Alt Bike Culture - Pics of your "alt bike(s)"?

Here is a few pics that is a stretch like Elbowgrease's bike.
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Going to the HPVFest next week in Ayer MA and I'm sure to find some odd bikes there.

That's some nice work. I'm thinking about making the mounts to put another rear shock on the front instead of the little spring on a stick that I salvaged from the original springer. It would probably smooth the whole thing out a lot. I welded an old wheel hub into the fork for it's pivot point when I put it all together, which helped a lot.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v498/orangesodax/ComicBookBike2.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v498/orangesodax/ComicBookBike1.jpg

nice


271967
what wheels did you use?

The wheels on the '36 Seminole are Electra wheels I believe. Or Nirve? I can't remember what the guy told me when I bought them. All I know is they are awesome.

24x3 rear, 26x2.3 front

Thanks. It's so hard trying to find 24" wheels w/o buying something new. I might have to though.

I've been around BF for a while. One day I stumbled across Alt Bike Culture. This is what happened:
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Was: boring 1981 Raleigh. Now: 2012 Comic Book Bike, red cloth bar tape, wine bottle cork bar end caps, Campy brake levers, Shimano Arabesque shifters, Snake bottle cage, Tire Savers. It took me all Winter, several bottles of wine, (not to mention the comic books). When it warmed up, I hit it with clear coat. Done on the cheap with trades. A super fun ride.
All I can say is WOW. She's beautiful.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v498/orangesodax/IMG_20120923_103444_zps35ec032f.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v498/orangesodax/IMG_20120923_141853_zpsc1366ffc.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v498/orangesodax/IMG_20120923_141940_zpse200b968.jpg
made a swing bike today. i still need to adjust the back half a little and fix a few of my welds.

Love to swing. I made several for me and for my two daughters.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHJ4oyCDzZk&feature=plcp

Sculch

^mine doesn't swing that good, but it's still a blast to ride. any tips? been thinking of doing another one.

yet another ratty pub cruiser. 1946-1/2 Monark Super Deluxe:

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8336/8090869006_21163719c5_b.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8474/8090893221_34737f1121_b.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8334/8090873898_b6e1a75940_b.jpg

^mine doesn't swing that good, but it's still a blast to ride. any tips? been thinking of doing another one.
Yeah you got to keep making them till you get it near right and then make a few more. My first Huffy was built like yours.
http://i611.photobucket.com/albums/tt198/Graylock_photos/NLR-03.jpg
http://i611.photobucket.com/albums/tt198/Graylock_photos/NLR-02.jpg

My second is my personal Vista.
http://i611.photobucket.com/albums/tt198/Graylock_photos/9-20-09-Vista_NL-03.jpg
http://i611.photobucket.com/albums/tt198/Graylock_photos/9-20-09-Vista_NL-04.jpg

My last one was for my other daughter is a better way to build it. Got the idea from Wobley John (http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&ved=0CB4QFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fxntrick.co.uk%2F&ei=CjuHUOKsDMng0gGng4DwCw&usg=AFQjCNHMkQ0lokcQ1fhgP0xJAX-o0l1RSw). He has his build on the web. Check his out.

http://i611.photobucket.com/albums/tt198/Graylock_photos/AmysSwingBike-08.jpg

Sculch

RB1-luvr.......... nice Monark. It has a lot of custom details all rolled into one. Love the church key on the fender.

Sculch

This is my (pardon the expression) 'Ratbstrd Cruiser'
http://i592.photobucket.com/albums/tt5/flamingx468/The%20Bike/bike232.jpg

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First picture is of the bike as I bought it. The rest is of the progress so far. I am trying to find some nice brown grips and a 50s style light set for it. After that who knows

[First picture is of the bike as I bought it. The rest is of the progress so far. I am trying to find some nice brown grips and a 50s style light set for it. After that who knows


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We don't get to many CCM's around here but I know I'll find one some day. You did a nice job on a already nice looking bike. Not done? When are they ever done, always room for something else I say.

