souperman000
New member
Why don't you just start a build thread on here with pics? Then we can all see what you are doing, and help if you need it. And there will be pics too!
mini bikes
- Thread starter Markminibike
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Why don't you just start a build thread on here with pics? Then we can all see what you are doing, and help if you need it. And there will be pics too!
porsche930dude
New member
also the standart tubing size for a bike like that is 7/8" .083 But 1" is also common
Doc Sprocket
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You'll find that 3/4" Sch40 pipe actually has an O.D. in excess of an inch. It's also very heavy in comparison.
What you may be missing, is that SCH40 pipe is rated according to Nominal Inside Diameter, which is actually quite generous. 3/4 has a fair bit larger inside diameter, and a thick wall, so the O.D. is very big compared to the N.I.D.
What you may be missing, is that SCH40 pipe is rated according to Nominal Inside Diameter, which is actually quite generous. 3/4 has a fair bit larger inside diameter, and a thick wall, so the O.D. is very big compared to the N.I.D.
porsche930dude
New member
the heavy pipe you would buy at a hardware store for gas or water that comes in galvanized or black pipe bends very easy. definatly not good for a minibike. If your really cheap and dont mind welding you can cut up old bicycles and splice all the pieces together with the bends in the right spots. just put a sleve inside each spot you splice.
exenos
Project Nut
I've also been reassured by the steel shop that the black pipe is not a lower quality steel, just manufactured with a looser tolerance of new dimensions. I used 1" sc40 for my.mini bike since it was laying around but I would go with something else if I did it again. Since the 1" sc40 is approximately 1.3" wide and the walls are approaching 3/16" thick my simple minibike is getting close to 130lbs if not more. If your younger or if any one younger is going to be riding this I would definitely take weight into consideration because a minibike over 100lbs is a bear to move around if you have to handbomb it any where it can't roll, and having that much weight fall on you is not fun. Shure nothing is going to break it but Imo its not worth the price.
CrashTestDummy
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Try 3/4" emt conduit. You can get it at any hardware store cheap. It is almost 1" outside. The wall is about .049 thick so it is hard for a newb to weld if your not very good at it. It is also galvanized so do it outside. It is cheap and light, and strong if you do a good job.
exenos
Project Nut
No. Do not use conduit. Its galvanized (poisonous), thin walled and very weak. When I can bend a 6" piece right in half with my hands you should really wonder if its strong enough to be structural, which its not.
souperman000
New member
...Like conduit used for wiring a house? 
Doc Sprocket
*********
Actually, I think it IS feasible. Yes, you must have plenty of ventilation while welding- I suggest forced air like a fan, not just outside. The wall is pretty thin, and will require some skill to weld. But we're building a minibike, not a bridge.
I built the nerf bars and front bumper of my kids' kart out of 3/4" EMT, and you'd be surprised how strong it can be with a couple of bends and a couple of welds. The overall shape of a typical minibike frame is a pretty structurally sound shape. I would indeed trust it. Proper bends and welds? Sure! Butchered? No. But then again, I don't think frame-building of any kind is a good idea for the inexperienced.
Exenos, I would PAY to see you fold a 6" length of 3/4" EMT bare-handed!
I built the nerf bars and front bumper of my kids' kart out of 3/4" EMT, and you'd be surprised how strong it can be with a couple of bends and a couple of welds. The overall shape of a typical minibike frame is a pretty structurally sound shape. I would indeed trust it. Proper bends and welds? Sure! Butchered? No. But then again, I don't think frame-building of any kind is a good idea for the inexperienced.
Exenos, I would PAY to see you fold a 6" length of 3/4" EMT bare-handed!
exenos
Project Nut
Hey now, I didn't say I used my bare hands, just that I used my hands.
I jammed it in a crack and folded it over.
I jammed it in a crack and folded it over.
beansdaddy78
JR. Member
i have a wickedly bedazzled speedo id like to test out in that there tub.
let me know if you want me to post pics
exenos
Project Nut
i have a wickedly bedazzled speedo id like to test out in that there tub.
let me know if you want me to post pics
Argh, no my dad's scarred me enough. I don't need another guy doing the same thing.
Doc Sprocket
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The implication was certainly there!
Frankly, it scares me that you'd even admit that.
let me know if you want me to post pics
Wasn't that outlawed in the Geneva Protocol, or something? Because that's right there next to biological and chamical warfare. Psychological warfare...
Dood... What'd I ever do to you?
exenos
Project Nut
I know...
I was thinking that using conduit was a really bad idea so I left it like that on purpose. I was just concerned about the safety of using that thin of tubing and thought that a little exaggeration for the sake of safety couldn't hurt.
I was thinking that using conduit was a really bad idea so I left it like that on purpose. I was just concerned about the safety of using that thin of tubing and thought that a little exaggeration for the sake of safety couldn't hurt.
Doc Sprocket
*********
Well, I will say this much- In the hands of a competent welder, I believe it would work out well. Left up to a rookie, fuhgeddaboutit!
souperman000
New member
When welding galvanized metal, make sure to wear the appropriate mask. The fumes can be dangerous.
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