'99 Rocket Project

[jimali]

I have a new project bike in the works now that the '05 Speed is done.
I picked up this Rocket locally as a project bike, in pieces, obviously needing work.
The bike's been stripped down to the frame and the frame parts are at the powder coater right now.
So, while I'm waiting I thought I'd start this thread.
Here's a couple of photos of the frame condition.

[trikebldr]

It's not often that we get to see a frame in it's bare essentials! Now, the Rocket shows a good example of true triangulation used to it's best advantage. So simple and so rigid!

Has anybody else owned/ridden one of these? Are they as stiff as they appear to be?

Jim, what wheel configuration is this? Adjustable boom, or sliding seat?

[John Rooker]

Here's one in street Clothes:

[jimali]

this one's a sliding seat.
I'm planning on using dual 451 wheels, originally 406's,
assuming the previous owner can find them.

[trikebldr]

Jim, if it came with 406's, are you sure your brakes will have enough pad movement to accomodate 451's? I tried to install my 451 from my '07 Speed on the rear of my Roadster, and it won't allow me to use the brakes that are on it. Also, my fork doesn't have near enough room for a 451.

Here's a pic of my Actionbent Roadster that I "stole" from Gabe about two years ago! Thanks, Gabe!!! It looks a lot like that Rocket, except the Roadster has rear suspension. I run a 38/50/60 triple with the 11-32 cassette, and wish I had room for the Capreo-hubbed 451. It's a lot faster than my Speeds!

[jimali]

Bruce,  I don't know yet.   I know the wheels will fit.  I am awaiting some Avid Single Digit 7's from Greg.
Once I get the frame back and all the pieces I will test fit parts.  I may need to research other brakes to find the 406-451 fit I want.  I would like the option of switching between fat tired 406's and skinnier tired 451's.

[John Rooker]

The Paul MotoLite or MotoBMX may have the adjustment range you need..






http://www.paulcomp.com/motobmx.html

[jimali]

John,  Thanks.   I've looked at those, but, would like to avoid that cost.

[trikebldr]

Those are sweet! I was thinking of something similar, or possibly finding something that will lend itself to a small amount of machine work to give a new pad mounting position.

On my first homebuilt I have some Odyssey BMX brakes, that offer about 1-1/2" of pad travael up and down. They are kinda bulky looking in a box-beam shape, but could be machined for another 1/2" of travel. For that matter, their basic shape and dimensions would be easy to duplicate in whatever pad position you need.

It's a steel frame, right? What about some discs? That would be a no-brainer to do. Aw, come on, Jim. Let me put discs on it for ya! Ya know ya want 'em!

[jimali]

Bruce - disks would have been a good idea had it come up before the frame went to the painter.
However, I'm just trying to do a better than average rebuild here, not build a premium bike.

[jimali]

OK, guys, I need some suggestions.
The Single Digits that Greg sent do not have enough pad adjustment to accommodate my switch from 406 ("1.5 wheels") to 451 ("1-3/8 wheels") wheels (or 26" to 700c wheels). 
I see the Paul makes some, for $125 per wheel, and LDC does also, for about $90 per.
Surely there's a less expensive alternative, and some one here knows what that is.

[John Rooker]

Can you use road style brakes instead of canti's?

http://www.biketiresdirect.com/product/tektro-r730-long-reach-brake-calipers

[jimali]

no, no mounting points on frame for canti's

[John Rooker]

no, no mounting points on frame for canti's

The Rockets came with V-Brakes, so there must be canti pivots..but that wasn't' my question.. Lightning has used a road brake on the front of the P-38.  I was wondering if a road brake would work on the Rocket.

[jimali]

I'll have to admit a vagueness in brake terminology.
from Sheldon:
Brake
    Caliper, Cantilever, Centerpull, Coaster, Direct Pull, Disc, Double pivot, Drum, Dual pivot, Roller, Rollercam, Roller lever, Sidepull, Single pivot, Spoon, "V-Brake" ®:
Cantilever Brake
    A cantilever brake has two separate arms, or cantilevers, one on each side of the rim. Each arm has pivots on an independent boss, and the two arms are usually coordinated and linked by a transverse (or straddle or crossover) cable that runs above the top of the tire. The transverse cable is commonly connected to the main brake cable by a yoke. In some newer designs, the end of the main cable becomes half of the transverse cable, and a short link wire forms the other half. For details on cantilevers, see my article on Cantilever Geometry

    A recent variation on cantilever brakes is the V brake, which dispenses with the transverse cable altogether. This was adopted for mountain bikes because the transverse cable could snag on a knobby tire if the main cable broke --often resulting in a serious crash.

So, this frame is set up for Cantilever/V-brake.

However, my front fork has a central mounting hole that looks like it could accept a "canti", as in your link,
not so in the rear. the one hole there doesn't look like it's designed for brake forces.
It's in a frame cross brace, drilled for fenders, etc.