Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - I think I have my SS frame.

I purchased this bike for $4.99 to rob the fenders from it for my commuter bike. After looking it over, the frame is in good shape. The added bonus that makes me want to build it into a SS is that all the cables are held on through plasic clips. From what I can tell, It will be completely smooth after removing all that stuff. The drop-outs are not excatly ideal, but do you think they would work? I'll be replacing the handle bars too. :)

So, what do you fellas think?

I purchased this bike for $4.99 to rob the fenders from it for my commuter bike. After looking it over, the frame is in good shape. The added bonus that makes me want to build it into a SS is that all the cables are held on through plasic clips. From what I can tell, It will be completely smooth after removing all that stuff. The drop-outs are not excatly ideal, but do you think they would work? I'll be replacing the handle bars too. :)

So, what do you fellas think?

Instead of replacing the bars, you could cut off the rubber handles, turn the bars upside down and wrap them in tape. Yeah, that would be cool.

It's hard to tell from the photo, but the dropouts don't look too bad. I agree with halfspeed, flip the bars. Swept back or forwards as bullhorns, they'd look fine.

cam

Looks like it might be pretty cool. I love bringing old things back to life. The only thing I could say negative is that that style of bike is usually pretty heavy. My commuter this winter was a late 70's "Coastal Hardware"-branded Huffy built a lot like the bike you have. I liked it fine. Then a guy gave me a early 70's French Jeunet brand bike. It was half the weight. I couldn't believe it. I tried to find out why, and noticed that everything on that Huffy is steel. Of course, steel makes it strong, so there is a good side. That French bike, eventhough old tech, was just way lighter.

If you are going fixie, you will strip off a lot of that bike's weight and it should be a lot better. You know, I had tons of fun working on that old French thing and making it basically a new bike. You should go for it!

Tomorrow I'm going to clean up the Huffy and donate back to the Goodwill I bought it from last fall. Maybe someone else can enjoy it.

If you do the convert, keep us updated!
Pat

I purchased this bike for $4.99 to rob the fenders from it for my commuter bike. After looking it over, the frame is in good shape. The added bonus that makes me want to build it into a SS is that all the cables are held on through plasic clips. From what I can tell, It will be completely smooth after removing all that stuff. The drop-outs are not excatly ideal, but do you think they would work? I'll be replacing the handle bars too. :)

So, what do you fellas think?

Can I have the reflectors?

Instead of replacing the bars, you could cut off the rubber handles, turn the bars upside down and wrap them in tape. Yeah, that would be cool.

Hey, I didn't think of that. Cool.



It's hard to tell from the photo, but the dropouts don't look too bad. I agree with halfspeed, flip the bars. Swept back or forwards as bullhorns, they'd look fine.

cam

The dropouts are around a 45 degree angle. Not quite ideal, but I have seen photos on the forums with less ideal dropouts. I think it will work ok. If you like, I can post some close-up shots of the dropouts.



Looks like it might be pretty cool. I love bringing old things back to life. The only thing I could say negative is that that style of bike is usually pretty heavy. <snip> If you are going fixie, you will strip off a lot of that bike's weight and it should be a lot better. <snip>

If you do the convert, keep us updated!
Pat

Hey Pat,

Yea, the bike is a bit on the heavy side by today's standards. For this particular project, my first attempt at this, I think it will be suitable. I'm not even sure if SS/fixed is for me at this point. My riding of it may be limited due to the terrain of this area. I just cant say at this point. The only thing I am sure of at this point is that I have a strong desire to give it a shot. :)



Can I have the reflectors?

Sure! They are all yours!



Thanks for the replies. I'll be stripping it down this weekend. I'll keep a journal on this project as well.

I actually prefer a heavier bike in the winter - it keeps you from getting blown around by the wind. Of course, minneapolis is pretty flat...

I wonder about the plastic clips though - maybe someone already made it into a SS and took a dremel to all of the little things that you're supposed to run the cables through?

I actually prefer a heavier bike in the winter - it keeps you from getting blown around by the wind. Of course, minneapolis is pretty flat...

I wonder about the plastic clips though - maybe someone already made it into a SS and took a dremel to all of the little things that you're supposed to run the cables through?

Me too. I have a Raleigh Mustang SIS that is around 54#s with one pannier.

