Frank The Welder Frame FTW

[theproscloset]

This bike came into our shop randomly and we have not been able to find much for info on it.

The owner bought it on Craigslist a long time ago and doesn't remember any history on it as well.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-FTW-Mou ... 58b5ccb7d8

 

[pete_mcc]

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Like a prettier cross between a Cannondale and a Rotwild (but with more of the decent build quality of the Rotty rather than the dale..)

 

[theproscloset]

I connected this AM with Frank and am hoping he can dig up some details on the frame and it's history.... I will update here if I hear anything that sheds any light on the backstory.

 

[theproscloset]

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Just heard back from Frank and this was his exact response:

I am trying to figure out what it is. I did make it and a long time ago. It looks like Pacific cycles in China got a hold of one also. I think I have seen a few million like it.

 

[CTK]

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Anyone want to make a guess at how much travel? 40mm?

I like it- and remember those Rotwilds getting some good reviews BITD

 

[theproscloset]

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A customer of ours got this response when he asked Frank about it directly:

"Paul, I don't remember making it but it is clearly my work. Two things jump out at me. 1) it's ugly. 2) Either I copied the Pacific cycles "walmart bike" or they copied mine. Can you imagine if I got one penny for each of those made?

As far as it's history, my most wild guess is that it was a prototype I made and it ended up in the hands of a purchasing agent that worked for Bell sports that I only know as "Bob" at this point. Bell sports owned the Mongoose brand at the time. My business partner Greg conspired with Bob on a couple of other "pet projects" that were about on the same level so it would be no surprise if it were the truth but the fact is I really don't know anything about it.

Regards, Frank"

 

[pete_mcc]

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One thing, that headtube looks bizarrely short. How do forks fit, any clearance at all?

 

[beepbeep]

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"1) it's ugly.

 

[theproscloset]

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More info from Frank on the frame, I'll reply when we get some more info and take the measurements he is looking for:

Nick, one thing that I thought of, I was wondering about the thread on the pivot bolt. I used to use fractional (US) bolts on a lot of things back in those days and if it's not Metric it's my work for sure. I looked to see if I had dropouts like those but couldn't find any. It was a couple years before I started with computers and CAD drawing so I wouldn't have any old files. I think this was made while I was making lots of amplifier frames and uses the same housing stops, BB, head tube and material dimensions.

I had some plastic bushings made at the time and used them on a bunch of prototypes. I found a couple of them as well as what I think is the same type pivot bolt. It has the letter "L" stamped in the head and the thread is 3/8-16. the pivot pin should be about 15.3mm in diameter, you may have to press it out a bit to get an accurate measurement.

Frank

 

[theproscloset]

Our response to Frank... the info measures up with what Frank recalls!

Hey Frank,

Attached is the pivot bolt... Not sure what the pitch is exactly, we don't have thread pitch guide currently in American.. Definitely not metric.

Measures 19.6mm across the head, 25.1mm in length and 9.4mm on the treading with.

Stamped on the head looks like a "S" with a 10 and 9 ... a bit rusty....

No plastic bushings are evident

Hope this helps, and thanks for your help.