Mark IIIII began with one full suspension frame. I was planning to create a tall bike with dual suspension.
The first thing I worked on were the forks. I used two poles from an old trampoline, and wedged + welded them into some suspension forks. Then, I welded on the top of the suspension forks.
While installing them on the bike, the edge-to-edge welds broke like paper under the hefty weight of the forks as well as the angle against the frame.
I then tried a second pair of forks, this time using sleeved wedge welding... snapped straight away. By now I was getting slightly frustrated, but I was going to persevere. My third attempt were custom-made forks, from square tubing, welded onto the trampoline poles. Again, it broke the moment I put it onto the bike.
I took out the forks, and wedged in the top half of some rigid forks before spot-welding them in for extra strength.
After installing them, the forks looked sturdy. I mounted the bike, and they snapped yet again :( .
The first thing I worked on were the forks. I used two poles from an old trampoline, and wedged + welded them into some suspension forks. Then, I welded on the top of the suspension forks.
While installing them on the bike, the edge-to-edge welds broke like paper under the hefty weight of the forks as well as the angle against the frame.
I then tried a second pair of forks, this time using sleeved wedge welding... snapped straight away. By now I was getting slightly frustrated, but I was going to persevere. My third attempt were custom-made forks, from square tubing, welded onto the trampoline poles. Again, it broke the moment I put it onto the bike.
I took out the forks, and wedged in the top half of some rigid forks before spot-welding them in for extra strength.
After installing them, the forks looked sturdy. I mounted the bike, and they snapped yet again :( .
On my fifth try, I used a pair of strong rigid forks, with an extra-long fork-tube.
I welded them in, and they looked pretty strong. I even managed to do an entire hour of riding. The rear suspension was helping to stop the impacts of bumps and kerbs, but it was surprisingly hard to steer. After a while, the welds began to crumble due to the laid-back position and angle of the frame.
The wedged forks quiet literally fell out, and I crashed not-so-majestically into a bush. Later, I welded the forks back in, using as much extra support as I could.
Finally, it was finished. I set up some front brakes, and bolted in half of a handlebar to replace the rear shock and make the bike taller and at a better angle. I also installed an expensive Maxxis front wheel for looks.
Click on the images to see full resolution.
I welded them in, and they looked pretty strong. I even managed to do an entire hour of riding. The rear suspension was helping to stop the impacts of bumps and kerbs, but it was surprisingly hard to steer. After a while, the welds began to crumble due to the laid-back position and angle of the frame.
The wedged forks quiet literally fell out, and I crashed not-so-majestically into a bush. Later, I welded the forks back in, using as much extra support as I could.
Finally, it was finished. I set up some front brakes, and bolted in half of a handlebar to replace the rear shock and make the bike taller and at a better angle. I also installed an expensive Maxxis front wheel for looks.
Click on the images to see full resolution.
Get In Touch.
If you want to get in contact for queries, info or just to talk, please email me (button below), or press the social media icons to be taken to my profiles. Please make sure you make it known you are contacting me about the website, otherwise unknown messages are marked as spam.
Always happy to help and answer questions, feel free to get in touch. |