Klunker conversion!
#1
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Klunker conversion!
Klunker! by mattface, on Flickr
I went down to the bike coop to replace a broken spoke, and was truing the wheel when a guy walked in and donated this old Schwin cruiser frame that had been converted to a 10 speed. Overall it was a very nifty bike with a rear drum brake front and rear derailers, and a granny ring cobbled onto the ashtabula crank, but the cob job they had done to accommodate a front brake was so bad as to ruin an otherwise very cool conversion. THe brake was bolted to a mild steel strap bolted to the bottom of the fork and was wobbly as hell. I wouldn't ride it like that let alone sell it, but it was so close I couldn't leave it alone, it was 80% of the way to being a 70s style California klunker mountain bike. I miraculously found a fork that would fit, so I just had to finish it, and it turned out to be a great home for those ridiculous yellow anodized bars that have been kicking around the coop. I don't know if anyone will buy this thing, but I think it's very cool.
Klunker! by mattface, on Flickr
Last edited by mattface; 09-24-10 at 08:27 AM.
#2
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This is something I like!
Now I have do do something similar. I've had it in the back of my mind for a while anyway......
Now I have do do something similar. I've had it in the back of my mind for a while anyway......
#3
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It kinda weighs a ton (compared to an 80s MTB) but it rides real nice! I rode it to work today. I like to ride my creations around a bit to make sure I have all the bugs worked out, and to have a chance to enjoy them before they are sold.
#4
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Hey Mattface, that is cool, good job.
My daughter & son-in-law live just down the road in Berlin. That bike would be great fun bombing down their mountain, but make sure the brakes are flawless!
My daughter & son-in-law live just down the road in Berlin. That bike would be great fun bombing down their mountain, but make sure the brakes are flawless!
#6
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Thanks David! The front brake was useless before, but it's good now, a new old stock Diacompe Side pull straight from the box. The rear drum is a monster of a thing with big heavy spokes. It's mainly the wheels and the frame that make it such a heavy bike, but it's very solid and has plenty of brake now.
#7
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The rear wheel might have come from an 80s schwinn, but I'm pretty sure this is an older Schwinn frame that's been converted to take that drum brake. THere are no provisions on the frame for cable routing, cables are zip tied and derailer and shifters have shims to mount them on the thin tubing. The front fork was the old flimsy style with no provision for a front brake.
#9
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The rear wheel might have come from an 80s schwinn, but I'm pretty sure this is an older Schwinn frame that's been converted to take that drum brake. THere are no provisions on the frame for cable routing, cables are zip tied and derailer and shifters have shims to mount them on the thin tubing. The front fork was the old flimsy style with no provision for a front brake.
#10
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I've wanted to build a Klunker for years. I'm just waiting for the right frame to come along. I live right across the bridge from where it all started in Marin.
#11
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I might have one for you if interested.
#16
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58' Schwinn American. A recent garbage save.
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Beautiful. I'd recommend a smaller chainring or a bigger cog than Schwinn put on it. I wonder why they geared them so high.
#19
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I found it in an online catalog. It's an F24C. It weighed 45 1/2 pounds when it was new and complete. The chainguard has surface rust, but it's straight. Don't these have an odd size stem?
https://www.schwinnbike.com/aut/eng/f...7&d=1230399750
https://www.schwinnbike.com/aut/eng/f...7&d=1230399750
Last edited by Grand Bois; 09-26-10 at 08:58 PM.
#20
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This one had a regular 22.2 stem, but it has an odd size stem NOW. I guess the fork I found must have been a 26' BMX fork. as luck would have it I also had a BMX stem that matched the crazy bars.
I rode it to work the day after I built it and my friend Zoe fell in love with it at first sight, so it's hers now.
I rode it to work the day after I built it and my friend Zoe fell in love with it at first sight, so it's hers now.
#21
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You know I've got a mountain bike fork that would fit one of these things but it has canti bosses on it. I'm never gonna gt around to it. Anyone want it?
#22
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It would have to be from a very large mountain bike. The head tubes on these are long.
I've decided to donate mine to the custodians at the local school after I rehab it. The campus is large, so they use a bicycle to get around. The trouble is that there are two custodians and only one bike. I plan to put on a large front basket for cleaning supplies.
The bike is ridiculously heavy. I have a sore back today from lifting it onto the stand.
I've decided to donate mine to the custodians at the local school after I rehab it. The campus is large, so they use a bicycle to get around. The trouble is that there are two custodians and only one bike. I plan to put on a large front basket for cleaning supplies.
The bike is ridiculously heavy. I have a sore back today from lifting it onto the stand.
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Put this one together over the weekend, with a 1940's skiptooth frame and a bunch of "BMX" parts I had laying around. Rides very nice........ . I want your gold bars!!
#25
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Awesome! We've got a second pair of identical gold bars at the coop I'd be happy to send them to you for a reasonable donation to the coop.