Rail bike conversion finally finished w/pics

mikejken said:
hey guys, I want to build a rail bike. Any kits or pics or bike for sale. I want mine to peddle.

Mike
Click to expand...
Hi Mike,

I have found one set of plans for sale for $25.

Bentley RAILBIKE - railbikes & railbiking
RAILBIKE CONSTRUCTION NOTES
Railbikes and Railbiking Pictures

Bentley railbike can be converted quickly into a conventional bike
for off-rail pedaling. Designer Richard Bentley starts with an old
three-speed ladies-model bike, adds skateboard wheels, bolts, nuts,
washers, springs, steel electrical conduit and other things, costing, into to, about $80. Plans: $20 plus $2 postage ($4 if overseas).

Almost every link is dead. I have not tried to order plans.


Railbike X-8 is a simple, sturdy design that can be built with parts
available from any hardware store for about $100, not counting the bike.
Plans: $10. Contact: Bob Mellin, Railbike International, 1323 San
Anselmo Ave., San Anselmo, Calif. 94960-2244; 415-453-8886;
[email protected].


Update: I sent an email to Bob Mellin, who lives about 5 miles from me. I'll see if the email address is still valid.

Kevin
 
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I'm working on my own design for the front wheel follower using Rollerblade wheels. I'm hoping they won't bounce as much when hitting the gaps in the rails.

If you have any ideas on how to attach poles to the frame, I'm open to new ideas.

Kevin
 
One thing to keep in mind as my own experiences taught me is that the RAIL to RAIL width can and does change depending on how heavy a load is on that portion of rail and how much maintenance was done on it. The piece of rail I use changed aproximately 3 inches total(this is close I can not remember the exact number). Now what that really means to you is plus or minus 1 1/2 of an inch from the normal width, hence I have a 5'' wide roller on the outrigger to compensate for this fact. That is why I cannot rely on a narrow 2'' outrigger wheel as I came off the track at 20mph and let me tell you how much it hurt, total endo, so heed my painfully gotten words/knowledge. In fact research into train tracks says that track width variance is allowed to be in this aproximate value.
 
Hi,

I've taken all of the information you have posted to heart.
Rails can vary from 3" wide to 4" wide.
Tracks can vary in inside to inside width of up to 3".
Older tracks may be in even worse condition.

Outrigger
Either a 5" wide roller for the outrigger wheels or a "floating" spring loaded wheel with side guide wheels seems prudent for the outrigger.

Front wheel
Front wheel guide. I have a bunch of used rollerblade wheels, so I may make a test guide using them. I figure the softer wheels are less likely to bounce. I may buy some lawn mower wheels to keep the front wheel guide from auguring in should the guide jump the track.

Outrigger attachment points and clamps
This is the part that has me stumped the most.
Attachment locations:
Seat post
Kickstand clamp (go down, under the pedals, then over.)
Headset

Then there is clamping to the bike frame.


No reply from Bob Mellin. It's an AOL email address, so it may be dead. I might try calling. It's a local call.
 
Mountain 80


Always looking forward to your post`s and picture`s.

Ron .cvlt1
 

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Kevxr you are on the right track NO pun intended but is humorous to say that, anyways also keep in mind that the actual "railhead" as it is called ALSO varies in width and in my case about 1 3/8'' or so , being why I revamped my front guide system from two skidoo bogies to a V roller that compensates for width by moving up and down varying contact with the flanks of the V. If you walk a worn track notice on the curves where the actual wear is as the radius that is worn into the railhead actual decreases the working width. It took my till the 3rd try to redo the v roller to accomodate this fact. Keep up the effort as I myself have a 20 mile trip planned this spring.

Cheers
 
Thanks for the leads! I'll do some research later.
I've been trying to refine the design a bit before I start building.
 
Ok all so it took me awhile to say the least BUT... I DID do a 36 km round trip on the railway this Spring. Sorry It took sooooooo long to get back to the forums but the oilfield is busy !!! I have pics AND video clip but they are in a quicktime(apple) format so I will start to post soon for all that are interested!!!!!!
 
Hey Mt. Good to see ya back. I was just at Fox's rally and was talking about your build and this thread. Uber cool and looking forward to the vid.
 
Heres the pics to start and thx for the compliment! The videos will come in awhile once I figure out where and how to post them.
 

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Kevinlinken, I am not able to machine these due to life etc at this time. I may be able to in the future and can keep you posted as such.

Cheers.
 
Thanks for the great presentation, mountain80 !
What you have posted here is as good or better than all the other info I have searched out over the last number of days on the web.

This is the only possible contribution I might be able to make for those considering a flanged roller.

p1b.jpg


I found it with an image search on 'boat trailer roller'.

....there are also 'straight rollers' made of urethane which just might be great for FD motorized bicycles!

I am taking very careful note of your 4" advisory for the outrigger roller !
Rails, and also the ties are really hard!
..that's the scary part, for me! There will be no sliding in a fall, just tumbling.

Best
rc

BTW, I found this one to be fun...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vscUcqrwQ98&list=UUIJpLoMdXQQk8zAWOsoaDTg&feature=c4-overview


rail, railroad, track, tracks, railbike, railroadbike, railcycle, railcar
.
 
This video was filmed on the preserved railway line not far from where I live.
This all that remains of the once extensive network of branchlines in our district. The station in the town where I live was named Paeroa Junction. Our town was once an important hub in the historic railway network around here. The station building that can be seen in the video is the former Paeroa Junction station building which was moved to its new location so at least that piece of history has survived.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZtGzAsSAxo0
 
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