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Old 01-31-12 | 11:59 PM
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Bikes: 1966 Raleigh DL-1 Tourist, 1973 Schwinn Varsity, 1983 Raleigh Marathon, 1994 Nishiki Sport XRS

Cheapo project

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....!
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Originally Posted by bragi "However, it's never a good idea to overgeneralize."
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Old 02-01-12 | 12:14 AM
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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.
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Old 02-01-12 | 12:30 AM
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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.
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Originally Posted by bragi "However, it's never a good idea to overgeneralize."
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Old 02-01-12 | 04:41 AM
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Bikes: Giant Excursion, Raleigh Sports, Raleigh R.S.W. Compact, Motobecane? and about 20 more! OMG

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...

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Old 02-01-12 | 07:02 AM
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leave it bare until a nice layer of patina (rust) develops then preserve with clear coat.
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Old 02-01-12 | 07:05 AM
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Originally Posted by yellowjeep
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.
I have a Varsity that I turned into a grocery getter townie.



But that was a minimal build. More of an evolution, really.
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Originally Posted by bragi "However, it's never a good idea to overgeneralize."
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Old 02-01-12 | 07:56 AM
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Bikes: Focus trash find commuter, Eddy Merckx Corsa, BP Stealth TT bike, Leader 720 TT bike, Boardman Comp Hybrid drop bar conversion, Quantec CX budget cyclocross build, SerottaNOS frameset ready to build up!

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?
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Old 02-01-12 | 08:25 AM
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Decoupage that beast!
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Old 02-01-12 | 01:20 PM
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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.
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Old 02-01-12 | 01:24 PM
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Thinking about metallic light blue, with a cream colored head tube and maybe seat tube.
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Originally Posted by bragi "However, it's never a good idea to overgeneralize."
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Old 02-01-12 | 10:40 PM
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Cool, the wheel hasn't sold yet. I'm going over Saturday to look at it.
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Originally Posted by bragi "However, it's never a good idea to overgeneralize."
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Old 02-01-12 | 11:01 PM
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Bikes: 1966 Raleigh DL-1 Tourist, 1973 Schwinn Varsity, 1983 Raleigh Marathon, 1994 Nishiki Sport XRS

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:
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Originally Posted by bragi "However, it's never a good idea to overgeneralize."

Last edited by Doohickie; 02-02-12 at 03:10 PM.
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Old 02-04-12 | 02:50 PM
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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.

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Originally Posted by bragi "However, it's never a good idea to overgeneralize."

Last edited by Doohickie; 02-07-12 at 09:15 AM.
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Old 02-04-12 | 11:26 PM
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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.
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Originally Posted by bragi "However, it's never a good idea to overgeneralize."
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Old 02-09-12 | 09:21 PM
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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.
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Originally Posted by bragi "However, it's never a good idea to overgeneralize."
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Old 02-12-12 | 03:56 PM
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Bikes: 1966 Raleigh DL-1 Tourist, 1973 Schwinn Varsity, 1983 Raleigh Marathon, 1994 Nishiki Sport XRS

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

The Whip:


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Originally Posted by bragi "However, it's never a good idea to overgeneralize."
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Old 02-12-12 | 04:12 PM
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Looks nice. You've got me wanting to build a SS now.
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Old 02-12-12 | 06:06 PM
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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.
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Originally Posted by bragi "However, it's never a good idea to overgeneralize."

Last edited by Doohickie; 02-12-12 at 06:33 PM.
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Old 03-03-12 | 01:35 PM
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26 miles on The Whip yesterday. It needs a different saddle, but with the right fit it's not hideous.





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Originally Posted by bragi "However, it's never a good idea to overgeneralize."
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Old 03-03-12 | 02:10 PM
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Nice indeed... I like the minimalist thing you got going there. What handlebar is on the bike?
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Old 03-04-12 | 08:12 AM
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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.
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Originally Posted by bragi "However, it's never a good idea to overgeneralize."
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Old 03-04-12 | 08:58 PM
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From: Fort Worth, Texas Church of Hopeful Uncertainty

Bikes: 1966 Raleigh DL-1 Tourist, 1973 Schwinn Varsity, 1983 Raleigh Marathon, 1994 Nishiki Sport XRS

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.
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Originally Posted by bragi "However, it's never a good idea to overgeneralize."
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Old 03-12-12 | 06:13 AM
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And with the B66, it's pretty much done.







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

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Originally Posted by bragi "However, it's never a good idea to overgeneralize."
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Old 03-12-12 | 06:49 AM
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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.
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Old 03-12-12 | 07:50 AM
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It's not a Bendix; it's a Sturmey Archer. From Post #16



But yeah... that feeling of feeling like a kid again.... =)
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Originally Posted by bragi "However, it's never a good idea to overgeneralize."

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