Archive for November, 2007

Ok, so yesterday was the last Monster 2 class and we have some great machines:

Here’s Tab working on some bling for his bike:

This is Sara bending and brazing some flames:

And here’s Samantha getting the wheels ready for her lightning bike:

And yesterday we got them all rolling! Here’s Sara on her complete bike:

Jorge made an extra-long chopper fork out of 3 (count ’em) forks:

And this is Dylan on his extra-long chopper. We started with the crazy long fork, but found that it would wheelie unless he made the wheelbase longer by welding another bike frame to the back:

And here it is in action:

So keep your eyes peeled around Providence for these great bikes!

Ok. I probably should build some Circle A’s now huh…

For the last few weeks I’ve been working on another round of Monster Bikes at the Steel Yard. This time we’re doing it a bit differently; whereas in Monster One (detailed below) we harnessed the creative energies of six high school students to create one monstrous collaborative creation, this time each student is working on their own bike – the idea being that if they build it, they’ll be more likely to ride it.

We started with the rudiments of shaping, grinding, torch cutting and mig welding steel; and then we have them put those skills to work to breathe life into their ideas.

This is Rory test riding his prone recumbent:

The next step is figuring out how to support his weight. A harness he hangs from? A pillow mounted to a ribcage of old rims? We shall see.

This is Adam, my co-conspirator, discussing fork design with Jorge:

And here is Dylan with a mock-up of his chopper:

Watch this space for pictures of Sara, Samantha’s and Tab’s bikes!