Framebuilders - First born, maiden voyage

This is my first bike build. It isn`t finished yet, but it`s roadable (rideable?) as of yesterday. When it`s all there, I`ll put it in the sticky, but for now I`m really excited and wanted to post it up for Show N Tell.
http://forums.mtbr.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=554126&stc=1&d=1278340547
http://forums.mtbr.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=554127&stc=1&d=1278340547
For a first build, I opted to keep it simple by coppying a bike that somebody else has already designed and tested, just leaving me with the actual fabrication to deal with. Also, recumbents are (or can be) a lot simpler than DFs, so I tried my hand at a Rans V-Rex:
http://www.bicycleman.com/recumbents/rans/images/rans_v-rex_lg.jpg
I`m not so sure any more if it was really all that much simpler since I had to make a lot of parts that aren`t easilly available off the shelf.

I have a 7-speed 559 rear and 406 BMX front with a triple crank, but so far no shifters. I want to get the contact points dialed in, or at least closer, before I string cables, but I found that I can shift the front on the fly with my fingers- maybe not a good idea, but so far I still have ten of `em :D. I did at least put a brake lever on there with some temporary cable.

Hmmm... I don`t know why the linked pics didn`t load, but here`s the build with attatched pics.

Congrats!!! And a recumbent to boost. That's exciting. I can't wait till I can post after my first build, probably next summer. Post again and let us know how it rides.

Some more build pics:

wow, that's a nice piece of work. I really like the way you've made the seat. Is that aluminum piece purchased, or did you make it?

Damnit! I`m trying to attatch the pics that wouldn`t link in the first post, but now I can`t get teh attatchments to open- Grrr! Okay, I`ll try linking again and maybe have better luck this time.

http://forums.mtbr.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=554126&stc=1&d=1278340547

http://forums.mtbr.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=554127&stc=1&d=1278340547

Yay, they posted!

Thanks, Unterhausen and Surfjimc. I made the seat frame and the mounting bracket myself from EMT and aluminum block, respectively. Note that the clamps on the schnazzy bracket were the bike`s first casualty- I overtorqued the bolts and snapped off them at the weld. Planning to keep the bracket but redo the clamps in steel.

Nice work! I think working in a machine shop is cheating!! .... That mill is interesting.. Kerney-trekker? Nice fixturing also..

Thanks, Ftw. Cheating :eek:! That`s alright- to tell the truth I kind of feel like I`m cheating too, even though I keep telling myself "cheating" is impossible when there isn`t any competition. What it comes down to is that I have nowhere suitable to work at home, so I`m building in the maintenance shop I work in, and when working in a toy store I`d be a fool not to take advantage of the toys. Also in my defense, although I definitely feel fortunate to have all those nice goodies available to me, we all know that HAVING the stuff isn`t the same as being able to put it to use and turn out a nice product. Feeble defense statement done :)

I don`t remember the manufacturer of that mill. It`s a Polish machine by nobody that I`ve heard of before- a bit of a PITA due to the cranks and controls being spread out randomly all over the place, but very solid and very versatile.