I'm building two projects right now, and one of them, the less hushed one, needs a cruiser bike frame, or whole bike.

I'm in the process of researching cruisers, but I'm looking for a vintage cruiser, three-speed, with eyelets for front and rear fenders, front and rear racks, and fairly relaxed geometry. Fairly compact, not too stretched out, and also...

Relatively lightweight.

Any reccomendations on good old cruiser bikes? Good new cruiser bikes? "Good" in relation to my needs, rather than actually being excellent.

Oh! And coaster brakes are preferred.

It's going to be a sweet project.
But the eyelets are the most important part.

Oh, yes, blueprint doodles soon to follow.

Columbia is lightweight, but it is also the worst whippy gaspipe you can find. No eyelets at the front fork IIRC.

-Kurt

There's going to be saddlebags on the front also, and a cutout in the fender for a dynamo to hit the tire in front.
The other side on the rear pannier will be and old metal gas tank of a rectangular nature, and the saddlebag on the other side.

I like motorless bikes, but this is a "for fun" project I'm developing after seeing a friend make a motorized bike.

I was gonna do a white-star American army one, but I thought I'd be the devils advocate.

And think "olive drab powdercoat," not that nasty bright green. And the brown is much more brown.

Just a rough doodle. The headbadge would be an officer's hat medal from ebay. They're pretty, cheap, and abundant.

And any thoughts on a more "vintage motorcycle" esque seat?
That's my rough doodle of the biggest, fattest Brooks I could find.

You are going to want an old heavy frame cruiser if you plan on putting a working motor on it... The Brooks B-190 is probably the biggest and baddest saddle you will find short of a tractor seat

Aaron

All your ?? can be answered here.
https://www.motoredbikes.com/

Since we're talking about motorizing, here is my concept. My motored build will start as soon as my Starliner frame and JC Higgins fork arrive (they both have already been won off of ebay. should be here before the end of the week)


the inspiration bike care of JoeyMac of ratrodbikes.com:


the photochopped concept:

I have a cruiser frame in my basement if anyone wants it; even comes with a few parts, such as crank, seatpost, and... maybe a stem, I don't remember. Free! About half way between NYC and Philly.

Well, it's not so much a matter of questions about motored bikes, that's no big deal.

I'm just curious if there's any old frames that will suit my needs, or if I'll need a newer, and seemingly heavier one.

I think you would be fine with a modern or vintage Schwinn frame. There is a company that makes a Schwinn style frame with a fuel tank molded into it (ala Schwinn Phantom). I was trying to find it but couldn't.

Personally, I would be more concerned about what fork and brakes to use then the frame. Steer clear of the cheap reproduction springer forks. Especially the repro Monark fork. It looks cool but is not safe.

Wait... So the first picture isn't your bike?

I'm afraid if you redid that first bike to make it look like the bottom picture, that'd be very much like a Drew. If not- then good luck with your project.

These are just plan doodles, I'm currently actually working on a different project, this one won't start till January or February.

That tank isn't really suited for fuel though, ... is it?

And what is a springer fork?

I'm actaully looking to get my project as motorcycle-looking as possible, I've been looking up old Soviet motorycles and thinking either a new MB fork with humble front shocks, or a simple, rigid fork.

With the panniers and fender, I'm thinking rigid fork.

I've seen a couple of Schwinn Heavy Duty bikes on Craigslist lately for fairly cheap. They're old style, but not old enough to be worth anything as antiques. I think they're still being made, similar to the Worksman and other industrial bikes.

None of these bikes were intended to be motorized or ridden at 25 mph for hours on end, so you're on your own there.

"Lightweight" = new aluminum frame.
"3- speed" = old steel frame with thin 26x1-3/8" tires.

I recently dragged home a Ladies Raliegh Sports from the Dump. It does not have a saddle. Of course it is not a true cruiser, but I believe could be adapted to your idea. BTW, it is already army "copper" green with eyelets. If you want it, it's yours for the shipping.

You ever been on a souped up wizzer !!!! it wasn't built to run at the speeds we ran em at either LMAO. It was just a phantom frame beefed up a bit and with a little work you could get it to run 40+.
I Had a sears moped and others had many versions of cushman scooters. In 1959 illinois passed a law that 14 yr olds could ride anything under 5 brake HP without a license, lasted 2 years before they repealed it. We used to trade around and ride each others rigs but no one wanted to ride mike's wizzer, even though it was the fastest of the bunch. It even out ran the cushman eagle!!!
Even at 14 we had a bit of fear and common sense LOL.

My motobike;

so thats where my weed eater moter ended up.