I sripped the bike down today. There is no evedince that the braze-ons were ever there. The paint and decals are all original.

Ok, I flipped the handle bars over. Way cool! I also stripped the bike down today. the crank set alone weighs around 7#s! The old steel wheels were especially heavy. I'll weigh the frame and post a couple of photos of the dropouts and the snazzy handle bars. Thanks for the suggestion on the bars! They look way cool! :)

I wonder about the plastic clips though - maybe someone already made it into a SS and took a dremel to all of the little things that you're supposed to run the cables through?

Very, very doubtful. Many makers will save money by not brazing on things like cable mounts, when plastic clips will do just fine! I say that that would be a good SS, using 43-17 gears and some drop bars!!!

Very, very doubtful. Many makers will save money by not brazing on things like cable mounts, when plastic clips will do just fine! I say that that would be a good SS, using 43-17 gears and some drop bars!!!

Actually, I have flipped the original bars over into bull horns. :D Thanks for the suggestion of the cogs. I have not researched far enough into it to make an informed decision on cog size yet. I live in hilly terrain.

I have decided to repaint the frame. I'll decide on color later on. I'll be looking around for a set of wheels with a coaster brake hub. Fixed is not in the plan. I have decided to build a SS with a "back peddle" brake. I don't want any cables at all on her.

.....I have decided to build a SS with a "back peddle" brake. I don't want any cables at all on her.

Excellent ! That is my favorite way to ride. Do you currently have a coaster brake bike? If so what brake is on it (oh oh here he goes again ;-)

Jim

Hey. Thats a cool lookin bike. Before you paint it(if you haven't already) step back from it and look at the paint scheme with fresh eyes. This is just my opinion, but I think that it looks damn cool the way it is. I myself am looking to do a ss project and thought I'd throw in my 2 cents. Gurgus.

Dropouts will be fine.

You scored. Have fun w/ this project.

Excellent ! That is my favorite way to ride. Do you currently have a coaster brake bike? If so what brake is on it (oh oh here he goes again ;-)

Jim

Hi Jim, I do not have a coaster brake bike. This will be my first since I was a kid.



Hey. Thats a cool lookin bike. Before you paint it(if you haven't already) step back from it and look at the paint scheme with fresh eyes. This is just my opinion, but I think that it looks damn cool the way it is. I myself am looking to do a ss project and thought I'd throw in my 2 cents. Gurgus.

Hi Gurgus, Your 2 cents is welcome! I don't have a problem with the color itself. I want to get rid of the stickers. I think they make the frame look "cheap." There is also a couple of scratches that have minor surface rust that I need to address.



Dropouts will be fine.

You scored. Have fun w/ this project.

Thanks! I will! :)

Hi Jim, I do not have a coaster brake bike. This will be my first since I was a kid.




Hi Gurgus, Your 2 cents is welcome! I don't have a problem with the color itself. I want to get rid of the stickers. I think they make the frame look "cheap." There is also a couple of scratches that have minor surface rust that I need to address.




Thanks! I will! :)

I think I want to shop in your salvation army! lots of nice SS potential in there it seems! When you do get it put together, you gotta do the coaster brake powerslide, just like being a kid again!!

I think I want to shop in your salvation army! lots of nice SS potential in there it seems! When you do get it put together, you gotta do the coaster brake powerslide, just like being a kid again!!

Your right! I have been very lucky. At least if you like brining new life to old steel. I am a sucker for lugs!
The powerslide is on the agenda once complete. :)

Dropouts:

Rear triangle

The stripped frame

Sexy bars!

There is nothing particularly noteworthy about the frame. No jazzy lugs or head badge. It does have nice smooth welds.

That is seriously cool looking with the reversed handlebars. I like those ugly stickers. I guess I'm just a sucker for fromage. Oh, by the way, your grass looks alot like mine.

That is seriously cool looking with the reversed handlebars. I like those ugly stickers. I guess I'm just a sucker for fromage. Oh, by the way, your grass looks alot like mine.

The stickers are not in very good shape. I hope to do something cool with the paint. I prefer paint over stickers. I agree, the bars will make the bike look awsome! :D

Yeah yeah, rented lot, ugly grass. Well, at least in that one area. :rolleyes: