Introduction: How to Build a Great Big Tall Bike.

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Hey, here is my great big tall bike.

 I was given lots of parts of bicycles and as as none of them were any good or complete I decided to uses up all the parts that I could to make something beautiful.

I used two mountain bike frames and an extra sets of forks ( three in total) and a bmx back wheel.

I made it up as I went along and it was lots of fun.

I used an arc welder (stick welder) which is not ideal for bike frames but if you don't mind burning a few holes into the frames then it is ok;  a Mig or acetylene welder would be easy peasy.

My welding is not so good so I jumped around on the frame before riding the bike to make sure that it was safe.

It rides like a dream.




The first step shows everything in an animation form ( this is also in the film) and then the subsequent steps show more detail.

Here is the video ( which is essentially someone riding the bike around in circles for 1 minute and eight seconds); enjoy.




Step 1:

If you were too busy to watch the film then here is a quick animation.

Step 2: The Forks.

Firstly I took the front wheel off.

I took my second pair of forks ( No. 2)  and cut them top and bottom as shown, as shown.


I cut the drop-out ends off the original forks.

I slid the No.2 forks onto the original forks and welded them on.

I took another set of forks (No.3) and cut them at the top and slid and welded them onto fork No.2.

I thought that it would be a good idea to put a brace across the forks for strength.

Unfortunately I had no metal at all; I used the front chainset from frame number 2 and welded it across; it looks rather stylish.

Step 3: The Back Part of the Frame.

I took another frame( frame 2 ) and cut it in the places shown; cutting away the seat tube, down tube and cross bar, leaving me the seat and chain stays and bottom bracket.

The frame 2 was positioned in the original  frame; the bottom bracket between the rear drop-outs and the seat stays nestled around the bottom bracket.

I ran a bolt through frame 2's bottom bracket to hold it tight for welding.

I persuaded frame 2's seat stays to curve around the original frame's bottom bracket with a hammer.

It was then welded at those points.



Step 4: Other Easy Bits.

The original front wheel was put back on and a 20" bmx wheel on the rear.

The rear de-railer was removed and the chain was lengthened using the chain from frame 2.
The front de-railer was kept as a rudimentary chain guard.


I now strive to, however stupid the bike, to have at least one good working  brake.

I removed the cantilever brake arms from the original forks and put them onto No.3 forks.

These were connected to the brake lever by using a rear inner brake cable which is longer than a standard front one,( the outer cable length is not affected.) 

This would be as easy with V-brakes ( but you would have to change both the inner and outer cable for long ones).

This project was a huge amount fun and many people have ridden it.

It's very easy to ride although, as you may have seen, my friend did an impression of a sack of potatoes being thrown down the stairs when she tried; she was unharmed apart from a sore leg.

Happy riding.

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