I also have something going that's not nearly as done as yours....... I started with a way to tall Schwinn 10-speed and laced a Bendix Coaster Brake hub onto the rear rim and removed all the cables and crap that came on it...... and I bent and added things to it. Rides nice.

http://i611.photobucket.com/albums/tt198/Graylock_photos/FL-02.jpg http://i611.photobucket.com/albums/tt198/Graylock_photos/FL-04.jpg http://i611.photobucket.com/albums/tt198/Graylock_photos/FL-09.jpg

I have nearly compleated front and rear fenders that are a few inches off the street on the trailing edge and will add one more top bar with a small tank in between.

Sculch

^^nice.




First picture is of the bike as I bought it. The rest is of the progress so far. I am trying to find some nice brown grips and a 50s style light set for it. After that who knows

Velo Orange has some leather ones you sew on. http://store.velo-orange.com/index.php/accessories/leather-goods-handlebar-grips/elkhide-sewn-on-city-bike-grips.html

Now those are some sexy hand grips. I was thinking about cutting a 1 inch strip of brown leather and wrapping the bars half way up from the ends like you would a road bike. That way you still get to see the chrome in the centre.

...but I also like those grips in the link you sent..... choices

I havn't been here for a while, just thought I'd pop in and post a pic of my custom made (by me) 24 inch muscle bike. AKA "The Beast!"

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y167/stumpyspic/TheBeast2001-4.jpg

I haven't posted an update of Fugsley in a long time.
Dahon folding bike with Harley Davidson tires and OCC STingray frame parts and a water ski rack thrown in.
You can see the entire build diary on Rat Rod Bikes here
http://www.ratrodbikes.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=44315

Here is the frame with no tires.
http://i914.photobucket.com/albums/ac348/kingfish254/Dune%20Thuggy/WP_000959.jpg

And with tires
http://i914.photobucket.com/albums/ac348/kingfish254/Dune%20Thuggy/WP_000979.jpg
http://i914.photobucket.com/albums/ac348/kingfish254/Dune%20Thuggy/WP_000966.jpg
http://i914.photobucket.com/albums/ac348/kingfish254/Dune%20Thuggy/WP_000972.jpg


Dude! I WANT YOUR BIKE!!!! FUDGIN' SICK! :twitchy:

I posted of few of these pics in a SSFG forum thread, needless to say they don't seem to appreciate going a bit outside the norm! This forum looks a bit more accepting of such things!

Anyway, not as involved a change as some of you talented folks have done, but this is pretty much how my 1987 Schwinn Cimarron looked the day i picked it up back then,.....my only brand spankin new bike! In this pic the rear fender was off,....about the only change from original. This is the 18" frame,...perfect for mountain bikeing but a bit low for city commuting. The Dimension quill to threadless rising converter solved that problem, and gets me upright and comfy.

http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb200/joejeweler/Schwinn%20Cimarron/SchwinnCimarron014small.jpg

When i finally got around to making some changes this summer, i decided the dealers suggested kick stand had to go! It had chewed up some paint, and i spent a few hours sanding, priming, and touch up painting. Had to keep any rust at bay,.....as it's survived about 26 years without any to speak of.

Here's how she looks today, replaced the 26x2.00 tires with 26x1.50 Serfas Drifters, a Thudbuster suspension seatpost, and the outer wings give a super comfortable crusing position as long as you don't need to brake for a second or two:

http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb200/joejeweler/Schwinn%20Cimarron/SchwinnCimarron013small-1.jpg

http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb200/joejeweler/Schwinn%20Cimarron/SchwinnCimarron002small-1.jpg

The outer bar end grips were covered with an decent match to the Ergo grips,....once i picked up a $6 Walmart rubber grip set and bent them around the curve. A strange sensation eminates when i ride this. The semi-enclosed cockpit hints at a airplane cockpit, and looking down while riding always puts a smile on my face. Almost "wing-like"

http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb200/joejeweler/Schwinn%20Cimarron/SchwinnCimarron007small-1.jpg

I positioned the outer grips such that while riding on the main grips on the mountain bars, the wing grips clear my forarms and you don't feel them at all. It's the more "aero" position, and of course the brakes are accessable there.

