Classic & Vintage - Little 500 (Breaking Away) Project

I've always been a big fan of the movie Breaking Away. So anyway I was looking at a bike I got at a police auction for $1 awhile back and got an idea. Why not make a replica of one of the bikes used by the Cutters and other teams in the Little 500. So this has become my new project I figured I would post on the forum to get some opinions and see what you guys think of the idea. Basically the bikes are breakless, use one piece cranks and a coaster break rear. The bike I'm using is an old Ross road bike that I stripped to the frame, I have decided against a repaint to keep that vintage look. The bike has a one piece crank, just like the bikes in the movie, the original double was replaced with a single off an old 3 speed. The bars, stem, and seat were ones I had lying around and the seat post is original. I have a 27" front as well so basically all I need to complete the project is a coaster brake hub and the install everything. Heres some pics our opinions are welcome. Also if anyone has a 36 hole coaster brake hub they would be willing to part with...

Before:

http://img189.echo.cx/img189/6157/dsc000335yk.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)


Current State:

http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/2267/dsc000203fz.th.jpg (http://img231.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc000203fz.jpg)

Works for me. I don't know anything about the old coaster brakes hubs though, were there any quality ones? There are so many good track hubs available now, did you consider making it a fixed gear?

You'll also have to source some old 70's athletic tape to attach your feet to the pedals for true authenticity ;)

Can't help you out, but wanted to say that I ordered the film and a couple of weeks ago it arrived. Really wanted my 13 year old daughter to watch it as she's kind of getting into biking. Told her it was a great biking film. Couldn't interest her at all. And, she's one who loves old movies dating back to the '30's. Last night, I forced her to watch it...and very late at night at that. She loved it and had a couple of friends watch it again with her today. Guess what? She just put it on again.

I want a swimming pool like the rock quarry.

[QUOTE=Everest]I've always been a big fan of the movie Breaking Away. So anyway I was looking at a bike I got at a police auction for $1 awhile back and got an idea. Why not make a replica of one of the bikes used by the Cutters and other teams in the Little 500. >>

I had the same idea but that is not to suggest that it is a good one. Most people will probably assume that it is a transients bike and not like the one in the movie. That being said I like the idea.

Personally I would look for a period correct saddle and an aluminum stem with negative rise. That cruiser styled stamped stem makes it look even more of a POS than what they rode. Also get rid of that chrome cap on the fork and it will look much more like the vintage they had.

You do realize that the other teams in the movie were using real bikes. Only they had out of necessity used a department store bike. That being said there is a race in I beleive in indiana were the rules are that the bike must have a one peice crank and a coaster brake. Hand made cro-mo frames and such.

I remembered a thread about this from awhile ago. Check it out

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=48762&highlight=500

Your project isn't far off though it appears everyone, even the townie Cutters, would get a new bike.


:beer:

I have a shimano type-D 36 hole coaster brake hub I'll swap you for the shorty fenders! You pay the postage. Contact me at oglala@npgcable.com I live in Arizona

You ALSO realize that the bike used was an AMF Roadmaster, not a too-terribly-uncommon bike at the thrift shops. Look around, and you'll probably find one EXACTLY like the Cutter bike without any modifications...except perhaps the addition of some duct-tape to the pedals.

I know it's possible, since I found one myself back around 1990. Didn't buy it, though. Once you actually SEE one, you probably won't WANT one, either. :)

Works for me. I don't know anything about the old coaster brakes hubs though, were there any quality ones? There are so many good track hubs available now, did you consider making it a fixed gear?


yeah I'd pefer to do it coaster for authenticity and so I dont have to spend 50 on a track hub plus I've aready got a fixie


Personally I would look for a period correct saddle and an aluminum stem with negative rise. That cruiser styled stamped stem makes it look even more of a POS than what they rode. Also get rid of that chrome cap on the fork and it will look much more like the vintage they had.

The saddle is pretty period it came off an 83 le tour and the movie was 79. As for the stem that was my 3rd choice the other two appear to be permanently affixed to the forks of donor bikes. I am looking for another however it has spacing that is a little smaller than that of some of my nicer bikes. The crhome cap may go i'll have to watch the movie again.


You do realize that the other teams in the movie were using real bikes. Only they had out of necessity used a department store bike. That being said there is a race in I beleive in indiana were the rules are that the bike must have a one peice crank and a coaster brake. Hand made cro-mo frames and such

Actually I think your wrong there every team was issued a roadmaster bike for the race and required to ride it (probably why he didnt ride the Masi). Now doubtless they got the one in the worst shape but it was still the same. I'd have to watch it again to get and exact quote but the starter says something like "Mount your Roadmaster bicycle" and they say something about it while there looking at it/rebuilding it.

You ALSO realize that the bike used was an AMF Roadmaster, not a too-terribly-uncommon bike at the thrift shops. Look around, and you'll probably find one EXACTLY like the Cutter bike without any modifications...except perhaps the addition of some duct-tape to the pedals.

I know it's possible, since I found one myself back around 1990. Didn't buy it, though. Once you actually SEE one, you probably won't WANT one, either. :)

Yeah I did know that however this is a project I'm trying to do on the cheap and I'm also trying to use up some of the parts I already have laying around. I figured its more fun to build your own anyway plus I like to work on bikes and I have already finished most of my other projects.

According to the anybody's bike book, that is an Ashtabula crank
I always loved that

I swam in rock quarries in eastern Iowa, east of Iowa City, that were like that rock quarry. Scary as s*** to jump off the high side.

I live right by Iowa City the quarries are around and really pretty however I cant say that I have ever swam in one.

Hi all-

Ahhh... I remember it well. My first semester at IU, fall 1978, and they were filming the movie. They let us all be extras (in the stands for the race) and I remember thinking how no one would believe that thousands would come for bike race on campus. Little did I know...

That spring they opened the new stadium and I think it held 19,000, and it was packed, plus tailgaters and parties all nearby. It was the big, end of the year event weekend and it was really a great time, as it was every year I was there.

Of course, I can't help you with any technical issues because I was not paying much attention to the bikes back then, but if you have any questions about Bloomington circa 1978-1986 let me know.

Yeah I did know that however this is a project I'm trying to do on the cheap and I'm also trying to use up some of the parts I already have laying around. I figured its more fun to build your own anyway plus I like to work on bikes and I have already finished most of my other projects.

Well, my only point was that you're not likely to be cheaper than finding a real Roadmaster. It'll undoubtedly be next-to-free if you find one. If you just want to futz around with crappy bikes, then by all means, have fun. I understand entirely. :)

<<The saddle is pretty period it came off an 83 le tour and the movie was 79.>>

That saddle is probably 1990 and the bike they used was supposed to be old. Around 1970. Appeared to have a Wrights or Roadmaster leather.


<<Now doubtless they got the one in the worst shape but it was still the same. I'd have to watch it again to get and exact quote but the starter says something like "Mount your Roadmaster bicycle" and they say something about it while there looking at it/rebuilding it.>>

I don't know if the truth is stranger than fiction or fiction stranger than the truth. Does roadmaster make decent bikes just for this race or not?

Check this out.

http://www.cutters-cycling.com/

Seems to me the premise in the movie was that dave decided that he couldn't win with POS roadmaster after the italians ruined his roadbike.

actually they have a replica at the museum downtown in bloomington, if yer ever in the area. also, you'll probably get busted and asked to leave, but you can still swim in those quarries and they are fun as heck!