7x14 to 7x16 Rebuild

[SouthernChap]

Soooo many words…..

The Horror……The Horror…..

Yeah, my bad. Talking about, and exploring the "Whys and wherefores" can be useful in this sort of thread but this has got out of hand.

 

[RaisedByWolves]

Yeah, my bad. Talking about, and exploring the "Whys and wherefores" can be useful in this sort of thread but this has got out of hand.

Just messing with ya.

I thought getting out of hand is what the thread was about.

 

[SouthernChap]

I thought getting out of hand is what the thread was about.

Every now and then, you reveal to the members of this forum that you're not a grumpy old bastard, but actually a man of quite refined and nuanced humour!

That was really rather clever and subtle. I thoroughly applaud you, fine sir.

 

[RaisedByWolves]

Every now and then, you reveal to the members of this forum that you're not a grumpy old bastard, but actually a man of quite refined and nuanced humour!

That was really rather clever and subtle. I thoroughly applaud you, fine sir.

****! It was a mistake I assure you.

 

[GrifterGuru]

When I said 'sanest course' I meant most sensible, given the space you have; I wasn't referring to mental health (maintenance of such or otherwise)

I am aware of that, but also mental sanity does come into question given the costs involved. That the 7x platform, to many, would not seem worth the effort or money actually does raise the mental sanity of it.

Last I looked it was somewhere near £1800 not including an ELS so far and that could have been used on a different, better machine.

 

[SouthernChap]

I am aware of that, but also mental sanity does come into question given the costs involved. That the 7x platform, to many, would not seem worth the effort or money actually does raise the sanity of it.

Last I looked it was somewhere near £1800 not including an ELS so far and that could have been used on a different, better machine.

Yeah but given that even if you had a US sized workshop, you'd likely take on this kind of project anyway and you appear to relish the challenge of getting the last ounce of capability (and there's a fair bit more capability to squeeze out than many who are happy to provide the 'standard received wisdom' about mini lathes allow) out of such an unlikely candidate, I'm not your sanity needs to be questioned.

The way you talk, it all seems more about the journey than the destination and that's perfectly rational.

Now, the fact that you actually enjoy riding a Raleigh Chopper though...that's as good a reason as any, to call upon the "danger to themselves and/or others" part of Section 2 of the 1983 Mental Health Act!

 

[GrifterGuru]

Yeah but given that even if you had a US sized workshop, you'd likely take on this kind of project anyway and you appear to relish the challenge of getting the last ounce of capability (and there's a fair bit more capability to squeeze out than many who are happy to provide the 'standard received wisdom' about mini lathes allow) out of such an unlikely candidate, I'm not your sanity needs to be questioned.

I would always willingly take on a project like this if the resources to finish it were there and my skills would allow it, otherwise I would walk away and leave well alone. Yes, I enjoy the challenge of proving that something can be done with that others would define as scrap metal.

Heck, I have taken on bikes with such damaged frames that most would scrap them and rebuilt them to "as new" just to prove it can be done, which has become somewhat of the normal thing for me these days. You need to see the frame I have just taken on... Man is it bent! By the time I finish with it, it will look like nothing ever happened to it. It is in MK at the moment with a friend. Since I will be in the area soon, I will grab a photo for you.

The way you talk, it all seems more about the journey than the destination and that's perfectly rational.

This lathe project is not about the journey. It is more about pushing understanding of the patform beyond what is considered the "accepted limit" in terms of capability and usability yet doing so by going in a different direction to what most would consider "normal".

Lateral thinking forms part of that process. It is a key skill that is somewhat uncommon in todays world but it is with that very skill that many things can be achieved which others would consider not possible. My mantra? "there is no such word as "impossible" only a series of challenges to overcome (Within reason!)"

Now, the fact that you actually enjoy riding a Raleigh Chopper though...that's as good a reason as any, to call upon the "danger to themselves and/or others" part of Section 2 of the 1983 Mental Health Act!

If you "know how to ride" a bike properly, maintain it as it should be and understand the handling, the only "risk" to it is in the way you ride and the risk posed by outside forces. I can also say from experience that at 48.6mph (qualified via GPS and a radar gun) a Raleigh Chopper that is perfectly maintained is exceptionally stable and easy to handle, even with a slick rear tyre. No bike I ride ever goes anywhere unless I am satisfied it is 100% to my own (high) standard of maintenance and function.

I, honestly, have more worry over "plastic fantastic" (AKA Carbon Fibre) bikes myself. No crash worthiness whatsoever given they just break up whereas steel bends and absorbs the shock loads leaving a tell in the material as to the forces involved.