Setting up shop: Jamison's Framebuild #1

Alas, some crude shots of mitering and filing the tubes for Jamison's South Side Single Speed:

Finally, a heated space to work in the winter! I'm stoked to be working with Alex of Prairie Crow; he's mastering the torch, and doing a great job of it from what I can see.

The mill is set up for mitering tubes at a good pace, and the jig helps with putting everything together. Starting with the seat tube, the whole front triangle is mitered and fit together. The next step steps are to miter and fit the rear triangle, shore up the head and seat tubes, then drill some breather holes before welding.


We are working out of the Real Resources building next to the Midtown Greenway and Brackett park in S. MPLS. Feel free to email or call to set up a visit or appointment for designing yer next bike!

Finishing Bike Racks for May Day Cafe

   Here's a few shots of the bike racks that I designed and fabricated

for the May Day Cafe. Long have they needed more bike parking, with only a few bikes fitting on the awkward wave racks that are so popularly marketed as useful for 6-8 bikes. People have been locking up to any random object in the area, even blocking the walkway to the neighbors' house.

   These four mug shaped racks will easily hold at least 8 bikes, two on each side, with even more room if you are buddying up. Also, you should be able to get a bike with a trail a bike or trailer on the end.

   Long have they needed more bike parking, with only a few bikes fitting on the awkward wave racks that are so popularly marketed as useful for 6-8 bikes. People have been locking up to any random object in the area, even blocking the walkway to the neighbors' house.

   These for racks will easily hold at least 8 bikes, two on each side,

with even more room if you are buddying up. Also, you should be able to get a bike with a trail a bike or trailer on the end.

  We're finishing the installation this week, after they all get back from Anthony (AP Paints) so check back for shots of the final result. Oh, and stop by for some coffee and a croissant and see'em up close!

Currently designing a winter specific frame! Details to come...

Jams Trailer: Final Photos with the tray and bin

Jamison's Trailer: Painted and ready to go!

   Jamison brought me a trailer much like the one you see here except it was broken, rust stained, and just plain worn-out. The hitch was busted, the welds were separating, and the wheels were shot. He asked me if I could build him a custom trailer that was similar, yet could stand up to an urban beating and an extended cross country tour. I said let's do it.

   We spent awhile mulling over the details and finally put together a heavy-duty steel frame,  complete with hand cut 1018 steel dropout and stainless steel hardware, suitable for both. The wheels were custom built at the HUB Bike Co-op by Toast; super heavy duty Sun Ryno Lite rims with super low resistance hubs.

   The trailer is fairly heavy weight wise, but it floats like a feather.  It uses a Burley square tube flex fitting and is currently attached to a classic Burley triangle hitch.

   We may add a middle support for gear or a couple of light mounts and bungee hooks, but this is the completed basic frame. I will certainly post pictures of any mods.

   Interested in a custom trailer for yourself?

   blackshipcycles[at]gmail[dot]com

Jams Trailer pt 3: Custom Dropouts Tacked

  Although customizing gives room for artistic freedom, I decided that I had to make the dropouts simple, in keeping with the straight-forward, heavy duty, utilitarian style of the trailer; i.e. simple and sturdy matches the aesthetic.

   I handcrafted the custom heavy duty dropouts out of a high carbon cold rolled 1018 5/16" rod stock steel, and tacked them in. It took a lot of heat to get those to melt, but they are taking well. Next I'll run the finish welds and drill the hitch arm out for bolts.

   We still haven't decided on the final paint job, but that should come this weekend. stay tuned...

Jams Trailer Pt. 2

    Most of the welds are done, the next steps are to cut drill out and bolt on the hitch arm, and get some 1018 steel and cut some custom dropouts.

   We're debating powder coat or spray lacquer, depending on what fits in the budget. stay tuned for custom dropouts and painting..!