Greetings all,

I just purchased this: https://imgur.com/gAupk

I'd like to convert it into a fixed-gear, or at least a single-speed.

Issues:

1) The guy who sold it to me said that the headset is threadless.
However, upon examining pictures of other Samurais, it looks like quill stems are being used:
https://velospace.org/node/15454
https://bikejournal.com/images/paulbonnersamurai_1.JPG
https://ridewithgps.com/photos/full/12091.jpg
https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mV6-mG-5Oa...0/DSC_3075.JPG

My headset (pictured below) is a Levin CD Tange, which looks like it came with the bike, and doesn't look dissimilar to the bikes pictured above:
https://imgur.com/2ODMR

Does this mean that he was wrong and that my headset takes quill stems? If so, how can I tell which size I need (or are there even different sizes)?

2) I am poor and unskilled. Is it more economical/efficient to build my own wheels, sprockets, and cartridges from parts I find on eBay, craigslist, and Amazon, or should I get a Thruster from WalMart, harvest its parts, and sell the frame?

3) Is it possible to use hybrid wheels on this, or would I be asking for trouble? The fork is like 40-45 mm wide at its narrowest point. Pedaling through grass and hopping curbs is more important than speed to me.

4) Are these dropouts safe for a fixie, or should I opt for a single-speed?
https://imgur.com/4drTP

5) Is this an exhaustive list of what I need? Do I really need specialty tools (bracket wrench, caliper, etc.)? I have ALL the allen wrenches.

a) Wheels/sprocket/cartridge/skewers
b) Bottom bracket & spacers/crank/pedals
c) Stem/handlebars
d) Seat
e) Chain

6) Thanks!

A build from frame will cost you more, with low end parts, than a decent fixed from BikesDirect.com
I built a fixed from a complete 1970's road bike and switched out the rear wheel, handlebars, chain, grips, seatpost, and a new rear tire. That ran me about $140 just to make it rideable as a fixed. It won't win any races or beauty contests though.
how much was the frame?

$80

The headset looks threaded. Most likely, 1" vintage kind. You would need a quill stem. A Thruster from Walmart would have an incorrect stem, but the handlebars & grips you could use. Or you could buy your own piece by piece.

Your dropouts look fine, not a ton of play but workable for tension.

Your frame probably was meant for use with 700c wheels. You can get these tires in various widths & treads, so you can go with a "hybrid look". Maybe 27s....mine was, and the guy said 700c sized ones are within a 1/2" anyways, so whatever.

Your tool list looks pretty good, as does your needed parts. Check out the beginner's sticky at the top of the forum in blue, they are a great help & a wealth of links & info. Make sure you check out the Sheldon Brown links!

Oh, and welcome!

To answer your specific questions

1. Your bike is does have a threaded fork, wich means that is is a threaded headset, and a quill stem. The quil part(the part that goes into the fork) is a standard size, they are all the same. But there are a few different sized handlebars, so you have to make sure the clamp on the stem matches the bars.

2. The thruster and all other low end fixed gears get a good amount of their cost cutting from finding factories that have left over parts of odd sizes, Bikes Direct is notorious for this. So while you will be able to get some parts off of one of those bikes there would be a lot of waste.

3. I do not know what you mean by hybrid wheels. Any hybrid bike that I have seen has been geared, adn you said you want to make it a single speed. And most hybrids are built on 26" wheels, and this bike took 27". With longer reach brakes you can use 700c wheels, which gives you a lot more options for singlespeed wheels. It looks like you will be able to fit some pretty wide tires in the frame though, which is what I think you are really asking.

4. Those dropouts have plenty of room to build a fixed or singlespeed, so it is up to you.

5. Here is the full list of parts, and probably all the tools you will need to put the bike together.

Complete wheelset(will come with axles, so no need for skewers)
Cog and lockring (if fixed gear)
Freewheel(if single speed
2 Rim strips
2 Tubes
2 Tires
Bottom bracket
Cranks(will most likely come with chainring)
Chain
pedals
Clips and straps(nessisary if riding fixed, a good idea for single speed)
seat
Stem
Handlebars
Bar tape, grips, etc(depending on bar type)
Brakes(lever, caliper, cable, and housing)


Tools:
15mm box wrench(for wheels)
spanner for bottom bracket
high quality wire cutter(very high quality, for brakes)
Grease
Chain oil



Just in case you were wondering this is a terrible idea. Bikes are simpler than a lot of other things, but they are not like making a PB & J. This will cost you much more money than you think, it will be much more frustrating that you imagine, and you will have to buy parts more than once. Good luck.

Thanks guys! Can I use any bottom bracket, or do I need to get a certain size (for Shogun) or type (for fixie setup)?

Actually there are a couple of different diameters. If you're digging through parts bins just make sure you don't get a road stem for an olde Schwinn, Peugeot, etc. They're skinnier.

The crankset you chose dictates the size of bottom bracket you need.

Thats a nice looking frame, you should take your time and build a classy singlespeed/fixed with road drops, hoods, both brakes and full fenders.
I've been looking for a frame similar to that one, with forward facing dropouts and eyelets for racks and fenders, for a future project, they make great long distance riding/commuter bikes.
Have fun with this one, ti should become a great bike.

I think this thread should be shut down now. You have no idea what you are doing, you are going to screw up a lot, you are going to come on and ask a hundred questions that none of us can answer.

^^^^^ This

This is not easy and will cost a lot. It's a cool frame, either sell it to buy a new bike or save it and build it up once you have acquired the necessary knowledge - in a year or so.