pipe frame

You better tack or bond the joints so they don't twist loose

<[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Is it possible to build a bike frame out of threaded plumbing pipe? I
know it would be super heavy but could it be done?

Quoted message said:

Is it possible to build a bike frame out of threaded plumbing pipe? I
know it would be super heavy but could it be done?

Anything is possible, but where are you gonna get the threaded lugs?

.... or are you planning to cut off the threaded portion and weld the
pipes together directly?

Mark Hickey
Habanero Cycles
http://www.habcycles.com
Home of the $795 ti frame

Quoted message said:

Is it possible to build a bike frame out of threaded plumbing pipe? I
know it would be super heavy but could it be done?

PVC has a better ride, tbh.

may have said:

Is it possible to build a bike frame out of threaded plumbing pipe? I
know it would be super heavy but could it be done?

Yes and no. Mostly no. Using just the threaded fittings available
off the shelf, the frame would lack a place to install the BB and
headset at the very least. If you expand the limits to allow the
fabrication of custom pipe fittings so that the requisite bike-ish
bits like cranks and headset and seatpost can be included, and if
you're willing to allow the joints to be sweated instead of slavishly
adhering to the usage of the tapered threads as the only joining
method, then I think it would be possible...but silly and probably not
durable. In particular, I would point out that the threads
significantly reduce the wall thickness, and this would probably leave
the resulting frame open to failure in the top tube and down tube at
the headset end. Plumbing pipe is designed to carry small internal
pressure loads, not significant bending and shearing loads.

As a "can I do this" project, IMO, for simple feasibility it ranks
somewhere below building a frame from salvaged bits of shopping
trolley.

You would probably get better results with rattan.

--
My email address is antispammed; pull WEEDS if replying via e-mail.
Typoes are not a bug, they're a feature.
Words processed in a facility that contains nuts.

On Wed, 13 Dec 2006 00:33:50 GMT, "Grolch"

may have said:

You better tack or bond the joints so they don't twist loose

He'll need to be *really* inventive to find a way to do it without a
threaded union in at least three places.

--
My email address is antispammed; pull WEEDS if replying via e-mail.
Typoes are not a bug, they're a feature.
Words processed in a facility that contains nuts.

landotter said:

Quoted message said:

Is it possible to build a bike frame out of threaded plumbing pipe? I
know it would be super heavy but could it be done?

PVC has a better ride, tbh.

Plumbing pipe, metal or plastic, is bogus!!!

Gaspipe rules!

"Ozark Bicycle" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

landotter said:

Quoted message said:

Is it possible to build a bike frame out of threaded plumbing pipe?

I

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

know it would be super heavy but could it be done?

PVC has a better ride, tbh.

Plumbing pipe, metal or plastic, is bogus!!!

Gaspipe rules!

Copper tubing has a better sound.... then there's always EMT.

Chas.

* * Chas said:

"Ozark Bicycle" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

landotter said:

[email hidden] wrote:
> Is it possible to build a bike frame out of threaded plumbing pipe?

I

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> know it would be super heavy but could it be done?

PVC has a better ride, tbh.

Plumbing pipe, metal or plastic, is bogus!!!

Gaspipe rules!

Copper tubing has a better sound.... then there's always EMT.

Copper tubing is fast, but it doesn't last. It's prone to fatigue
cracks; then you will need an EMT.

Quoted message said:

Chas.

<[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Is it possible to build a bike frame out of threaded plumbing pipe? I
know it would be super heavy but could it be done?

Most things mechanical can be done if you throw enough time and money at
it. This sounds more like an interesting project rather than a serious
endeavor.

Plumbing pipe isn't a very accurate description since at one time or
another lead, brass, copper, iron, cast iron, plastic, wood, cement and
even fired clay have been used for some type of "plumbing pipe".

If you are referring to plumbing pipe sold in the US that comes in various
lengths with both ends threaded, it's made of low quality steel or even
low carbon iron as in iron pipe, not cast iron pipe. Either of these
materials will generally have less than half of the strength of most steel
tubing used in bicycles.

Be sure to use lots of "pipe dope"...... ;-)

Chas.

Do it! When it's done, let us see a picture. Then look for someone who is
in the plumbing and bicycle business to put it in the window. Since
plumbing fittings come in mostly 90 and 45 degrees, you will have to use
things like double street els to get the frame geometry just right. This
will make the bike funnier (or do I mean funkier?)

BTW, the use of unions will also be necessary, but that can be a plus,
because it makes it into a folding bike. Along with your tire pump and
regular bicycle tools, you will need to carry a pair of pipe wrenches. You
might be able to pump the frame up to a high pressure, and then use it as a
reserve air supply, leaving the pump at home *to save weight.*

oh, and be sure to use schedule 80 or 120 because that cheap schedule 40
stuff won't last, hehe.

