So now that ive got the headstock, ive got to work out where to put it!I'd forgotten just how heavy the front end was and its quite difficult to hold everything in place so that you can get a feel for the look and ride position (I ignored all wheel geometry theory - I was just looking for the look). A couple of lengths of rope and a few g-clamps helped me out while I created an MDF template that I will be able to use eventually to position the headstock at the correct height and angle.
So all I need to do now is fabricate a jig to hold the headstock tube firmly in place and keep it square and true to the centerline and perpendicular while i shape and weld the frame tubes to it. Professional frame builders use a very simple pair of steel cones that clamp down on the headstock tube ensuring it remains on center axis.... im wondering what i can improvise to create a similar set up. something like a pair of cones or balls with a length of All-thread up the middle that i can tighten together - need to keep my eyes peeled
2 comments:
How difficult would it be to use the forks themselves? If you stripped down to the minimum it might be manageable. The wheel would save a vast amount of weight and you could use the axle mountings a the bottom of the forks to support the bottom end. If you could remove the forks all the better since you would be left with the fork mounts to attach to something. You would need to provide protection so that you avoid weld splash on the bits you don't want weld splash.
If you haven't got the balls have you considered using wheels? If you found a couple of wheels that just fitted inside the bearing ring you could pack them out with shim to hold them central, the axle hole would then provide you centre.
How about clamping a bracket to the headstock tube with Jubilee clips (pip clips. You could position these so that they don't interfer with the frame tubes during welding (possibly)
Brilliant! its been staring me in my face all this time and i simply couldnt see it. Of course i should use the forks and yoke to hold the headstock tube in position. It seems so obvious now that you say it.
Thank you TVOR once again for bringing some clarity to my foggy thinking.
And as an additional benefit I could still attach the handle bars to get a sense for ride position as i shape the frame tubes.
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