How to Build a Tall Bike

Are you tired of your bike? Does it seem a little bland, humdrum, run-of-the-mill? No problem. Make it taller. You can do it, and this eHow can help. Read on.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

1. Find two bikes. Any bike will do for the bottom half. For the top, use a bike that is in pretty good condition. You need a steel seat post that will fit the bike on the bottom, a normal brake cable for the front, an extra long brake cable for the rear, and handle bar and stem that can reach up to 28 to 32 inches, two side cranks that match closely, and gear cables that are extra long.
2. Break down the bike that will be used on the top. Strip it down to the frame. Cut off the rear triangle of the top bike. Cut off the down tube and the top tube. Leave the seat tube so that a smaller triangle remains.
3. Remove the steel seat post from the bottom bike, take off the seat, and take off the tip. Cut a slot where the chainstays bridge. Place the chainstays bridge in the slots, and center it. Tack it in place with a MIG welder.
4. Put the seat post on the bottom bike. The fit should be a little snug. Make certain the post is straight, and clamp it in place. The brackets of the two bikes that are becoming one tall bike should line up.
5. Take out the fork from the front portion of the top bike. Remove the brakes. What remains of the top bike will become the wishbone stay for the new tall bike. Place the fork beside the triangle that remains of the top bike, and overlap the steering tube with the seat cluster. The blades should be pointing to the drop outs of the bottom bike. Mark the angle at which you will need to cut the steer tube so the seat tube will fit. Also measure where you'll need cut the seat stays so that they butt against the fork blades.
6. Cut the steerer tube from the fork at the angle you marked. Also cut off the fork ends, the seat stays, and the chain stays from the top bike. Place the fork on the seat tube, and adjust it until it fits well and is even. Create a long chain that runs from the top and bottom hangers. The derailleur will act as the tensioner.
7. Attach the seat stays to the bottom bike via the rack mounts. Cut the seat stays from each other, remove the rack mount threads. Tack the top of the ends to the fork blade to form the seat stays. Create handlebars with four bolt clamp stems with ape hangers. The rise stem can be 18 inches with 14 inch ape hangers. Hook up the brakes, and braze all of the joints. Take out the flex with rebar struts.
8. Take your new tall bike out for a spin and have fun!