"* * Chas" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

<[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Is it possible to build a bike frame out of threaded plumbing pipe? I
know it would be super heavy but could it be done?

Most things mechanical can be done if you throw enough time and money at
it. This sounds more like an interesting project rather than a serious
endeavor.

Plumbing pipe isn't a very accurate description since at one time or
another lead, brass, copper, iron, cast iron, plastic, wood, cement and
even fired clay have been used for some type of "plumbing pipe".

If you are referring to plumbing pipe sold in the US that comes in various
lengths with both ends threaded, it's made of low quality steel or even
low carbon iron as in iron pipe, not cast iron pipe. Either of these
materials will generally have less than half of the strength of most steel
tubing used in bicycles.

Be sure to use lots of "pipe dope"...... ;-)

Chas.

Ozark Bicycle said:

landotter said:

Quoted message said:

Is it possible to build a bike frame out of threaded plumbing pipe? I
know it would be super heavy but could it be done?

PVC has a better ride, tbh.

Plumbing pipe, metal or plastic, is bogus!!!

Gaspipe rules!

Craig Calfee wins awards with Bamboo, like "Best Road Bike, Best
Off-Road Bike and Peoples' Choice Award at the North American Handmade
Bicycle Show"

http://www.calfeedesign.com/bamboo.htm

* * Chas said:

<[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Is it possible to build a bike frame out of threaded plumbing pipe? I
know it would be super heavy but could it be done?

Most things mechanical can be done if you throw enough time and money at
it. This sounds more like an interesting project rather than a serious
endeavor.

Plumbing pipe isn't a very accurate description since at one time or
another lead, brass, copper, iron, cast iron, plastic, wood, cement and
even fired clay have been used for some type of "plumbing pipe".

If you are referring to plumbing pipe sold in the US that comes in various
lengths with both ends threaded, it's made of low quality steel or even
low carbon iron as in iron pipe, not cast iron pipe. Either of these
materials will generally have less than half of the strength of most steel
tubing used in bicycles.

Hmmmm.....how about a "spaceframe" made of smallish diameter copper
tubing brazed together (think "Bird Cage Maserati"😉? The CTTL ("Copper
Top Tube, Lugless"😉!

Quoted message said:

Be sure to use lots of "pipe dope"...... ;-)

Chas.

Quoted message said:

Is it possible to build a bike frame out of threaded plumbing pipe? I
know it would be super heavy but could it be done?

I didn't have my camera with me at the time but I believe the answer to
that question is yes, at the very least it is possible to fabricate
large sections of replacement using plumbing pipe.

-M

Ozark Bicycle said:

Quoted message said:

Hmmmm.....how about a "spaceframe" made of smallish diameter copper
tubing brazed together (think "Bird Cage Maserati"😉? The CTTL ("Copper
Top Tube, Lugless"😉!

I've seen an entirely practical recumbent with a welded spaceframe made
from large nails and nuts for the joints

--
---
Marten Gerritsen

INFOapestaartjeM-GINEERINGpuntNL
www.m-gineering.nl

Quoted message said:

Is it possible to build a bike frame out of threaded plumbing pipe? I
know it would be super heavy but could it be done?

NPT bottom brackets haven't been made for a long, long time. Expect to
pay through the nose if you do find one.

Oh yeah, be sure to use galvanized so it won't rust right away. --D-y

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Is it possible to build a bike frame out of threaded plumbing pipe? I
know it would be super heavy but could it be done?

Anything is possible, but where are you gonna get the threaded lugs?

... or are you planning to cut off the threaded portion and weld the
pipes together directly?

Mark Hickey

I think he's doing exactly as planned, and it has nothing to do with
building a bike frame.

--Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles
www.ChainReactionBicycles.com

"Mike Jacoubowsky" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Is it possible to build a bike frame out of threaded plumbing pipe? I
know it would be super heavy but could it be done?

Anything is possible, but where are you gonna get the threaded lugs?

... or are you planning to cut off the threaded portion and weld the
pipes together directly?

Mark Hickey

I think he's doing exactly as planned, and it has nothing to do with
building a bike frame.

--Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles
www.ChainReactionBicycles.com

Hopefully it doesn't involve an ounce of Semtex.

Quoted message said:

Is it possible to build a bike frame out of threaded plumbing pipe? I
know it would be super heavy but could it be done?

Tadpole made from eletrical conduit pipe.
http://www.motherearthnews.com/DIY/1983_May_June/Mother_s_Cut_Rate_Recumbent_Bike

SWB recumbent made from a ladies bike and a kids bike
http://www.motherearthnews.com/DIY/1999_February_March/The__18_Recumbent_Bicycle