Introduction: "VAPORIZER" = Parade-Stretch-Cargo Bicycle
More by the author:
About: recently retired tinkerer with an overactive imagination, possibly infected with the 'Idea Virus'
MOTIVATION:
I volunteered to participate in a community event that combined healthy lifestyles, creative 3-D art, and recycling called "The Visalia Bike Project".
Artists, activists, cyclists, and zanies joined to prepare "Kinetic Sculpture" entries for the St. Patrick's Day parade.
(The second photo shows another of my three creations, in the background).
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DESCRIPTION:
A girl's bike was stretched by adding a little boy's bike in the back.
For this event, it's more of a crazy parade bike.
It is easily convertible to become a cargo bike with a low center of gravity
SPECIAL NOTE:
There are THREE creations in this series of Instructables. The two others are:
"THE RUSTBUCKET" - - - "THE SPIN-DOCTOR"
Please take a look at them, and let me know what you think and how to make them better. Thanks!!
I volunteered to participate in a community event that combined healthy lifestyles, creative 3-D art, and recycling called "The Visalia Bike Project".
Artists, activists, cyclists, and zanies joined to prepare "Kinetic Sculpture" entries for the St. Patrick's Day parade.
(The second photo shows another of my three creations, in the background).
<< SHAMELESS PLUG >> Please VOTE in the INSTRUCTABLE CONTEST << VOTE FOR THE SPIN-DOCTOR >>
( subscribe to me IRISHMAIL and get notified of the "lightweight portable Bike Stand" to be published in July )
DESCRIPTION:
A girl's bike was stretched by adding a little boy's bike in the back.
For this event, it's more of a crazy parade bike.
It is easily convertible to become a cargo bike with a low center of gravity
SPECIAL NOTE:
There are THREE creations in this series of Instructables. The two others are:
"THE RUSTBUCKET" - - - "THE SPIN-DOCTOR"
Please take a look at them, and let me know what you think and how to make them better. Thanks!!
Step 1: TOOLS & MATERIALS
TOOLS:
standard bike maintenance tools - wrenches, screwdrivers, pliers, vicegrips, hammer
a chain repair tool (to disassemble & assemble bicycle chains)
hacksaw & electric angle-grinder
welding gear (or a friendly somewhat crazy nearby welder)
MATERIALS:
two bicycles (3rd photo) and misc parts - (if you don't have access to a "bike pile" (2nd photo), then search for discarded dumpster-cycles and yard sales)
discarded crutches, a lawn chair, & some stuffed animals
colorful spray paint & tape
(optional but recommended = beer)
standard bike maintenance tools - wrenches, screwdrivers, pliers, vicegrips, hammer
a chain repair tool (to disassemble & assemble bicycle chains)
hacksaw & electric angle-grinder
welding gear (or a friendly somewhat crazy nearby welder)
MATERIALS:
two bicycles (3rd photo) and misc parts - (if you don't have access to a "bike pile" (2nd photo), then search for discarded dumpster-cycles and yard sales)
discarded crutches, a lawn chair, & some stuffed animals
colorful spray paint & tape
(optional but recommended = beer)
Step 2: THE FRAME GAME
ACQUISITION:
Two MAGNA brand dumpster-cycles were rescued from melt-down - a red & black little boy's 16-inch "Vaporizer" and a purple & white girl's 24-inch "Great Divide". Both were disassembled down to their frames.
PREPARATION:
The Vaporizer's head tube was hacksawed from top-to bottom. (2nd photo) The brace between the white seat stays was also sawed off, and the frames were mocked-up to check how well they fit together (3rd photo). The white seat stays were deemed unnecessary and were completely removed.
ASSEMBLY:
The frames were clamped and welded in two locations -
(1) the red head tube to the white seat tube (photo 4), and
(2) the red bottom bracket to the white rear fork ends (photo 5)
Two MAGNA brand dumpster-cycles were rescued from melt-down - a red & black little boy's 16-inch "Vaporizer" and a purple & white girl's 24-inch "Great Divide". Both were disassembled down to their frames.
PREPARATION:
The Vaporizer's head tube was hacksawed from top-to bottom. (2nd photo) The brace between the white seat stays was also sawed off, and the frames were mocked-up to check how well they fit together (3rd photo). The white seat stays were deemed unnecessary and were completely removed.
ASSEMBLY:
The frames were clamped and welded in two locations -
(1) the red head tube to the white seat tube (photo 4), and
(2) the red bottom bracket to the white rear fork ends (photo 5)
Step 3: DRIVE TRAIN & STEERING
The wheels, pedals, and chain rings were painted yellow and dry-fit to the frame, in order to check for ground clearance. A 26" front fork with a 20" front wheel was more interesting to me than keeping the original 24" front end, and was good enough to ride. The 16" rear coaster brake provides the stopping power. Two standard chains were then fit to size, using the chain tool.
Two gear clusters were painted and welded (2nd photo) onto one of my soon-to-be- famous "Handlebar Stem Extender" creations.This extender was fabricated from the "Vaporizer's" front fork and bar set.
At the urging of many friends. 2 baby bottle nipples from a dollar store were glued onto the gear clusters (photo 4).
Two gear clusters were painted and welded (2nd photo) onto one of my soon-to-be- famous "Handlebar Stem Extender" creations.This extender was fabricated from the "Vaporizer's" front fork and bar set.
At the urging of many friends. 2 baby bottle nipples from a dollar store were glued onto the gear clusters (photo 4).
Step 4: GLIDER SWING on SISSY BAR on BANANA SEAT
This is primarily a "parade bike". Kids like parades and kids like stuffed animals, so my "passengers" will be four yard-sale bears with Grateful Dead garb.
The fake banana seat is a wooden 1x6 with foam and vinyl glued on. (2nd photo)
The sissy bar and glider-swing is a pair of aluminum crutches, plus lawn chair corners and little plastic seats. Note the holes from the adjustable crutch handles (3rd photo).
The St.Patrick's Day hats add color to the festivities.
The fake banana seat is a wooden 1x6 with foam and vinyl glued on. (2nd photo)
The sissy bar and glider-swing is a pair of aluminum crutches, plus lawn chair corners and little plastic seats. Note the holes from the adjustable crutch handles (3rd photo).
The St.Patrick's Day hats add color to the festivities.
Step 5: FINISHING TOUCHES
Both wheels were decorated "Scraper Bike" style with tape - for plenty of flash and sparkle.
A kickstand and the original "Vaporizer" chain guard (2nd photo) was affixed.
Yellow diamonds and 2 seat post clamps were rattle-canned. Red and gray accent stripes were also added.
A kickstand and the original "Vaporizer" chain guard (2nd photo) was affixed.
Yellow diamonds and 2 seat post clamps were rattle-canned. Red and gray accent stripes were also added.
Step 6: D O N E ! ! !
All systems are GO, and thestretched-out "VAPORIZER" is ready for its first public showing.
Our team welder elected to pilot this creation in the St. Patrick's Day Parade (3rd photo). The two bears on the banana seat and two on the glider swing were also excited to join in the festivities in their 'dancing bear' outfits. It was all for the glory!
The rear seat / swing is easily removable. A cargo hauler or Burning Man bike are just some of the future possibilities.
Our team welder elected to pilot this creation in the St. Patrick's Day Parade (3rd photo). The two bears on the banana seat and two on the glider swing were also excited to join in the festivities in their 'dancing bear' outfits. It was all for the glory!
The rear seat / swing is easily removable. A cargo hauler or Burning Man bike are just some of the future possibilities.
Participated in the
Wheels Challenge
Participated in the
Bicycle Contest
