Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of construction method will be used?
You can choose to do either Lugged or Fillet Brazing for your frame.
What type of frame can I build?
The frame type design is your choice of road, track, cyclocross, touring, or fixed MTB.
No BMX, tandem, or rear suspension MTB due to lack of time and special fixture set-ups required to build such frames.
What type of tubing?
In this course, you will be building with a standard butted Chromoly tubeset, which is included in the course tuition. We use True Temper, Columbus, Reynolds, Dedacciai, as well as our own custom drawn tubesets. Non-standard tubesets are also available. See question and answer below.
Can I use a new superlight, heat-treated tubeset?
Yes. You may use one of the newer superlight, heat-treated tubesets, but only under special circumstances and strict guidance. Since the framebuilding course is only limited to a maximum of 3 students, you will have more personal one-on-one coaching to assist you with your brazing and control. And you will be supervised and guided through every single joint of your frame. Due to the higher tubeset cost, the overall course tuition will be slightly higher. Please call in advance for more information.
Is fork construction part of the framebuilding course?
Yes. You are permitted to build a steel fork as part of the class. If you choose to have a carbon fork for your frame, please notify us in advance so that your frame geometry can be designed in relation with the fork you wish to use. Different models of forks have different fork lengths and rake that must be accounted for before building the frame. If possible, please bring the fork to class.
Any experience necessary?
No experience is necessary. You will do a lot of practicing developing heat control on scrap pieces early on in the class. Some former students have taken basic brazing/welding classes at their local community school and found the knowledge helpful, but is not necessary. You will learn good technique in this course.
What is the daily schedule?
Bring some comfortable shoes and clothes because we will start early in the morning and work throughout the day. We will break for lunch. You will have one day off on Sunday. See the Schedule and Prices page for exact dates and times.
What does tuition include?
The tuition includes a standard tubeset (extralight tubesets available only under special circumstance - see above answers), lugs if applicable, braze-ons, use of facilities, instruction, and Yamaguchi Framebuilding School Handbook. Tuition does not include lodging or travel expenses.
What about lodging?
There are some nice lodging available in the surrounding area. Please call in advance. Hotels and motels get booked up very early during Hunting season. And although there may be space available for the Framebuilding Course, lodging may reach full capacity especially during Hunting Season. So, make travel and lodging arrangements early!
How much frame construction will I do?
You will be able to do the entire frame yourself. If you need help, then just ask and Koichi will demonstrate and guide you through the appropriate steps.
What about paint and decals?
Sorry, painting isn't taught in this course. Our Yamaguchi decals only go on frames that are 100% constructed by Koichi Yamaguchi. Framebuilding students are not eligible for the Yamaguchi decals we use on our own frames. The good news is that there are many bike specific companies that will make you decals of your own design. You will leave with a freshly finished unpainted frame to take to the painter of your choice and we can help you with recommendations for decal manufacturers and painters if you need.

Find out more:

Yamaguchi Bicycles, Inc.
P.O. Box 25
Rifle, CO 81650

Tel: 970.625.8401
eFax: 978.418.6351
Email: yamaguchibike@gmail.com

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