Frame made from a chain ?

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I have been tossing this around in my head for a project for a up coming mini bike frame. So here's the question do you think a chain can be welded strong enough to be as strong as a mild steel tubing for a mini bike frame? P.s I like to ride my creations tooWill   Supports Autism Awareness                            My ToysBobCat 225 PLusMillermatic 130Miller Spectrum 300 CutmateEverlast Power Tig 185 Micro April is Autism Month .
Reply:I would not jump it.
Reply:Look up Indian Larry chain frame bike. Attached Images
Reply:Originally Posted by jag8243Look up Indian Larry chain frame bike.
Reply:Originally Posted by Steelwilldo you think a chain can be welded strong enough to be as strong as a mild steel tubing for a mini bike frame?
Reply:i welded chain once for a card table thought it would be cool it was just some chain laying around the motor pool welded it in to a frame legs and all.... it "LOOKED" really cool we played cards on it once some one stood up bumped the table and down she came....i was a private so i probably didnt pay a whole lot  of a tention to how the welds were going in but still that was just cards and a few beers on top with some plywood
Reply:Indian Larry died when his frame failed.
Reply:Originally Posted by nikodellIndian Larry died when his frame failed.
Reply:Originally Posted by jag8243Look up Indian Larry chain frame bike.
Reply:Originally Posted by weldermikeHe was a junkie for most of his life, and I bet that frame got heat treated by a professinal since discovery was paying for it after it was welded together.  Not a fan of drug addicts, I had dealings with the guy, TV can make anybody famous.
Reply:.............Last edited by nikodell; 02-23-2013 at 07:13 PM.
Reply:Originally Posted by SteelwillYou have to say drug addict or not the man was creative.
Reply:Not asking Soo you say that chain frame was heat treated?Will   Supports Autism Awareness                            My ToysBobCat 225 PLusMillermatic 130Miller Spectrum 300 CutmateEverlast Power Tig 185 Micro April is Autism Month .
Reply:All i'm gonna say is there was alot more people involved than people would like to believe. Talented, sure no doubt, but don't believe anything you hear and half of what you see! I hate being bi-polar it's awsomeMy Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys
Reply:I think he crashed a bike while standing on the seat and riding and died.  I guess the could of had a head rush when  welded chain link frame snapped resulting in him crashing to his death.
Reply:Alright mike back on subject, you think I will achieve my goal by heat treating the frame?Will   Supports Autism Awareness                            My ToysBobCat 225 PLusMillermatic 130Miller Spectrum 300 CutmateEverlast Power Tig 185 Micro April is Autism Month .
Reply:Originally Posted by woodtick007I think he crashed a bike while standing on the seat and riding and died.  I guess the could of had a head rush when  welded chain link frame snapped resulting in him crashing to his death.
Reply:Originally Posted by woodtick007I think he crashed a bike while standing on the seat and riding and died.  I guess the could of had a head rush when  welded chain link frame snapped resulting in him crashing to his death.
Reply:Seems this thread "may" be off track a touchI would not be afraid to ride a mini bike I welded out of chain.  I would use normal grade chain so I don't have to worry about using any special welding wire or rod.I would not use high grade chain since I don't know about heat treating stuff.Dave J.Dave J.Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~ Syncro 350Invertec v250-sThermal Arc 161 and 300MM210DialarcTried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
Reply:Well I picked up some 3/8 chain. I forgot what the tensile strength of it was but goin to experiment with it will keep you all posted.Will   Supports Autism Awareness                            My ToysBobCat 225 PLusMillermatic 130Miller Spectrum 300 CutmateEverlast Power Tig 185 Micro April is Autism Month .
Reply:3/8" sounds pretty small to meWelding/Fab Pics: www.UtahWeld.com
Reply:Originally Posted by MikeGyver3/8" sounds pretty small to me
Reply:Actually, Grade 70 5/16" is the normal for most static loads, at least normal loads being pulled by 1/2 to 1 ton trucks.  3/8" is way more than you would need with most loads, unless you were using a low grade chain.  I know G70 5/16" has a WLL of around 5400lbs, so four points of attachment with appropriate binders would net over 21k pounds.  If I remember DOT regs correctly, binding equipment has to equal half the rated weight of the secured item, so G70 5/16 should (theoretically) hold 42k pounds per DOT requirements.  I'm not sure where 3/8" would even be needed for most normal loads, at least until you start talking about possibly medium duty trucks and semis with lowboys.
Reply:tensile strength of a chain would have almost nothing to do with the strength of a chassis made from welded chain....--------------------------------------------------------------www.becmotors.nlyup, I quit welding.. joined welder anonymous
Reply:Buy about 20 feet of 3/8 round stock.  Cut it into pieces and lay it out in the shape of a mini bike frame.  Ask yourself if you'd be willing to put your rear end on top of it.  In all honesty, even THAT would be safer, as it would bend, not just break at the weld and fold freely in half.  Even the bike depicted above has its primary members made of round tube.  This one falls into the no f'ing way category.This is the frame design if this will help with the mental picture. An old school Ruttman frame, I am thing of this for an up coming show. But like I said I don't build trailer queens I would like to ride it also.Will   Supports Autism Awareness                            My ToysBobCat 225 PLusMillermatic 130Miller Spectrum 300 CutmateEverlast Power Tig 185 Micro April is Autism Month .
