Making a neck. Pipe, Tube?

[007SwagBaus]

Im trying to plan out the neck of my mini bike. can i get away with using black gas pipe. like an 1" diameter then putting a bolt through the middle?

if not what do you guys suggest? material sourced from a lowes, HD is preferred.

 

[KartFab]

Tube has an OD, so 1" TUBE has an outer diameter of 1" (inside diameter of 1"x1/8" wall tube would be, 3/4")

Pipe has an ID, so 1" pipe would have an INNER diameter of 1".... you would think exactly one inch, but pipe (the black stuff you get at home depot and what not) really has an ID that is variable and bigger than 1" so you will get wiggle room, sometimes a lot of wiggle room.

Most precise measurements are done with DOM pipe or tubing, they are just more precise and can be purchased usually for less $$ from your (google 'steel distributers near me') hardware store. (e.g. home depot would sell a tube for $10, when you could get it for $2 at a steel supplier. Also, why not do like two steering stem bearings like they do with motorcycles? It will make for easier turning/last long.

 

[007SwagBaus]

lol well... ive never built a mini bike before and im just kind of winging it. pretty much copying a doodle bug. i wouldnt object to using bearings... i was considering bushings... but im just trying to keep the cost down

 

[firemanjim]

Go to a steel supply ,or scrap yard , and buy a piece of 1.625" od X .125" wall thickness. A "drop" from a steel supply ,or a short piece from a scrap yard, will be cheaper and better suited for your mini bike. At the scrap yard, it will be like a couple cents a pound..... Then all you'd need is a sleeve for the inside of the neck, to go between inner bearing races.

 

[chancer]

Or buy one of these. They are in Pasadena. If you fill in your profile I would know wether that is close to you or not:
http://www.diygokarts.com/vb/showthread.php?t=29665

 

[supermanotorious]

you can copy this, DOM I bought to fit around standard kart bearings, the DOM will depend on the bearings you buy

I put some tack welds inside the DOM to keep the bearings from going any deeper into the pipe

 

[chancer]

This thread link is about spindles but it is kinda like what superman has above. seems like same theory would work for you.
http://www.diygokarts.com/vb/showthread.php?t=28597