The outer bar end grips allow for a stretched out upright riding cruising position, and i find i use those more than the "main" grips! :-)

http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb200/joejeweler/Schwinn%20Cimarron/SchwinnCimarron008small-1.jpg


I keep the Brooks seat rain cover in the small leather handcuff case on the seatpost. Always there if you need it.

This seat post combined with medium pressurized 26x1.50 tires makes for a super comfy ride,.....cadillac-like.
http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb200/joejeweler/Schwinn%20Cimarron/SchwinnCimarron018small-2.jpg

http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb200/joejeweler/Schwinn%20Cimarron/SchwinnCimarron021small-2.jpg


I have a black Brooks B17 Imperial leather seat on it now (not what's shown in this pic), but this does show the beefing up i did of the Thudbuster seatpost, fitting stainless bolts with nylon bushing covers to eliminate they slight play that has been known to develope on these:

http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb200/joejeweler/Schwinn%20Cimarron/SchwinnCimarronandThudbusterLT042small.jpg

http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb200/joejeweler/Schwinn%20Cimarron/SchwinnCimarronandThudbusterLT041small.jpg

I ran the front like this for awhile (Albatros bars),....but much prefer the 2 separate hand positions of the current setup. Funny how the bar end grips like i have them places your hands close to the same position as these, except i get an extra hand position with the wing setup.

http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb200/joejeweler/Schwinn%20Cimarron/SchwinnCimarronAlbatrossbarandGreaseMix001small.jpg

here's my latest

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y295/Philphine/bikes/bikes001-41.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y295/Philphine/bikes/bikes002-24.jpg

built as part of a for fun halloween build off on freakbike

http://www.forum.freakbikenation.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=86&t=4162

i have a hard time making myself get around to paint, but since i have another bike apart to paint (for way too long), i'm leaving this one together as a spare to my main stretch. mechanicly it's compleat and rides pretty good so i can work out any bugs and play with a few more ideas before i get to paint anyway.

heres my 1st project. it was black and rusted when i got it with bright blue fenders and pitted chrome. this is after a full day of sanding,painting and fine tuning. a few more things to come soon.

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c16/instrumetal/DSC00498.jpg

used Krylon super-flat camo green paint, and Krylon gloss engine enamel for the wheels.

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c16/instrumetal/DSC00496.jpg

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c16/instrumetal/DSC00499.jpg

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c16/instrumetal/DSC00500.jpg

Anyone know the seat set up on this bike? Old old thread so I wasn't sure if a PM would do any good.

its a banana seat with sissy bars, pretty basic set up taken from 60s era muscle bikes.

I wanted to make comments on individual bikes but this page's are all gloriously sick! Nice work everybody!

1970's Murray Chopper Custom

1970's AMF Avenger 5 , 5 speed custom painted
this was junk when I found it

1970's Swingbike ,Custom painted.
this one was rusted junk when I found it

http://i814.photobucket.com/albums/zz61/CustomCruse/NEW%20Bike%20builds/DSCF5584.jpg

http://i814.photobucket.com/albums/zz61/CustomCruse/NEW%20Bike%20builds/DSCF5535.jpg

http://i814.photobucket.com/albums/zz61/CustomCruse/NEW%20Bike%20builds/DSCF5579.jpg

Newest build for fun & I'm building a few more.

Drift Trike, made from a 80's 24" frame with a 20" fork installed.

http://i814.photobucket.com/albums/zz61/CustomCruse/Drift%20Trike/2003_0329Trike0021.jpg

Here are some pics of my rat trike.

