Kicking around an idea.... I have a ca. 1990 Nishiki hybrid frame in the garage, and there is a 2-spd kickback wheel on CL that I hope to get. I'm thinking either path racer or townie style coffee bike/pub crawler. Something for around the neighborhood.

I guess if I get the wheel, the first step will be rattle canning the frame. What color? Something old timey like a celeste or pale yellow or creme pastel? Something metal flakey, maybe red or blue?

Come on, CL guy, email me back about that wheel....!

I have a pretty sweet Varsity (if you can actually say that) that I have been thinking of doing something similar with... Looking forward to seeing what you come up with might be the inspiration I need.

If I don't get the wheel, the heat will be off, but I still may start the project. I got a disassembled Bendix 2-speed from another BFer and I haven't yet begun to do anything with it. If I don't get the CL wheel, maybe it'll be time to dig that one up and see if I can make it work.

I have an mid 80's cruiser frame that I am going to put a Bendix 2 speed on, rat rod style. I got my frame primed a while back. Originally was going to go with a black and orange paint job...

Aaron

leave it bare until a nice layer of patina (rust) develops then preserve with clear coat.

I have a Varsity that I turned into a grocery getter townie.



But that was a minimal build. More of an evolution, really.

I recently finished a late 90s Focus hybrid frame that had been dumped round the corner from us here in Frankfurt with a broken back wheel and bottom bracket.

It´s back in business as a cyclocross-inspired drop bar forest track bombarounder. I´ve replicated my road position on it (tiny bit less drop) and it´s now my winter outdoor training back.

I had an absolute blast in the woods on it this morning until my toes went numb.

It might be my new favourite bike. Who´d have thought it?

Decoupage that beast!

Go to an auto parts store and buy a can of paint that matches your car. At best pick a color you like, not what I like.

Thinking about metallic light blue, with a cream colored head tube and maybe seat tube.

Cool, the wheel hasn't sold yet. I'm going over Saturday to look at it.

Duh. I don't have to worry about the colors on the frame; I forgot I have my wrecked Raleigh Marathon. I had a problem with the derailleur and the hanger got pulled around. I can cut it off and then close up the dropout. I liked that bike and was kind of bummed when the frame got messed up. Time to resurrect it.

Before:

Well, I got the wheel. Seems to be in pretty good shape, and the hub works okay. I'm gonna throw a tire on it and run it a bit on my Schwinn Cutter to check it out.

As for the frame... here it is


And here is a closeup of the damage:


A slight clamp and hammer massage yielded something functional, if not aesthetically pleasing:


Yep, wrenching on a bike and watching hockey. Hard to think of a better way to spend an evening.

Progress. Serviced the bottom bracket, put some cranks on (42-17 gearing; the two speed hub is 1.00/1.38). Cheapo seat (actually the one that originally came on the bike), a stem and (for now) a flat bar. Ultimately I'm thinking of northroad/cruiser bars and a leather saddle. Mechanically it still needs brake cables, levers, and chain.



A couple of swap meets coming up should help me with the parts I still need.

Bike Swap success! New handlebars, pedals, got a chain and brakes on it, took it for its first test ride.

The Whip:

Looks nice. You've got me wanting to build a SS now.

Go for it. This, by the way, it *is* a two speed, although it looks single-speedy.

What size frame do you use (or how tall are you)? I may have something you can start with in my garage.

26 miles on The Whip yesterday. It needs a different saddle, but with the right fit it's not hideous.

Nice indeed... I like the minimalist thing you got going there. What handlebar is on the bike?

I have no idea. I picked them up, including grips, at a swap meet three weeks ago. I was looking for something more like north road bars, but I got these big cruisers instead. Quite a different ride from what I'm used to. I like 'em.

And thanks to Yo Spiff, I have a new seat for The Whip. He sold me an old B66 he had layin' around that he wasn't using. Too bad I have to pack for a business trip and won't be able to do anything about it before I get back.

And with the B66, it's pretty much done.







Did 30 miles on it Sunday night. This pic by Yo Spiff:

Very nice. I love bikes like this. Riding them makes me feel like a kid again.

As a side note, hope you used spoke washers on your Bendix. I skipped that step on my 2 speed project & ended up with 4 broken spokes after the first 100 miles.

It's not a Bendix; it's a Sturmey Archer. From Post #16



But yeah... that feeling of feeling like a kid again.... =)