neo_pop_71

gone, gone, and gone

Man, it’s killing me… this is my 3rd day in a row that I’ve clicked that magic button that vpc66 spoke about, I keep praying that the seller will update his posting and I’ll be in the right place at the right time and snag that bit of vintage joy. God, the treasure chest of parts is a steal but then on top of that you get a seriously cool race frame for basically free!!! I’ll keep trying with my fingers crossed…

-D-

@vpc66 wrote:

I have a feeling there will be some fun bike related talks going on at Supers D’s house, don’t you just love the planing, search and mock up in your head at the start of a build. I need to save those pictures next time my family gives me a hard time about the bikes and parts in the bike room…I get yelled at because I call them my good babies!
I was going to start with a AM ride but somebody let on that they have a frame that I have want for sometime! By the way you guys get to see it in the pictures post here in shades of grey…

P.S. Hey D what is the string or wire tied to the spokes on the rims of your Daughters Cuda…thought you were going to sell that frame also? What happen, could not bring yourself to do it ?

Yeah man, I’m addicted to that fabulous feeling at the start of a build, the ability to get creative with a bike is definitely something that you get or don’t get. Thankfully pee-wee gets it so we’re already mashing up ideas for colors and part swaps. I know a number of riders who subscribe to that N+1 idea but I don’t share their discipline. It has landed me in hot water plenty of times but it fades away until the next one follows me home.

The wires on my daughter’s ‘Cuda are multicolored LED lights, she saw them on our neighbor’s bike and wanted a set. Once I get the Shikishima done those LEDs are going on that bike, they are part of the master plan she has going. I do plan on selling the 12″ A2Z frame and fork but she needs to grow about 2 more inches to comfortably ride the blue/pink Easton Reflex ALX99 pictured in the back. The Easton is a 14″ frame but it’s late 80’s geometry so it lacks the sloping top tube that the ‘Cuda has, the A2Z has been the best bike for her when it comes to making the 26″ wheel jump from the typical 20″ wheel BMX bike.

Your ’36 Colson had that homemade shim that was acting as a seatpost when I bought it, it was holding the banana seat so I paid no attention to the fact that it’s just a piece of tubing from the hardware store. The Lucky 7 post that I got for the frame is super small but the shim will work just fine, the tubing just needs to be split and have a 1/8th of an inch removed. I would imagine though that you’ll pick up a proper shim instead of that f’ugly hack job. It’ll do for the mock up stage but it has to go for sure!

-D-

p.s. The “Super D” thing makes me think of Super Dave Osborne, it reminds me of watching the Lakers dominate in the late 80’s with my dad because the TV sports guy was always showing his crazy stunts after the game was over.

That B.B. adapter on Ebay looks nice but it’s twice as much as the Bulletproof brand adapter that Niagara sells for $15.88.

http://www.niagaracycle.com/categories/bb-conversion-bp-american-to-euro?gclid=CM6Tt_6D4MICFYKUfgodHgoA7w

Plus, I get happy when I get an order together from Niagara, I refill my allen head bolts (always order extra pairs for water bottle cages), my grease/lubes, and whatever else I need that I buy in bulk.

I like where you’re going with the extended rear fender, having always been into Indian motorcycles, I’ve often thought a custom tank and fenders would look amazing. The guys over at Sick N Twisted are about 15 minutes from my home and they make an Indian fender kit, they also make full side custom fiberglass fenders for the front and rear as well as tanks and partial fenders. As I’ve never built a stretched cruiser before I leaning towards the partial fenders with the tank. Maybe if I sell one of the bikes I’m thinking about cutting from the stable I’ll take that money and buy a set of partial fenders and a tank but first I want to see if I even like riding this beast.

http://www.sickntwisteddesigns.net/fifeinstbecr.html

My enthusiasm for building up a cruiser is paying off, I spent some free time yesterday making some progress. The supports for the sissy bar need to be relocated and the frame drilled but I like how the banana seat is tucked in. The lowest portion of the seat is exactly 24 inches off the ground. I’m digging it but I’m thinking I’m going to need some 165mm, possibly even 155mm BMX cranks to avoid scraping the ground plus turning might be tricky. I’m toying with the idea of getting an American to English bottom bracket adapter, that way I can run a standard square taper bottom bracket and have a lot more choices on cranks and chainrings. I bought a couple sets of cranks for my daughter’s track bike (future build), pretty sure at least one is 165mm. Doing the conversion provides plenty of choices with 9/16ths instead 1/2 inch pedals.

Opinions? Comments? Feedback is always helpful and welcome at this stage of the build, even if you hate it, I’m not thin-skinned.

Thanks!

-D-

Oh man, I totally agree with you about the bike on the cover of the 2015 calendar, that is a true gem. The other bikes are amazing, I’d be more than proud to have built such an awesome rig! The bikes from the past few days have me inspired, so much so that one followed me home. Well, I can’t say it followed me home as it has no drive train nor wheels, more along the lines that I carried it home. It’s long, low, and matte black with a springer front fork and fenders… plenty of design possibilities! I doubt I’ll get too crazy, I’m may just rob the new parts off the 1936 Colson (pictured behind) and build a hooptie for now. Not sure if this frame is one for welding and fabricating but I did come to own it in a spare parts trade, so I very little financially into the build.

I’ll keep ‘ya posted.

Peace,

-D-

p.s. Hey vpc66 & Nord, can you find your frames?

p.p.s. Big V. aka “Mr. Colson” to be proper, your Colson is hidden right out in the open. On the other hand, Nord’s restored Miele frame is well hidden behind my daughter’s track frame that just came back from the powdercoater.

While your getting your fill of amazing and less than amazing bikes on Rat Rod Bikes… please allow me to draw your attention to another tasty bit of bike goodness… check out RUFF Cycles out of Germany.

http://www.ruff-cycles.com/

The red and black cruiser that was BOTD on 12/19/14 is an example of what RUFF Cycles kicks out. What I find especially cool about what they’re doing is they custom make the frames, wheels, seats, bars, forks, etc. and the killer deal is free worldwide shipping!

Here is my present favorite custom creation… speaks to the SoCal Moon Speed Shop of the 1960s, love it!!!