alternate uses of common products for motorbicycling

GoldenMotor.com

zean

Active Member
Dec 5, 2010
321
216
43
california
Hi. In a previous issue of Popular Mechanics I recently read an article on different uses of common products. There were five ideas, right now I can only remember two of them: one was putting grass clippings in a flat bicycle tire to give it enough buoyancy to get you home and the other was wrapping dental floss (preferably the waxed variety) around the threads of a bolt as a replacement for thread-locker. When I think of the other three ideas I will write them down. Thankyou.
 

wheelbender6

Well-Known Member
Sep 4, 2008
4,059
221
63
TX
Beer and soda cans have been used for air cleaner housings and muffler end caps.
I used window blind brackets for fender brackets.
One member made an air cleaner housing from a tuna can.
One member made a velocity stack from a tooth brush holder.
I made a fake oil tank from a tea bag tin.
Members make fuel tanks from all kinds of things.
Using what you have laying around to solve problems is a big part of motorized bicyling.
 

Ludwig II

Well-Known Member
Jul 17, 2012
5,071
783
113
UK
For thread locking and sealing, I have used strips cut from plastic bags in the past. They work well enough.
 

maniac57

Old, Fat, and still faster than you
Oct 8, 2011
4,484
22
0
memphis Tn
My front rack is made from the back panel of a shopping cart with supports made from steel table leg braces (1/4 rod).
My front disc caliper and mount are off a chinese scooter/atv with a disc rim from another bike.
 
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Dan

Staff
May 25, 2008
12,765
115
48
59
Moosylvania
If I accidentally forget my chapstick, we all need it... I use oil from my 4-stroke motor! Very manly flavor but, works in a pinch
LOL, ***! that was funny!!

Still laughing but if there were a prize or trophy, you won.


still laughing. Visions of "Hi Honey, I'm home" and kissing her. Would look like when yer cat yawns and you stick your peanut butter covered finger in her mouth. smack, lick, lick lick, smack............ mouth going up and down and giving you the stink eye.
laff
 
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Allen_Wrench

Resident Mad Scientist
Feb 6, 2010
2,784
26
36
Indianapolis
If you go into my album, you'll see pictures of things I've used in my build. I'm one of the guys with a tuna can for an air cleaner cover. I built an earlier fuel tank from an aluminum softball bat. (The new one is custom-welded aluminum.) I built a replica head lamp from a stainless steel toilet brush holder and part of a sunglasses case. I made a fake acetylene tank (battery holder) from a coffee tin (or maybe it was a cookie tin?). The false oil tank is a modified toy mail box. The brass choke lever was made from old metronome parts. I could probably go on, but you all get the idea. I only fabricate parts which don't already exist in the form of some other device. But if it exists at all, I have no qualms about repurposing.
 

AssembleThis

New Member
May 11, 2014
163
0
0
NC United States
Hi maniac57!

Nice build, worthy of a second picture or two so we can see the mods up close. I've gotten many ideas from forum pictures and most mods I do are made with scrap. So how about some more pictures, please?

Dave
AssembleThis

.xx.