them threaten to charge a passenger when he was 1 lb overweight with his bicycle box. He opened the box and removed his Brooks saddle and seatpost and placed them in another bag, dropping the weight just below the limit. I think that move kind of took them by surprise!!

what is your method for cutting and refitting your bike?

It's based on this:

http://www.vintagebicyclepress.com/images/Hersedemontable.jpg


which was kindly linked to me by Velonomad on the framebuilding page.
Effectively I noticed that a modern MTB stem where it fits an aheadset will fit the downtube of an old steel frame (29mm, I believe). The handlebar section of a quillstep will fit the toptube perfectly. You can use the handlebar section of the MTB stem also, aor the aheadset section with a sleeve. They all fit.
You simply cut the frame, and at the bottom find a section of tubing that will fit into the downtube. I'm not sure yet how to fix it. I'm not sure it even needs fixing (though it would be better). It simply adds rigidity and security. You slide the cutdown stem secions over the tubes in the manner you see the sleeve above, and then, when the frame is assembled, slide them over the join and tighten VERY well.

I've not take it out for a ride yet as I've not had time to build the bike bak up, but I've pulled and pushed the frame with all migh might, and I can;t get it to budge, nor even flex more than normal.

Of course, i say do this at your own risk. The risks are obvious. I'm only persuing an idea I've had for myself.

But like I say, I's working for me.

I'll let you know.

This is a modern variation on the same idea, in case anyone's interested:
http://www.sandsmachine.com/