This picture shows Fat bastards frame. It is simply a Trek 24" bike fork that I modified to suit a set of pillow blocks. I welded a pair of 3/16" plates on the bottom of the legs so that the pressed steel pillow blocks wouldnt bend too much. It was suprisingly effective, if not a tad (read a lot) on the heavy side. I also had to remove the steering tube. To do this, I ground out the weld on the inside of the tube, and hit it about a thousand times. It eventually came out, but I wont say it wasnt a struggle!
If you look closely, you may be able to see the bashed-in bits on the insides of the legs, right where it is bent. I had to do this so that my Nokian Gazzaloddi would fit without touching. It actually fits without it, if you make the tubes longer, but I found it easier to hit it. I did it by laying the frame on a sand bag and hitting it with a reaction rivet gun with a long mushroom snap. Took a bit of hitting too! This also works with a united type unicycle, but the biggest tyre you will get to fit without flattening the tubes is a 2.5" tyre. I did it with Mikey's frame and made a Specialized Big Hit Pro 2.5 fit quite nicely.
Note the seat mount. I made it myself out of 3/16" plate. I have since discovered that .160" mild steel if easily sufficient. I was going to use 1/8" (.125") material, but material availability played a big part. I made it a bit longer than standard too, so that I can get a wider range of adjustment out of it. Lucky I did too, because the way I used to like my seat has changed and I need the travel.
After all the effort I went into making Fat Bastard, it has now been retired. I no longer use it and it sits forlornly in my garage. Its a cheapish way to make your own unicycle, but I have a much better way now. If you want anymore info on this project or any others email me and I will endeavour to get you the details. |
