About 4 years back I made this:
And to be honest, it was build awfully. I had only learnt to 'weld' days before and the frame was made with little time spent measuring and virtually no weld penetration anywhere on the bike. I can't believe I rode the bike to a top speed of 22mph!
Fast foward to today and I am far more proficient in welding, fabrication and mechanics. So here's my second attempt:
Powered at first by a Suffolk Punch 2.5hp engine, then a Briggs 5hp flathead (rare as hens teeth in the UK), it rides much better than my first creation. And why not? It has a frame which I spent ages making properly, twice the horsepower, over engineered live 1" rear axle on machine pillow bearings (even the idler's on bearings too), comet clutch band brake and more controllable front rake.
I only first rode it with the briggs engine yesterday, so I haven't done a speed test yet, but it feels as fast as fudgenuggets! :laugh:. Definately 30mph +.
Here's some build shots:
And to be honest, it was build awfully. I had only learnt to 'weld' days before and the frame was made with little time spent measuring and virtually no weld penetration anywhere on the bike. I can't believe I rode the bike to a top speed of 22mph!
Fast foward to today and I am far more proficient in welding, fabrication and mechanics. So here's my second attempt:
Powered at first by a Suffolk Punch 2.5hp engine, then a Briggs 5hp flathead (rare as hens teeth in the UK), it rides much better than my first creation. And why not? It has a frame which I spent ages making properly, twice the horsepower, over engineered live 1" rear axle on machine pillow bearings (even the idler's on bearings too), comet clutch band brake and more controllable front rake.
I only first rode it with the briggs engine yesterday, so I haven't done a speed test yet, but it feels as fast as fudgenuggets! :laugh:. Definately 30mph +.
Here's some build shots:
