One set of stays clamped with fresh epoxy resin and one behind cured and ready for shaping.
After the initial cure to solid, it takes a further two days for the epoxy to properly cure to full strength, and I resisted the temptation to start early, just. Worth the wait I'm sure. I started basic shaping, the parts were cut over size to allow for fitting and fine tuning. This is the part where I have to try and not take too much away, and get it working properly. Little by little.
Top stays with some basic shaping.
The good news is that the stays feel very strong and I am really happy with the way that this element has come together. But as one part is solved the next challenge arises. Once shaping is complete, I have to create a rig for aligning the stays to the frame and wheel. Essential if I want to go in a straight line. it will mainly consist of carefully cut right angle pieces mounted on a big flat piece of ply. My left over 25mm piece I abandoned earlier on in the project should be great for this. I will have to work with the main frame on is side and elevated on blocks. This will then allow me to line up the stays. I think i will tack them in place, then fit a couple of wooden pegs to hold position. These will also work when i take it apart for the epoxy fixing.
An old trick employed by bicycle mechanics to check frame alignment is to attach a piece of string to the end of the stay, run it up and around the head tube and back down the other side to a corresponding spot at the end of the opposite stay. Then you can measure the distance (perpendicular to the plane of the frame) from the string to the seat tube. It should be equal both sides.
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