Introduction: Top Banana Bike
Convert a small kid bike into a fun sporty looking silly riding adult bike.
Kids outgrow their bikes so fast but here is a way to put even the smallest 12" wheel kid bike back into action as a cool-goofy adult bike.
Re-uses/repurposes old items from the dumpster:
small kid bike,
crutch,
old steel tube,
wood mop handle.
Visit a good primer on Dumpster Dipping
Only had to buy the banana seat and a 5" long 1/4" bolt.
Kids outgrow their bikes so fast but here is a way to put even the smallest 12" wheel kid bike back into action as a cool-goofy adult bike.
Re-uses/repurposes old items from the dumpster:
small kid bike,
crutch,
old steel tube,
wood mop handle.
Visit a good primer on Dumpster Dipping
Only had to buy the banana seat and a 5" long 1/4" bolt.
Step 1: Parts Needed
12" or 16" kid bike
Banana seat
Steel tube to fit in steering tube and support seat nose.
Steel tube that accepts kid bike stem
caster wheel from cart, furniture etc to form swiveling seat nose bracket
1" or 7/8" wood dowel (about 8" long) to connect caster threaded post to steel seat nose support tube.
Crutch to support back end of seat
3/8" bolt to bolt seat nose to caster bracket
1/4" by about 5" long bolt and 5-6 nuts to bolt seat back to crutch
Banana seat
Steel tube to fit in steering tube and support seat nose.
Steel tube that accepts kid bike stem
caster wheel from cart, furniture etc to form swiveling seat nose bracket
1" or 7/8" wood dowel (about 8" long) to connect caster threaded post to steel seat nose support tube.
Crutch to support back end of seat
3/8" bolt to bolt seat nose to caster bracket
1/4" by about 5" long bolt and 5-6 nuts to bolt seat back to crutch
Step 2: Pull Stem From Kid Bike and Make a New Tall Seat Support Tube Instead
Take stem from kid bike and measure tubing diameter needed to replace the stem and slip snugly into the fork's steering tube.
Slip it into steerer and determine length needed to get eat to right height for you.
Cut to length remembering to subtract height of caster frame that goes between tube and seat nose bracket.
Shave dowel down to fit snugly in top of stem tube. Pound it in at least 5 inches. Cut off protruding excess dowel. Drill snug whole to let you force thread the caster bolt into the dowel.
Attach stem tube to bike either slipping it directly in fork's steerer tube or using an intermediate tube in the steerer and slipping the stem over the intermediate tube. fit with aluminum can strip shims if needed for snugness.
Slip it into steerer and determine length needed to get eat to right height for you.
Cut to length remembering to subtract height of caster frame that goes between tube and seat nose bracket.
Shave dowel down to fit snugly in top of stem tube. Pound it in at least 5 inches. Cut off protruding excess dowel. Drill snug whole to let you force thread the caster bolt into the dowel.
Attach stem tube to bike either slipping it directly in fork's steerer tube or using an intermediate tube in the steerer and slipping the stem over the intermediate tube. fit with aluminum can strip shims if needed for snugness.
Step 3: Miter and Weld Stem
Cut and miter (mitering means to cut or grind joint to fit together snuggly for welding) stem extension onto stem upright.
I used a tube with an inside diameter that the bike's stem fit inside (just like the fork's steerer tube).
Weld in place with goopy weld. I use a MIG (Metal Inert Gas) welder with flux core wire and no shielding gas. This really helps me avoid pretty welds.
I used a tube with an inside diameter that the bike's stem fit inside (just like the fork's steerer tube).
Weld in place with goopy weld. I use a MIG (Metal Inert Gas) welder with flux core wire and no shielding gas. This really helps me avoid pretty welds.
Step 4: Gently Squash Crutch Arms
Cut armpit brace off of upper crutch arms.
Gently semi-squash aluminum crutch arms into ovals so the bike's rear wheel bolts can reach through after proper sized axle whole is drilled in each arm.
Gently semi-squash aluminum crutch arms into ovals so the bike's rear wheel bolts can reach through after proper sized axle whole is drilled in each arm.
Step 5: Assemble the Seat Nose
With caster screwed tightly into wood dowel in stem, now you can assemble (bolt) the seat nose bracket to the caster bracket.
Step 6: Proto Type Testing
Take rear wheel axle nuts off and put drilled crutch arms on axle and re-tighten nuts (gently so as not to crack the aluminum).
For testing purposes the rear of the banana seat can be suspended by rope from the crutch while you finalize seat height desired.
Yes, it's already fun to ride.
For testing purposes the rear of the banana seat can be suspended by rope from the crutch while you finalize seat height desired.
Yes, it's already fun to ride.
Step 7: Cut Crutch and Assemble Seat Rear Mount
Cut crutch to length.
Drill hole for bolt (1/4" or largest bolt that seat eyelets accept.)
Assemble with nuts to keep parts in desired locations.
Drill hole for bolt (1/4" or largest bolt that seat eyelets accept.)
Assemble with nuts to keep parts in desired locations.
Step 8: Enjoy the Finished Product
Rides slow because of very low gearing on 12" bikes. (helps parents keep up with the little rascals)
The feeling alternates between:
Recaptured youth and your first bike ride or
It feels like the circus is in town or
you need to be wearing a Shriners' hat.
This bike was a proof of concept experiment for building a successor to my compact triangle bike
The feeling alternates between:
Recaptured youth and your first bike ride or
It feels like the circus is in town or
you need to be wearing a Shriners' hat.
This bike was a proof of concept experiment for building a successor to my compact triangle bike