Frames - how do you determine the quality of the welding?

Very constructive addition to this two-month-old post, Blakenstein. You deserve a -10 on your post count for that, and I deserve a -10 for responding to it and acting like a mod.

Topicwise, though, I love the cheap 1970's steel Schwinn frames (varsities, continentals, etc...) that people used to throw away all the time. Almost indestructible. Now that "fixies" are popular, I guess those old bikes are worth something and are harder to find on the curbside. Those 10-speeds are not the cruiser-style MBers prefer. Handlebars can get you more upright, but the narrow frame might not be good for the standard left-side sprocket/chain setup.

Okay Now....first of all, there is no such thing as " a bad weld" on any store bought bike, cheap or not!! Q. C. highly inspects those welds before those bikes leave. Secondly, the welds are very professionally made by professionals. Thirdly YOU CANNOT TELL IF A WELD IS GOOD JUST BY LOOKING AT IT!!!!!! you can have a weld that looks perfect,nice uniform bead,no spatter or undercut,not too cold or too hot,and great fusion,HOWEVER; INSIDE the bead there can be and in many cases there has been something called POROSITY that will cause the weld to FAIL under applied loads. The only way to detect this is with very expensive X-RAY equipment.
There,now he knows . Can I have my 10 points back??? common please gimme gimme gimme gimme gimme gimme please.

Now that was very informative! I would give you +20 for that! But now you've got me worried about MY welds.

Thanks for the 20 A-Dam, I would not worry too much if I were you, unless you're doing those multi pass pressure type welds, the ones that have root passes,then filler passes and wash passes.

Personally I like the geometry and the handle bars on a mountain bike not bmx, I think if you go 1 step above the 70/80/90$ bicycles you can get a quality bike with few problemos. Just today I saw walmart had a brand new mountain type bike for $49 and Im sure the components are terrible. With these kits its enough work getting the right bolts and tweaking it to your taste. Heck with having to worry about the bike too....... mountain bikes respond on a dime and are nimble......anyways Im just ranting bout nuttin.

Great info on the welds. Thanks Blacken. My favorite MB (wally world Point Beach) Has crazy lookin' welds that I always liked but worried about.

Most of my builds have been on cheap wally world bikes. All have worked fine and no complaints. But take a steel framed MTB, put cruiser handle bars on it and man! Just rides so much better. Love the looks of the swarly, cantilever frames but especially with a 2 stroke engine, it just mounts better and keeps the vibes down. GoodWill just had a MTB for 8 bucks! Steel, awesome brakes and missing a peddle. Was to tall for me but man.

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Work like you don't need the money, Dance like no one is watching and Love like you've never been hurt

I want 2 ride my bicycle

I believe steel frames to be the best- they are the strongest .My summer bike is aluminum but my winter bike is cro/mo. I feel allot safer on my winter bike.
You have nice pictures of a nice bike!! What type motor you got there??-looks like it really hauls.

Steel really does have a much better feel. Was wondering if it was just in my head. TY. Pic 1 and 3 are a Honda. (I Love it!!! Well worth the $). Pic 2 is either a BGF or Dax 2 smoke. That bike has had at least 3 engines on her and with amazingly lil maint., been a champ. The bent seat post was hand made by 2Door (Tom) completely made it a good ride. The only thing I need to add is springer forks. She is a bit ruff on bumps.

With the Honda/Grubee GB, a lil over 35 MPH. Love the Honda for that. Cruises at 30/34 After that, still vibes less then a china girl and makes a much better sound.

No one get upset! I love my China girls, just sayin'!

__________________
Work like you don't need the money, Dance like no one is watching and Love like you've never been hurt

I want 2 ride my bicycle

I assume Carol is aware of this?
Tom

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Age and Treachery Will Always Triumph
Over Youth and Skill

LOLOLOL, oh yea Tom. Makes her shake her head but ayup

(me got lucky. hot and loving great chick)

My girl of 21 yrs, rocks big time! I'd marry her in a NY min, but she is way to smart for my proposals! (gonna have to get her liquored up)

__________________
Work like you don't need the money, Dance like no one is watching and Love like you've never been hurt

I want 2 ride my bicycle