Homemade Wham-o Wheelie bar?
 

I'm sure I'm the last one on the block to see it but I just checked out the youtube video of the 60's commercial for the Wham-o Bicycle Wheelie Bar. Now I want one for one of my bikes. My problem is [hangs head in shame] I can't wheelie. I can for about a tenth of a second but I quickly fall forward or fall backwards. I'm not sure what angle the bike needs to be at to ballance propperly? Any of you mad scientists have any idea how I can calculate aproximatly where the wheels need to be to hold a wheelie without tumbling backwards? Any ideas or sugestions appreciated.

The video i'm refering to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NE-txZE2ggg

Haha, I don't know the answer to your question, but I do know that it would be fun if you could rig up a wheel that would send out sparks when you did a wheelie :) .

East Hill

Sorry, no suggestions but it looks like awesome fun!

I've got to try and build one now!

The banana-seat bicycles have the rider farther back which simplifies getting the wheel up. Notice they didn't show that with a Schwinn Cruiser!

You'll see some exhibitions of riding that are very impressive, but also done on very low-geared bicycles (and fixed-gear bicycles, for that matter), which simplifies the control aspects.

I know how that could work! You get a wheelie bar then you attach a taildevil(used for ends of skateboards) and wal-lah.

P.s make one for me two pls.

Oh!!!!!! I love you (not like that, of course, not that there's anything wrong with that :p ).

I'm going to order one for Mr. East Hill. He LOVES LOVES LOVES the sparking stuff :D .

East Hill

You can get them at local skate shops usually.

?

I'll have to see if I can find one then, I don't think we really have any local skate shops up on the East Hill. At least I've never spotted one :( .

East Hill

Wow! There's one on Central Avenue, and I have never noticed it. I must have ridden right by it yesterday, too.

I'll check it out tomorrow. Thanks Fuzzbox :) .

East Hill

No prob. I don't guarantee anything, but if you ride right by it there's no harm in a looker.

I'm thinking I can strap some pillows to my arse or soemthing prior to testing.

I think I will start with a skateboard or rollerskate truck assemably. I must decide if I sould make a removable attachment to my 'nice' mountain bike or if i should find a donor bike that it can be welded to? Probably a donor bike because I immagine some falls before I get it exactly right. Go ahead and start taking up a collection to cover my medical bills during the R&D phase.

You know, this may sound silly, but you could try asking this question in the Classic & Vintage forum. There may be someone who actually had one of these things, and could tell you more about it.

Just a thought...

East Hill

When I used to skate, a few of us made our own versions by drilling a series of holes in a tailblock and inserting replacement lighter flints. Killer effect!

"premium engineered permanent accessory..."

awesome.

as for how to calculate angle of wheelie for longer lasting...um...wheelie satisfaction, you basically just want your center of gravity (your body, as well as that of the bike minus the back wheel) to be centered front to back over the rear axle as much as you can. if you're dropping the front wheel back down, you're too far forward. if you're coming off the back of the bike, you're too far back.

That would be.......different on a mountain bike, not easy.