My new 85yo SS
 

So, I had a Masi SS/Fixie for a while, but sold it last year. I usually ride geared bikes. A Salsa Vaya for touring and commuting and a Specialized carbon for hitting the road. One of my hobbies is restoring vintage bikes. Mostly cruisers from the 30s-50s. I came across this skinny tire 1928 Elgin the other day. It was a little rough for restoring, but still kind of cool in its own way, so I decided to build a single speed out of it. I had a friend lace up some Origin8 Deep V and off I went. The stem is a little tall. The way the inside of the fork is made, it is in as far as it will go. I've ordered a new one. Also I am not sure about the bars I chopped up. I might turn them around like bull horns. I need to get out on it and see how it feels. Anyway, thought I would share my new 85yo bike.


http://www.watsonfx.com/sr1.jpg

http://www.watsonfx.com/sr2.jpg

http://www.watsonfx.com/sr3.jpg

That's quite a bike.

That looks pretty cool.

Nice!

That bikes ****ing awesome.

Pretty cool.

You had me until the deep V rims... they might be great wheels but are wrong in every way on that bike.

Excellent!

+1

Needs wooden hoops.

I kinda like them, although borderline blasphemy, sort of like putting big rims on an old cadillac. not like that really works.

But I like it.

its wrong, but so is this:

http://image.musclemustangfastfords....33_hot_rod.jpg

lol you thought my thinking

The Elgin was built in the days of steel rims... most bikes that were originally equipped with wooden rims had those replaced in the 1920's with new steel rims that stood up better and did not warp in the rain.

When I did up my 1951 CCM I did opt for alloy rims and a few modernish bits... the factory style rims are still available as repops for about $12.00 each in steel and when I get around to it will build up a set with these.

Many folks think this bike is older than it is... not that 62 isn't old for a bike.

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikep...path1sepia.JPG

The Elgin is wonderful save for those fugly wheels.

Thanks for all the comments. I appreciate it.

I do get the deep V comments. I restore vintage bikes and certainly appreciate the "originals", but for this bike, I wanted something a little blasphemous as someone else put it. Based on the design and front wheel mounting, the best I can tell, this bike is a 1928. The bike would have originally had 28" wheels, springer seat, fenders, skiptooth chain, pull back braced handlebars, headlight and probably a tank....more of a cruiser than a road bike if that makes sense. The frame was too rough and there were too many part missing to make it a worthy restoration. I just liked what's left of the paint and cool stance of the frame and think the black on black deep V give it a killer look. It gets a lot of comments (good and bad) and that's a cool thing. Obviously, not an homage to the original, but that's ok. When I find a 28er with better paint, I'll go the original direction.

It rides like a dream. I plan to enter it in the local monthly time trial this spring. It is a 10mile, flat course. I usually ride it every month anyway, but I thought it would be cool to see what kind of time I can turn on this old girl.

sweet.. i want a frame like that to make a clunker

I kind of like the look of the modern wheels vs the obviously old frame. If its not worth restoring you might as well have fun with it. :) Besides making a franken bike out of this and that is always my idea of fun!

Nice ride, the wheels are both a maker and/or a breaker. If it is a daily rider, made; resto, broken.

I'd have to agree with you that commentary on your bike, good or bad, says something about your rebuild. Regardless of accuracy, you've restored an old, old, OLD bike into working order, and that in itself is commendable.

You've created something very worthy. Good job man.

I like.

Great looking bike. From the side, the deep vee wheels look great because they are flat black.

I would love to ride it on our Monday night casual group ride, 'cause that crowd would appreciate that bike.

That is a sick bike

I'd hit it

Thanks again for the feedback. The frame/fork had been hanging on the wall in an old garage for a while. The paint was more of a rust color when I got my hands on it. I took some .000 steel wool and a can of WD40 to it and scuffed off the surface dirt/rust. It's hard to see in the pics, but you can still see some of the beige dart accents in the paint. I think it had a frame repair long ago as the paint has some blacken areas on the seat stays like it had been heated up. It seems sturdy and solid. Believe it or not, it really isn't that heavy.

Here is what she looked like when I found her. I pulled the skiptooth crank and chain and stashed them away just in case.

http://www.watsonfx.com/elgin_1.jpg

Holy crap! it looks like one of those lawn art things.