I just got the PDF for a FWD low-racer made from a mix of recycled BSO and round and rectangular tubing, but I ain't got the $$ for the rectangular tubing. Frustration! I can't even beg for scraps from my usual tubing supplier because the size in the call-out is both a thinner gauge than he carries and a much more expensive alloy than he usually carries. The BOM calls for .060 wall 4130, and the thinnest my usual supplier has is .120 wall 1012, a much softer alloy. I could use the .120 for the brackets (the plans call for .120 for making the jigs and most of the brackets used on the bike). The BOM also calls for a hunk of 1" .060 or .065 wall 4130 for the steer tube, I can get that local and it won't cost too much. But that rectangular 4130...
 
Like I said, frustrating...

Rectangular tubing is self-jigging and has a bit more beaming strength. From reading the instructions the beaming strength is slightly excessive for this bike (the instructions advise cutting lightening holes in the long sides of the box section). Personally I would just go with a thinner wall tubing instead of cutting holes in the tubing but .060 or .065 is hard enough to find, .035 is almost impossible. I can weld that thin a section no problem, finding it, big problem.

The original prototype bike
 

 

opus,
Have you ever tried making the original rbent bike called the 'ground hugger' feature in popular Science?
btw where at be da helmet on dat little girl?

The design makes me think that I would have grease  covered right calf after a ride.
Tom

Quote from johnnybent on Apr 11^th, 2012, 9:58pm:

 
XStream?  Heck, the StratusXP was more of a grease-depositor than the XS is....

I have home built tour easy clone that does a very good job of making my calf greasy.   I have not seen an ex Stream, but I have seen Rans Stratus.
Tom

I guess i'm doing something wrong then...