How To Make A Bike Frame

If you don't want to purchase a new bike or you can't find a frame that you like, you may want to learn how to make a bike frame. Making a bike frame is actually much easier than it sounds. All you need is some basic equipment and creativity and you'll have an original bike frame in no time.

To make a bike frame, you will need:

• 6061 steel tubing
• Welding equipment
• A sand blaster
• Paint
• A hand-held grinder
• An old box, newspaper or large sheets of paper

1. The first step is to choose a design that you like. You will need to take measurements, and it is best to do this by measuring a bike that has a shape you like. You can modify the measurements as you deem necessary, but for your first bike it may be easiest to stick with another bike frame's measurements.
2. Trace the bike frame that has the design you like best. You can do this on old pieces of cardboard, newspaper or paper taped together.
3. Purchase tubing of the desired length or cut the tubes yourself. Lay the tubes down on the stencil you made by tracing the bike frame.
   
4. Use your welding equipment to fuse the frame together. You should move in a clockwise direction around the frame while welding. Check the alignment of the tubes and re-weld any sections that seem poorly-aligned.
   
5. Use the hand grinder and sand blaster to create a smooth surface. Paint your bike frame by starting with a coat of primer, then a color, and then a sealant. Congratulations, you've successfully made a bike frame!