Specs:
- Jesse James West Coast Choppers frame, tank, fork and seat (purchased on Ebay for $40!)
- Sun Miami trike rear end rattle-can sprayed flat black
- Dyna Fireball Flametread 24" Slicks for rear tires
- Schwinn 26" Cruiser whitewall up front
- Sturmey Archer drum brake up front
- random ape hangers from my basement
- Old wooden soda crate for storage
- Random VW emblems temporarily taped on :P (I was at a VW car show that day)
- "NOS tank" (NOS energy drink bottle, shaped like a NOS nitrous oxide tank.... again, I was at a car show) :P
- Weight ....I think it might weigh around 750 pounds. At least that's what it feels like. :P

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff104/jdaru/Bikes/2008-09-17CVOTreffenBattleWagon1-1.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff104/jdaru/Bikes/2008-09-17CVOTreffenBattleWagon10.jpg

Hello everyone,

Here are some picture of a bamboo bike that my Dad has built. Thought this would be the best place to share. Enjoy.

http://i1286.photobucket.com/albums/a618/idcoolrocker/IMG_20121226_124000_zpsb52e8786.jpg

http://i1286.photobucket.com/albums/a618/idcoolrocker/IMG_20121226_123939_zpsc6d1a78a.jpg

http://i1286.photobucket.com/albums/a618/idcoolrocker/IMG_20121226_123925_zps740082d6.jpg

http://i1286.photobucket.com/albums/a618/idcoolrocker/IMG_20121226_123918_zps2612ccbd.jpg

http://i1286.photobucket.com/albums/a618/idcoolrocker/IMG_20121226_123908_zps13ded220.jpg

http://i1286.photobucket.com/albums/a618/idcoolrocker/IMG_20121226_123854_zpsf54c9b3a.jpg

Hello everyone,

Here are some picture of a bamboo bike that my Dad has built. Thought this would be the best place to share. Enjoy.

http://i1286.photobucket.com/albums/a618/idcoolrocker/IMG_20121226_123908_zps13ded220.jpg

http://i1286.photobucket.com/albums/a618/idcoolrocker/IMG_20121226_123854_zpsf54c9b3a.jpg

That is very ingenious but I would wonder about the saddle. The wooden pegs might be supportive but I would care for a covering over them as getting entangled in the springs and such might be painful or damage your clothing.

An excellent first post, and welcome to Bike Forums!

I'm not sure whether this qualifies as an alt.bike, but I have not yet seen another bicycle with a frame bag and fenders made from laminated plastic bags:

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Also, detachable mudflaps for really sh*tty weather:

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The laminated plastic looks hideous, but it is quite resilient and it stays flexible even in low temperatures (-20 degrees Celsius).

are you saying you used plastic bags like you would fiberglass cloth or paper with paper mache?

Like fiberglass cloth. I followed these instructions to laminate sheets of plastic:
http://www.toolgirl.com/toolgirl/2010/11/laminate-plastic-bags-to-make-tough-durable-material-tote-bags-lampshades.html

Then I made molds/casts (see pics below) and melted the sheets over them (sorry if my explanation is not accurate - as you can see, english is not my first language).
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The frame bag has a zipper in its left side: plastic laminate is easy to sew, and one can iron the seams to make them waterproof and more durable.

your english was plenty clear enough. that's an idea to save. thanks.

Hello everyone,

Here are some picture of a bamboo bike that my Dad has built. Thought this would be the best place to share. Enjoy.

Awesome bamboo bike. I love the seat, looks like it might actually be comfy. But I do agree with Rollfast: needs a cloth cover of some sort. Perhaps made of hemp, in keeping with the theme of the bike?

Here is my entry: a recumbent trike and a rickshaw, chopped and welded together to make a quad cycle taxi. I actually use it in Copenhagen, Denmark most of the year for making some extra pocket money when not at my regular job teaching website development.

Link to the full album showing some of the construction details: https://picasaweb.google.com/103124336912395863201/2012CycleTaxi

A few teaser shots from the album:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fhvG1w7EXkM/T7rWHUfTabI/AAAAAAAAGBE/pXkBWEyvylY/s800/2012-05-21%252015.02.48.jpg
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-w50lVNAgmq0/T-9i8lC5s1I/AAAAAAAAGJc/B0MQl6Br8Vw/s800/20120630_163827.jpg

My home-built cargo trike (modeled after the Organic Engines SUV), patiently waiting for me to finish my rainy outdoor gig.
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Its construction is detailed at my trike page (http://drumbent.com/trike.html), and the ongoing fun on my blog (http://drumbent.blogspot.ca/search/label/cargo%20trike).

