| Removable bottom bar (seen immediately below the tan casting) acts as a bumper to protect the jet engine. |
4d. Final Frame Welding
Here the frame has been removed and Chip Bassett completes all TIG (Tungsten Inert Gas) welding of the Chrome-Moly joints. The frame as shown weighs 46 pounds. The original Jet Bike frame alone weighed 120 pounds. When finished with extra diagonal bracing and all accessories, we expect the F-18 Jet Bike gross frame weight to be less than 60 pounds.
Chip in action!
| The forward jet engine mounts are fixed. | The aft engine floating mount restrains the engine from any up/down or left/right motion, but allows the engine to "grow" in length as it gets hot inside (thermal expansion). |
Removable bottom bar (seen immediately below the tan casting) acts as a bumper to protect the jet engine.
