Weekend functional art project, copper basket/rack
 

I couldn't find a good front rack that didn't get in the way of my dynamo-powered headlight (connecting to the upper fork and handlebars instead of to the fender bracket), so I made one from leftover copper pipe and fittings. It's strong, fairly lightweight and would probably have cost $40-$50 if I didn't already have most of the copper.

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...e6ea0f3839.jpg
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...a119e33587.jpg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...b5fec348c3.jpg
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...6449c1a567.jpg

Neat. I borrowed a hedge trimmer from a pal several years ago and he apologized for the broken loop handle that was supposed to go over the top of the unit so I whipped one up from 1/2" copper. Made it much easier to use and impressed the hell out of him when I returned it.

Very nice!
Next you'll have to take up wicker work so you can make a basket to fit in that frame.
Brent

I've decided to just run some perpendicular lines of bailing wire to create a basket.

Very nice! What made you decide to use copper? And do you know what it weighs?

I was looking for a good front rack and none of them fit my needs and had everything I wanted so I started thinking of making my own. The main thing is that most of them sit low on the front wheel and would block my wired headlight. I had already used copper before to create a picture rail for hanging musical instruments and art, so I had some left over. As well, I was gifted a box of fittings and various short lengths of pipe from my local Buy Nothing Facebook group. I like the look of copper and even more when it patinas.

Basically, I keep everything in my garage and try not to throw anything away. When I need so buy something, I first walk around in there and think of ways to build it. We, our society, buy and waste too much s**t.

I figure it weighs roughly the same as the typical front racks and baskets I see on amazon that are made out of solid aluminum. Copper isn't that heavy and these are hollow pipes, after all. I'd guess 4-5 lbs, altogether.

I still have a little work to do. The fork screws need to be changed out for stainless ones so there's no galvanic corrosion between the copper and the steel. Also, I need to put tape between the copper and the aluminum fork for the same reasons. The bailing wire that I mentioned will also have to be stainless.

Use gimp, the stuff we made lanyards out of at summer camp.
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/d5/71...aed0bc18c1.jpg

Hot and cold running water would be nice on a bike ride. Interesting very interesting

You should hunt this guy down to work on getting your bike to match:
https://www.bikeforums.net/road-cycl...rbea-orca.html

Nice work -- it would have matched my old copper-plated Bergmeister!

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...2229b7ee67.jpg

That's really nifty. Necessity is the mother of invention. But the title of the thread says "basket" and there is no bottom to it and items would fall through. Are you going to put a mesh bottom on it or something similar?

with your skills you could probably fabricate a moonshine still

I think you missed a post above.

It looks heavy, but I'm sure it's not nearly as heavy as it looks.

confirms what I’ve long asserted, that plumbing is an art :thumb:

All that nicely-sweated copper pipe and no valves?

That reminds me. I need a new water heater.

Now someone's going to steal your bike for the copper scrap. :lol:

When I progressed down that route years ago I ran into a poor balance between weight and rigidity. The plumbing pipes are optimized for different purpose. Thinking harder, stainless steel can be soldered nearly as easily as copper, but sleeves for joints may be harder to get. Thinking further, while the soldered sleeve joints provide flexibility for a home brewer they will be adding weight over welds as a matter of principle.