I caught a bug!

The Newbie! · #1 07-11-2009, 03:17 PM

So I had this OCC Stingray sittin around that never got ridden, and then a buddy of mine showed me this engine kit that he had put on his mountain bike, n the rest is history! I'm hooked! I guess you could say I'm on my 2nd build, with the same bike, n now it's something different all together! The reason I say second build is cuz at first I just ordered the kit n put it on the OCC. I rode it for a bit, basically the break in period +, n it wasn't long b4 I was looking at 2 different crax in the frame, where the rear wheel cage attach to the main part of the frame. I'm 6' 225lbs, n I guess that the OCC bikes weren't exactly meant for what I have put it thru, with an engine n my fat @#* n all. I didn't abuse it or anything, it just seemed to be a lil too much stress for it! The thoughts of welding up the crax crosed my mind, but I figured it would just continue to break in different spots unless I could do something to take some of the stress off the frame. Somebody suggested I turn it into a soft tail, n I thought hmmmmmm? It was then that I was turned onto this site. I've done alota research here, n wanna give props to the dude that inspired what I created, Brett Mavrik. I found his Orange Coast Chopper build, which became a contstant reference! I think that he spent a lil more time and money on his ride and it shows, but I loved all of his ideas, n used alot of em to fuel mine which will be quite evident when you see my ride, ifyou are familiar with his. I've posted a few comments on here, lemme see if they'll lemme post some pictures of what I dubbed "The Ratt Turd"!
Part 2 of this build really, My buddy with the mountain bike that infected me with this new hobby told me when my bike started to crack, not to go n start polishin a turd, get something else n start over, I refused due to the fact that I was really diggin on the chopper thing, n decided to give it the same type of rat rod theme as the Mavrik did hence the name, Ratt Turd! Ok so this is a test, and these are a few of the many pictures I've taken since I got OCD on this OCC! I will post a thread of the entire build when I have more time, as for now it still isn't finished, as I keep trying different things! Trying to hit the 40mph mark, n so far I've reached 33.4mph!

The Newbie! · #2 07-11-2009, 03:35 PM

Well I just figured out that my pic are too big, gotta figure out how to downsize em, but I'll hafta do that later as well!

wheelbender6 · #3 07-11-2009, 06:01 PM

Welcome to the forum. OCC choppers are built pretty heavy, and your OCC frame failure is
the first I've heard of, and we have plenty of 200+ lbs riders on the forum. I'm sure you will have better luck with your second build.

The Newbie! · #4 07-11-2009, 06:54 PM

Yeah I think I will too as the 2nd build is the same bike, but this time it's no longer rigid, n so far so good! the failure was right at the welds, n then once the welds gave way allthe way around it began a stress fracture that ventured into the middle of the tube! Wow it surprises me that it's the only 1 that has had a failure like that, I just figured cuz it wasoriginally built for kids?

**Dave31** · #5 07-11-2009, 08:29 PM

Welcome The Newbie!, glad you joined us.

Retmachinist · #6 07-11-2009, 11:42 PM

These Schwinn OCC bike frames look like they are heavy duty, but I was really surprised to see the specs. from a new one. They are only rated for 175 lbs. I can't tell where the weakest point would be but that really surprised me to see they were rated that low.
I was going to build a couple this winter for a couple pretty good sized guys, but I think that idea is going to be out. I have a feeling they would blame me if the frames cracked.

John

The Newbie! · #7 07-12-2009, 12:34 AM

I agree on the looks of the ruggedness n durability, but the specs must be right! If it's safe to say the weekest point would be that which breaks 1st, I can tell ya, it's where the rear tire cage is welded to the main frame! 1st it was the weld on the bottom part of the cage, right side. broke all the way around the tube n then ventured off into the planev which faces the tire! Then the same thing happened on top, on the left side! So the next time yer eye ballin 1, look at where the rear tire cage is welded to the frame n you will be looking at the weakest point, assuming of course that the weakest point being that which fails first. However, if ya wanna build the bikes for the big guys, reinforce that area or do the soft tail conversion. Obviously, done right the soft tail solution will hold up the best, makes it a much softer ride as well! However, I don't believe anybody has yet to put a kit together for a soft tail OCC, so you will hafta get creative, and unless yer a math whiz and know the formulas for the angles, and the spring compression ratios, there will be trial and error! I will give you a hint though, I tried to reinvent the wheel, and I don't have the slightest clue as to the formulas, but after 2 different theories failed, I was scratchin my head thinkin hmmmm??? Then I looked over at my full suspension mountain bike.......hadn't tried that yet! But sure enough, 3rd time is a charm!

Retmachinist · #8 07-12-2009, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Newbie!

I* agree on the looks of the ruggedness n durability, but the specs must be right! If it's safe to say the weekest point would be that which breaks 1st, I can tell ya, it's where the rear tire cage is welded to the main frame! 1st it was the weld on the bottom part of the cage, right side. broke all the way around the tube n then ventured off into the planev which faces the tire! Then the same thing happened on top, on the left side! So the next time yer eye ballin 1, look at where the rear tire cage is welded to the frame n you will be looking at the weakest point, assuming of course that the weakest point being that which fails first. However, if ya wanna build the bikes for the big guys, reinforce that area or do the soft tail conversion. Obviously, done right the soft tail solution will hold up the best, makes it a much softer ride as well! However, I don't believe anybody has yet to put a kit together for a soft tail OCC, so you will hafta get creative, and unless yer a math whiz and know the formulas for the angles, and the spring compression ratios, there will be trial and error! I will give you a hint though, I tried to reinvent the wheel,* and I don't have the slightest clue as to the formulas, but after 2 different theories failed, I was scratchin my head thinkin hmmmm??? Then I looked over at my full suspension mountain bike.......hadn't tried that yet! But sure enough, 3rd time is a charm!

* You know if you go with rear suspension you are going to have to figure something out for a really well built spring chain tensioner.* Otherwise you will never keep the right tension on the drive chain. It will not stay on.* John

The Newbie! · #9 07-13-2009, 01:35 AM

Good point, check out Brettmavrik's bike, he has it figured out! How useful this forum has been! I still don't quite know how his suspension works, seems backwards to me too, like somebody else said in his "orange coast chopper build" thread, but if it works it works! Anyway, like so many other things on his build ya gotta check out his whole chain tensioning deal he's got going on! If ya do it like he's done it, it makes sense.

BrettMavriK · #10 08-27-2009, 01:26 AM

The Derailleur IS the tensioner. =-]'
Those other tensioners just keep the chain from jumping around.