FIRST BIKE – my LWB (Long Wheel Base)

After several months of reading and researching I decided to start by building a jig to try and keep the frame straight during contruction. I found an idea for a 2x4-framed sheet of plywood and 9” long 2x4 pieces made to clamp the metal tubes in place for the frame. A braze welder, tube mitering jig and a set of bi-metal hole saws were purchased for working with the frame tubing. It took a few months to complete the bike as a lot of trial and error was involved. The recumbent message boards and forums are always a great source of info for both new and seasoned builders.

Here is my first bike and the jig built for it. The two bikes used for this were a Trek 800 MTB and a Tunturi road bike. Both were early 90’s bikes with chromoly steel tubing and pretty decent Shimano 200GS components.

Above – Fork definitely needs more rake for better handling.

Below – my first attempt at braze welding. Next is a cheap derailleur I mounted on the bottom tube for adding tension to the chain.

The bike rode nice but not perfect. I found a problem with the frame alignment. The front end of the frame had twisted slightly. I wasn’t able to see it until the frame was placed back in the jig and verified the warping with a steel rule and square. I found out later that you are to only tack-weld the frame while it is in the jig. The procedure is to tack the entire frame in the jig, remove and weld one joint completely, and then return to the jig to check alignment. Easier to make adjustments this way if something is a little off.

I’ve read that most first attempts end up in the trash or get reused in other projects. Parts from this first frame were used to create the third one. Most builders are not happy with building just one bike.