Hi there

I wam building a Monopin inspired single seat hillclimb special. powered by a honda vtr1000. my main hurdel at the moment is figuring out how I could bend a curve with a 186mm radius into a 1600 long by 500 long sheet of 1.2mm aluminium.

any advide would be great

As per the book? If I remember correctly, they put a pipe (around 100mm diameter) on two stands, and just bend the ali around it.

I can think of numerous variations on this method. Around a fence-pole for example.

You can make a model to check if you have the correct radius.

Good Morning, I think maartenromijn is absolutely right with his method if you don't have access to slip bending rolls. You can make a T dolly using steel tube of the correct diameter and tap the aluminium round using a wooden slapper or flipper evenly a bit at a time along its length.

You have not mentioned what grade of aluminium you are planning to use but I would suggest pure aluminium our grade 1050A being the easiest to form.

I'd be very interested to see some pictures as you progress with the project.

atb

John

If you don't have bending tools, round a telegraph pole or something similar using ratchet straps should get you close

cheers fellas

might try the power pole idea, being 1600 long it is

the progress is very slow, but I could post a few photos later

when I made my bonnet for my locost I created two wooden templates and formed the sheet around them this does allow you to peen the ends over giving some additional rigidity.

prior to doing thi I rooled the front edge by follding it over a 1 meter alluminium ruler giving a double skin this also helped the rigidity