Hi all. I have an Electrabike Rockabilly that I modified and ride all over town with, but I thought I would make myself a bike like I used to when I was younger (around about 1976).
I'm a large guy 6'4" and 280lbs, so I knew I couldn't make a bike out of an old 20" Schwinn like I did back then. I decided to scrounge around for a mtn bike at the dump or on the side of the road. I found two in a dumpster, one with no front wheel, one with no wheels. I found a 16" front wheel on the side of the road. I hacked the forks off of one frame and slid them onto the other bike. I had my pull back bars that I took off my Rockabilly
I bud at work is going to weld the forks together for me. I need to get some longer cables for the rear derailer and rear brake. I will probably go with a banana seat and make my own sissy bar. I haven't spent a cent on it yet. I'm hoping to spend no more than $20 when done. I'll keep you posted of my progress.
Also, my "sort-of"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2392/1599639755_646847aec5.jpg?v=0 muscle bike...
Oh man, don't tease us like that. We need photos of the bulldog!
East Hill
thatismytruck
01-04-08, 02:08 PM
His bull dog rides in the sidecar. I dig your RV.
Also, my "sort-of"http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2392/1599639755_646847aec5.jpg?v=0 muscle bike...
I've seen that sidecar set up before. another thread? That's the smaller version of my bike I think. My RV is gone. had to get rid of it. way to much work needed inside to complete. took a big loss.
That is not an "almost muscle bike" in my book. very nicely done.
oh, and I agree with East Hill. need pics of bulldog riding with your bud.
thatismytruck
01-05-08, 10:51 AM
I got impatient looking for and/or waiting to find free or cheap used parts so I bought some new ones. My budget of $20 is shot. I spent $50 on two white wall tires and a black banana seat. That's it though. not spending another cent. well, maybe paint. :o
Gurgus
01-07-08, 05:55 AM
Gotta see if I've got any photos of the dog in the sidecar, I might have them.
Gurgus
01-07-08, 05:57 AM
That is not an "almost muscle bike" in my book. very nicely done.
Thanks much for the compliment. I only called it an almost muscle bike because the 20 inch wheel is on the back instead of the front.
Stacey
01-07-08, 06:14 AM
Gotta see if I've got any photos of the dog in the sidecar, I might have them.
Dog? I'd like to see some construction detail photos. :)
thatismytruck
01-07-08, 06:15 PM
Mock up mostly done. here is a really lousy phone picture of me trying colors on the frame.
Just clear coat it as it is in the pic and call it done.
East Hill
01-07-08, 08:03 PM
Just clear coat it as it is in the pic and call it done.
What, no decals?
:D
East Hill
Marrock
01-07-08, 08:05 PM
Decals are for posers. ;)
thatismytruck
01-08-08, 07:52 AM
I considered leaving it as is, but I love the blue I picked. lotsa flake. A little more sanding and I'll give it a good prime coat then paint and clear. There will be a panel on the seat tube of white and red. The forks will have a white and red band where the weld is to disguise it a bit.
I have two decals in mind. One very small "ny" for the Giants. One custom with this quote: "The purpose of life is to fight maturity" which I think pretty well explains why I'm building this thing.
As you can see, I plan to keep you posted. If you don't mind.
East Hill
01-08-08, 09:02 AM
As you can see, I plan to keep you posted. If you don't mind.
I liked the blue as well.
We love having people keep us updated :) .
East Hill
Marrock
01-08-08, 09:21 AM
"The purpose of life is to fight maturity"
Or, as I put it, "I may get older, but I refuse to grow up."
thatismytruck
01-15-08, 08:14 AM
Just a quick update because I know you're all waiting impatiently. :rolleyes:
I've got full paint on the frame. I just want to add some red here and there. The forks are ready for a bud to weld. then I'll paint them too. I got my tires, seat, sissy bar in the mail yesterday. Painted the front wheel black.
Your project is shaping up! Yeah, the colour is nice, nice.
East Hill
Rollfast
01-17-08, 02:23 PM
I hope the flames on the Dodge aren't to appease the god of fire from taking your fuel line as a sacrifice;)
Oh well, can't sleep on your bike in Yellowstone...the bears will wanna try jumps!
thatismytruck
01-21-08, 07:42 AM
I hope the flames on the Dodge aren't to appease the god of fire from taking your fuel line as a sacrifice;)
Oh well, can't sleep on your bike in Yellowstone...the bears will wanna try jumps!
I wish I lit that camper on fire!! It caused me major heartache.:( Glad it's gone now.
And when bears use your bike for jumps it's never the same.;)
update:
I mocked up the bike with seat wheels tires, etc. I hate the 16" wheel. gonna go scrounge for a 20". I think I hate the handle bar stem. I will use the one that was originally on the Trek. I might try to find some different handle bars. Something more muscle bike-ish and not cruiser bike-ish.