Reply:Uhm, Will. I dont think anybody would call you a trailor queen if you put your MINI BIKE! in the back of your truck  Only kiddin with ya bud! Could'nt resist there Loyd Christmas! Oh i'm crackin myself up. Sorry for that one too, cheers bud I hate being bi-polar it's awsomeMy Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys
Reply:Originally Posted by weldermikeUhm, Will. I dont think anybody would call you a trailor queen if you put your MINI BIKE! in the back of your truck  Only kiddin with ya bud! Could'nt resist there Loyd Christmas! Oh i'm crackin myself up. Sorry for that one too, cheers bud
Reply:I know bro, just haveing fun, gonna be sweet i'm sure! I'm just as guilty myself with the stuff I help the kids with  I hate being bi-polar it's awsomeMy Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys
Reply:Originally Posted by weldermikeI know bro, just haveing fun, gonna be sweet i'm sure! I'm just as guilty myself with the stuff I help the kids with
Reply:Originally Posted by SteelwillWho's helping the kids they have their own toys
Reply:Look at this welded chain setup. Homemade towing rig.[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFOc2tzBFOQ[/ame]
Reply:Originally Posted by cold1Look at this welded chain setup. Homemade towing rig.
Reply:The entire weight of the thing and the huge dynamic stresses from riding it will be channeled into the 2 short straight sides of 3/8" roundbar of the chain links (which will have been mostly un-heat treated from welding). 3/8" diameter roundbar is going to be very easy to bend compared to even a thinwall 3/4" tube.Welding/Fab Pics: www.UtahWeld.com
Reply:Originally Posted by MikeGyverThe entire weight of the thing and the huge dynamic stresses from riding it will be channeled into the 2 short straight sides of 3/8" roundbar of the chain links (which will have been mostly un-heat treated from welding). 3/8" diameter roundbar is going to be very easy to bend compared to even a thinwall 3/4" tube.
Reply:Found some old pictures of my first toy I madeLast edited by Steelwill; 03-01-2013 at 05:20 PM.Will   Supports Autism Awareness                            My ToysBobCat 225 PLusMillermatic 130Miller Spectrum 300 CutmateEverlast Power Tig 185 Micro April is Autism Month .
Reply:Here's the other oneWill   Supports Autism Awareness                            My ToysBobCat 225 PLusMillermatic 130Miller Spectrum 300 CutmateEverlast Power Tig 185 Micro April is Autism Month .
Reply:I can't imagine your gonna be able to get the chain strong enough to build the whole frame out of it.  Twisting the links a little as you weld it might help - so the links cross like this X with 60deg top and bottom and 120deg on the sides, instead of +).  That way you get a little longer weld, and the links are never laying flat.  Still, it seems like it would be good to at least run some tube from the steer tube back past the seat and maybe down to the rear axle.  Then if you ran chain down under the engine and back to the rear axle it wouldn't be under nearly as much stress.
Reply:Originally Posted by ccoggI can't imagine your gonna be able to get the chain strong enough to build the whole frame out of it.  Twisting the links a little as you weld it might help - so the links cross like this X with 60deg top and bottom and 120deg on the sides, instead of +).  That way you get a little longer weld, and the links are never laying flat.  Still, it seems like it would be good to at least run some tube from the steer tube back past the seat and maybe down to the rear axle.  Then if you ran chain down under the engine and back to the rear axle it wouldn't be under nearly as much stress.
Reply:Made up a test piece of chain today. I wish I was still in contact with some of my roush buddies, they had this machine which would Show how many lbs of force it would take to bend the welded chain. But that's ok my son and are gonna have some fun seeing what it takes to bend it.Will   Supports Autism Awareness                            My ToysBobCat 225 PLusMillermatic 130Miller Spectrum 300 CutmateEverlast Power Tig 185 Micro April is Autism Month .
Reply:Hey nice rides, Im a big mini chopper fan aswell. I found a chain frame bike on the youtube. I hope this helps.http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=Nr4fV0wDX2QHow abouts do you keep the length straight Before/when welding? Do you weight the ends to put tension to hold straight? I was going to say, I apologies if this seems a bit straying to you thread OP...   maybe we should have a mini bike/chopper/go kart/ bar stool racer kind of machine, thread going here in the projects section. Alot of us folks like to have fun in other respects, and I think this might be a good thread seeing We already have some members who are into this that i have seen here from other forums and projects shown so far. I my self have quite the project that I built a few years ago, but was kinda reluctant to show it here, seeing how this isnt quit the forum to do so, but am all willing to do so now if there is a interest, Ill even start.. how about it...
Reply:I found the chain that will hold up to the task!
Reply:An anchor chain welded should hold you up.  Attached ImagesAirco Ac/Dc 300 HeliwelderMillerMatic 200 (stolen)Miller Maxstar 150STLMiller AEAD200LE (welding and generating power) Hobart MIG
Reply:Originally Posted by mckutzyHey nice rides, Im a big mini chopper fan aswell. I found a chain frame bike on the youtube. I hope this helps.http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=Nr4fV0wDX2QHow abouts do you keep the length straight Before/when welding? Do you weight the ends to put tension to hold straight? I was going to say, I apologies if this seems a bit straying to you thread OP...   maybe we should have a mini bike/chopper/go kart/ bar stool racer kind of machine, thread going here in the projects section. Alot of us folks like to have fun in other respects, and I think this might be a good thread seeing We already have some members who are into this that i have seen here from other forums and projects shown so far. I my self have quite the project that I built a few years ago, but was kinda reluctant to show it here, seeing how this isnt quit the forum to do so, but am all willing to do so now if there is a interest, Ill even start.. how about it...
Reply:Originally Posted by SquirmyPugAn anchor chain welded should hold you up.