I been enjoying the heck out of my catrike 700. So I am finally getting around to my vb-218 build finally.
I found a big issue... The front derailleur hanger was not correctly affixed to the frame... It wasn't shifting even before I put a chain on for the first time. I havent even rode it! I noticed the front detailler was loose. and the rivets weren't properly installed. also there was a lack of epoxy as well. So I set out to fix that. Drilled out the rivets. Make sure you tape around the area to prevent scratching the paint. I didn't do that. there are a few scratches... grrr.
So I masked out the area to sand that the epoxy was going to touch to improve adhesion. I then used 1000 grit I should have used like 380 or 250 grit... I ended up also using a hobby file to get those rough spots like I would get with 250 grit. Just use 250... maybe even 180. If you hit carbon thats too far. its easy to go right through the carbon.
While sanding away... you will have some feathering because of the height in the tape. see pic. Now just some IP alcohol to remove any oils and improve adhesion.
Once you prepped it, You are all ready to for the epoxy. I also sanded and used the file on the derailed hanger. I pre inserted 2 rivets for alinement... only thing to do is mix the epoxy and slap some on.... then put the two rivets in the holes on the frame...
Put the derailleur hanger on the frame with the two rivets to use as a placement guide and insert the remaining rivets before you actually set them.
DO NOT use the rivet gun til all the rivets are placed!!!!
Once all of the rivets are the holes THEN use the rivet gun to set them. then wipe away the extra epoxy that squeezes out with paper towels. wait about 18 hr if you have the 5 min epoxy. I am waiting a few days to make sure it has hardened before I install the derailleur.
BTW if you have any questions. please ask away.