And they have to be at least as high as the sissy bar.
Also, if you don't want that stem I'll take it. ;)
East Hill
01-21-08, 09:29 AM
I'll second the apehangers.
East Hill
thatismytruck
01-21-08, 09:30 AM
Apehangers... it's gotta have apehangers.
And they have to be at least as high as the sissy bar.
Also, if you don't want that stem I'll take it. ;)
I agree about the apes. I've been avoiding it as best as I could because I already have apes on my other bike, but it is unavoidable. It's got to be apes, not as high as you say though. If I decide I do indeed hate the stem, you can have it. yes really. just paypal me the actual shipping.
Sammyboy
01-21-08, 10:34 AM
Here's how I did it (but it got stolen), and then the lower one, which I built for my son (I did tidy up the forks!):
Sorry about no updates. A bud had a 20" wheel, I bought a ww tire and some high rise handlebars. not too high. I plan on wheelieing this thing and do not want the handlebars too high. Another bud finished up welding the forks. He even repositioned the brake mounts so I'll have front brakes. I only have some tandem cables to buy and I'll be all set for the build.
thatismytruck
03-08-08, 12:31 PM
Last Mock up
I'll be taking it apart to grease it properly and then assemble for good. I'm very happy with the final result.
Very nice job! Are you putting grips on the handlebars?
East Hill
thatismytruck
03-08-08, 02:19 PM
Thank you. I am, just some vintage looking red grips.
East Hill
03-08-08, 02:21 PM
Thank you. I am, just some vintage looking red grips.
Oh, that should make for a nice contrast...photos requested when done?
East Hill
thatismytruck
03-08-08, 02:28 PM
I will post pics when done, both in the basement and me riding it.:) The red is a minor accent color. You might be able to make out this kinda cheesy red flame pin striping I got at AutoZone. The red grips should make the red flames pop a smidge more.;)
Kinetikx
03-08-08, 03:28 PM
Maybe it's considered overdone or trite- but adding an american flag somewhere on there as an homage to the "Captain America" motorcycle in Easy Rider just seems appropriate on this bike for some reason. Or maybe just a helmet painted with that scheme slung from the sissy bar?
Maybe it's considered overdone or trite- but adding an american flag somewhere on there as an homage to the "Captain America" motorcycle in Easy Rider just seems appropriate on this bike for some reason. Or maybe just a helmet painted with that scheme slung from the sissy bar?
Great idea. I was thinking of ty wrapping a flag to the sissy bar like I did when I was a kid.
(That's Brutus in the basket....his first time...and me pedaling)
Excellent use of front basket! Is Brutus a Boston Terrier, or a mix?
East Hill
StephenH
03-08-08, 08:55 PM
We think he's a boston terrier, but he's a rescue dog, so only way to tell is by looking- no papers.
Our other dog (dog #1) is named Caesar, hence the Brutus. Caesar wouldn't sit in that thing for 5 seconds.
That's the Arpan Low Gravity Bicycle on about it's 4th ride. Still need to tighten some spokes and attach the basket bottom more firmly, and add the kick-stand clips.
East Hill
03-08-08, 08:59 PM
We think he's a boston terrier, but he's a rescue dog, so only way to tell is by looking- no papers.
Our other dog (dog #1) is named Caesar, hence the Brutus. Caesar wouldn't sit in that thing for 5 seconds.
That's the Arpan Low Gravity Bicycle on about it's 4th ride. Still need to tighten some spokes and attach the basket bottom more firmly, and add the kick-stand clips.
I think you need to post this photo in the Hot Men of Foo thread. I know the other women would enjoy this photo of two cute guys :p .
East Hill
thatismytruck
04-13-08, 12:00 PM
Well here's my last installment (I know you've all been waiting with baited breath:rolleyes:) I have it all cabled up (I brought it to Zane's Bike in Branford, CT. Was nearly the same price as just buying the cables), added two Trek decals and one Trek sticker celebrating Lance's Tour Victories. I don't have grips yet but that is minor. I've ridden it around the block a few time and it goes quite well. One thing I didn't notice is the cassette is 8 speed and the shifter 7. Doh! I think I have a 7 speed cassette around, so no big deal.
Without further ado......
Boy approves :D
Here's one pic of all my hot rods.
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f283/thatismytruck/0413081253a2.jpg
if you look closely you will see my vodka and tonic perched on the front bumper.;)
The whole project was fun. I look forward to my next. I already picked up a very old Columbia. That will have to wait till Winter.
East Hill
04-15-08, 07:35 PM
Excellent finish to your project, and even a thumb's up from the little guy, yay!