My custom chopper bike, built here in Ottawa by mad bike designer Mike Watson.

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[QUOTE=digitalmouse;15170709]Awesome bamboo bike. I love the seat, looks like it might actually be comfy. But I do agree with Rollfast: needs a cloth cover of some sort. Perhaps made of hemp, in keeping with the theme of the bike?

Here is my entry: a recumbent trike and a rickshaw, chopped and welded together to make a quad cycle taxi. I actually use it in Copenhagen, Denmark most of the year for making some extra pocket money when not at my regular job teaching website development.

Link to the full album showing some of the construction details: https://picasaweb.google.com/103124336912395863201/2012CycleTaxi

A few teaser shots from the album:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fhvG1w7EXkM/T7rWHUfTabI/AAAAAAAAGBE/pXkBWEyvylY/s800/2012-05-21%252015.02.48.jpg

Kinda like a wicked T-bucket rod! Apparently easy to convert too. Great idea!

WOW,It's a truly ingenious ingenious invention. like it

Kinda like a wicked T-bucket rod! Apparently easy to convert too. Great idea!

Thanks! It looks more like the following now:
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-w50lVNAgmq0/T-9i8lC5s1I/AAAAAAAAGJc/B0MQl6Br8Vw/s640/20120630_163827.jpg

Had to "chop the top" because it acts like a drag chute. Not good when I'm carrying 200 kgs of passengers trying to cross the canal bridge in Copenhagen into the wind. :(

And yes, I was completely lucky that the bottom bracket of the rickshaw was within millimeters of the rear swing-arm of the trike. It was just a matter of removing the rear wheel from the trike, hacking off the driver section of the rickshaw, lining it up and welding it togehter. Took him 15-20 minutes to weld them together, and took me about an hour to hack the pieces apart, then re-attach all the important bits, like brakes and chain. Oh, and I was able to reuse the friction brake from the rickshaw - the handle pops up between my legs.

This spring I'll make a lower and lighter passenger seat. Kinda going for a 'ratrod' or 1930's look with aluminum and coraplast panels to give weather protection for me and the passengers. Something in this direction I think, but can pop the top for nice weather:
http://www.gardnermotorcars.com/images/1930%20FWD-s.jpghttp://1.bp.blogspot.com/_FfetiF7C9vo/R5BFXU9F2AI/AAAAAAAAC_U/hBlYbz6jcq4/S760/1920+MAXWELL+TOWN+CAR.JPG

Just found this thread, I'll post some pics of my "project bike" in a bit...Off to find the camera...

Sorry, had to use the cell phone...


http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii15/mace350/IMG_1375_zpsfd4ca1d8.jpg

Totally stock. Does it still count?

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8217/8441902762_f23014243d_z.jpg

Subbed for ideas

Totally stock. Does it still count?

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8217/8441902762_f23014243d_z.jpg

Love that bike!

When I first joined the Forum, one of my first questions here in "Alt Bikes" was pertaining to the "ethics" of customizing a stock, but deteriorated, Sears three speed bike. I wanted something that had the cool look (to me) of a fixie, but easier on my aged body than a real fixie.

You all gave the "go-ahead" to the hacksaw, recondition and repaint; so I thought I'd check back in here to show the results. Rides well, I think looks good, and I'm proud of it!

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Excellent job, Joe!

306851 Here is a sneek peek at our patroitic bike for the summer 306848306850

^ Parade material, for sure!

Does this Laïti qualify? Most people don't notice that there's something unusual about it.

http://www.saenen.net/forums/fotos/laiti/2012-08-21/P8210047m.jpg

http://www.saenen.net/forums/fotos/laiti/2012-08-21/P8210045m.jpg

Nope, this isn't homebuilt. In fact they made at least a few dozen of them. This is one of the few examples that ended up outside of France.

It's not just a show bike either. This particular one is a high-mileage example in need of a full restoration.
I'm hoping to ride it one more summer and restore it next winter, but I'm not sure if the chain will last that long.

(Wrinkles brow Spock-like)

Fascinating Captain...either a highly advanced being created this or it may be the brazen creation of a madman!

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