Bamboo Bike #2

Step 4 Initial bonding and on to more frame cutting

Now that the initial fit is completed on the first 3 frame members - top tube, and 2 rear triangle down tubes/uprights, I can bond those to the metal surfaces and get on to cutting out the rest of the metal frame members to replace with bamboo.

This is the least complex step of all really - put bamboo tubes in place and apply some resin to the interface of bamboo and metal.  I, for reinforcement, also wrap a smal amount of carbon tow/string just to make sure all stays in place.  After all I am still going to be slinging this thing around quite a bit and cuting more pieces out.  I want it to stay together!

I mix the resin as the instructions that come with it state - measure resin 10 grams, to hardner 5 grams and mix.  It's a small amount, but then I don't want alot of waste either.  After mixing in one cup pour into another cup and continue mixing.  This is in an effort to make sure the resin is completely mixed and no unmixed resin gets applied - that'd be a sticky mess that would never cure! 

Put the bamboo in place, smear a small amount of resin on the bamboo and in the joint area.  I then take some carbon string and wrap the entire joint tightly making sure the carbon is completely wetted out.  Then wipe with a paper towel to remove the excess resin if any.