Alt Bike Culture - Grinder Happy

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SLPRJP
09-13-10, 12:38 AM
I was about to toss a old free spirit road bike when I looked at my grinder and had a neat idea. 5 hours later, some cheap paint and I think I like it!

I cut off the rear brake truss, some weird flange, deskinned the seat, and smacked everything with the grinder. I also removed the brakes, cut off the large front ring and positioned on the third cog on the rear. Viola! $5 single speed.

Before
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f395/Zeppto007/IMG_02452.jpg

After
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f395/Zeppto007/IMG_0246.jpg
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f395/Zeppto007/IMG_0247.jpg

Better pics tomorrow!

FlatTop
09-13-10, 12:33 PM
That paint is incredible, it looks just like bare metal.
Just kidding! Looking forward to better pics.
SLPRJP
09-13-10, 01:44 PM
Here are some better pics. I like how grungy it looks. It rides great too!

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f395/Zeppto007/DSC01214.jpg
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f395/Zeppto007/DSC01216.jpg
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f395/Zeppto007/DSC01218.jpg
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f395/Zeppto007/DSC01217.jpg

Motopecane
09-13-10, 05:17 PM
I love how simple it is and that you didn't spend much but only one thing worries me. It's not a fixie, and you took the brakes off?!?! Not even a front brake?
SLPRJP
09-13-10, 10:46 PM
I love how simple it is and that you didn't spend much but only one thing worries me. It's not a fixie, and you took the brakes off?!?! Not even a front brake?

For now I am just using my foot against the wheel as a brake. But I am working up a front brake for it. The thing is way too much fun to ride!
SLPRJP
09-14-10, 06:57 PM
Wanna know what a crappy frame gets you? Serious weight. Even with everything removed this bike weighs 30lbs!!! :)
Motopecane
09-15-10, 12:25 AM
wow... that is sucky my Motobecane Mixte is 28 with a ton of stuff and 12 speeds.
SHREDTHECITIES
10-05-10, 10:34 PM
looks great!!!!!

get a brake even if its a coaster!!
BigPolishJimmy
10-18-10, 01:27 PM
Generally I'm not a fan of people butchering bikes, but I can tell this bike is happier for you doing this to it. That FreeSpirit was no collectors item and you made it fun again. Good Job! +1 to front brake, cheap and easy to do, the short cable won't mess with the lines of the bike too much. I'd use an old 3-speed/cruiser brake handle up on the bar tops.
marley mission
10-18-10, 05:58 PM
i love this bike
SLPRJP
10-26-10, 05:41 PM
Thanks guys. It is fun to ride, and since posting it I have added a front brake. Probably gonna swap the seat seen in the picture out as well.

I'm onto a new mission of breathing new life into a lotus...
Motopecane
11-01-10, 08:52 AM
Generally I'm not a fan of people butchering bikes, but I can tell this bike is happier for you doing this to it. That FreeSpirit was no collectors item and you made it fun again. Good Job! +1 to front brake, cheap and easy to do, the short cable won't mess with the lines of the bike too much. I'd use an old 3-speed/cruiser brake handle up on the bar tops.

If your not a fan of people "butchering" bikes what are you doing snooping around the alt bike section?
BigPolishJimmy
11-01-10, 10:16 AM
Ha, I stand corrected. Let me clarify, I'm not a fan of people butchering nice classic bikes where only a few examples still exist. No shortage of Free Spirits out there, in this case it seems like an improvement. In any case, it was not a troll attempt, but an honest expression of appreciation for taking something mundane and making something cool from it. I snoop here often, don't always have time to post, but there's been some really cool stuff in here. *edit*... and if I ever get the time to build it, I hope to post some stuff in here as well.
Panda Bear
11-03-10, 11:28 AM
Great Bike! I want one!
brockd15
11-03-10, 03:11 PM
FYI...you're seatpost clamp is on backwards (unless you meant for it to be in front).

I've got one of those Ted William's Free Spirits too...I went a slightly different direction with it than you...

http://i705.photobucket.com/albums/ww54/brockd15/Bikes/Ted%20Williams%20Free%20Spirit/Beforestrippingitdown.jpg

http://i705.photobucket.com/albums/ww54/brockd15/Bikes/Ted%20Williams%20Free%20Spirit/IMG_0762.jpg
BigPolishJimmy
11-08-10, 10:57 AM
Wow, you really put a lot into that frame. Is that frame Hi-10 or one of the 531 frames? All the pics I've seen of the Ted Williams 531 Free Spirit were a golden color. The 3-piece crank on that is different than the single-piece crank on the OP's bike. I like them both.
SLPRJP
11-15-10, 04:38 AM
FYI...you're seatpost clamp is on backwards (unless you meant for it to be in front).

I've got one of those Ted William's Free Spirits too...I went a slightly different direction with it than you...

http://i705.photobucket.com/albums/ww54/brockd15/Bikes/Ted%20Williams%20Free%20Spirit/Beforestrippingitdown.jpg

http://i705.photobucket.com/albums/ww54/brockd15/Bikes/Ted%20Williams%20Free%20Spirit/IMG_0762.jpg

holy goodness that is awesome!