Bare Metal Electra

[hewey]

This is my 'Electra Custom'. Doesn't seem to be a common model, but I love the shape of the frame with the middle tube. Only been ridden a couple of times, still in near mint condition. Time to pull it apart

The overall plan is build a tough take on the Delivery model, with a bit of attitude. Frame will be brushed bare aluminum, create a custom tank insert, and hand painted signage on the sides. Signage is yet to be decided on, and I want to look at options to mount the grip shifter somewhere else to keep the lines clean. Definitely trying to do this on a minimal budget to keep costs down.

 

[The Renaissance Man]

Great looking stance right out of the gate!

 

[G-Matt]

Cool frame sounds good [emoji106]


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[kingfish254]

Great beginning point.

 

[OddJob]

Yep, as a guy with two builds that 'filled the space' I'm digging your idea of a delivery wagon! Some great space and curves to work with in that frame. Rat on!

 

[LukeTheJoker]

Nice start Hewey!

Luke.

 

[OneHorsePower]

This is my 'Electra Custom'. Doesn't seem to be a common model, but I love the shape of the frame with the middle tube. Only been ridden a couple of times, still in near mint condition. Time to pull it apart

The overall plan is build a tough take on the Delivery model, with a bit of attitude. Frame will be brushed bare aluminum, create a custom tank insert, and hand painted signage on the sides. Signage is yet to be decided on, and I want to look at options to mount the grip shifter somewhere else to keep the lines clean. Definitely trying to do this on a minimal budget to keep costs down.

Good looking bike already , should end-up awesome!
Great drawing skill too

 

[hewey]

Thanks guys. I've been working weekends so have been busy, but finally made the time tonight to get in and strip her down. Once the bottom bracket is off, it's time to strip her down.

 

[hewey]

So I've got a Brooks in the parts stash which my wife gave to me a couple of years back for my birthday, thinking it's about time to get it on to a bike. Bike is at the shop currently getting the bottom bracket out, when it's back I can strip off the paint. The Brooks might change the theme a little, but still going the bare aluminum look. Also looking into fork options too.

 

[Chad T]

Another aluminum bike! Cool looking frame.

 

[hewey]

Started to strip the frame. The silver section next to the seat tube is where a decal protected the paint. Ironically changing from silver to bare metal isn't a huge change, so is difficult to see where I'm up to.

Still a fair bit to tidy up and refinish, but mocked it up with the Brooks saddle just to see what it looks like.

 

[hewey]

Been busy, so haven't made much more progress on the bike at this stage. Getting home after dark and it being winter here doesnt help the motivation to get out in the garage at night!

The weather was beautiful on the weekend, so the wife and I took our bikes to Sydney Olympic Park (where they held the 2000 Olympics) for a cruise around. It was great, but the experience might see a slight change of build inspiration for build off Electra. Anyway here's a pic of our lunch with our bikes.

 

[OddJob]

Diggin' both your rides. It's cool your wife is into the vintage bike scene as well. Can't get mine off her high end hybrid with the road tires for nutin'. Course, she leaves me in the dust on most rides too....

 

[hewey]

Thanks Oddjob. Yeh she loves all kinds of old things - cars, cruiser bikes, music, architecture - probably why I married her!

Anyway, on that ride we took the picnic lunch in a small cooler bag which I had over my shoulder. The thing was a complete pain and kept swinging around and shifting off my back while I was riding, so I figured it was a great time to alter my build plans a little, and make it a little more Electra Delivery inspired. I'm still waiting on my new fork to come in to the local bike shop, but today I picked up a few more pieces for the build. Firstly a Basil Portland Porteur Front Rack. It comes in polished alloy and looks fantastic. The second item I picked up was a brushed alloy Crane bell, in keeping with the alloy theme. Also got out for a ride on my Dyno while I was out too.

Today's sunrise

My shiny new rack and brushed bell

And a pic of the bell, to show how it matches the brushed frame.

 

[OneHorsePower]

Sweet another rack in the BO! its a nice rack , can' wait to see it all togeter with all the chrome and bare metal

 

[OddJob]

Good choice on the rack and bell! Yes, rule #1 is always keep the weight off the rider and use the bike's natural structure to carry the load. Should be visually stunning as well!

 

[krazykort]

I'm digging that rack, where'd you find it? It would look perfect on my road bike.

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[hewey]

Thanks guys The main thing I'm worried about at this stage is the mix of colours and finishes. I've got a black fork on order, the frame is brushed, and the rack is polished. We'll see how it looks when the fork comes in and I can mock it up better. And then I can work out whether I want to do my tank/sign inserts from timber or metal etc too. And a couple of other ideas I'm sitting on for now.

I'm digging that rack, where'd you find it? It would look perfect on my road bike.

Hey mate, the rack brand is Basil, they're from the Netherlands. http://www.basil.nl/gb/assortment/ I managed to get one in a local bike shop that specialises in European style bikes for commuters. I did find some on ebay too from international sellers, but with shipping it was cheaper to buy it locally. If it's going to be used daily and cop a lot of use, maybe consider a stainless one from someone like Soma. The aluminum of the Basil racks is more prone to stress fractures, but given mine will only be uses sporadically I'm not too worried about it.

They also do a version with a side rail as well. And yes they look great on the right bike

 

[hewey]

Couldn't help myself, had to go out to the garage and do a quick mock up with a spare fork (which is the wrong size) to get an idea of how she will look.

And some pics from today's ride, this is the Blue Mountains, about 2 hours west of the Sydney CBD. Just enough snow to cover the ground, most of it had melted by mid day.

 

[Chad T]

Black fork looks good with a bare frame. Look forward to seeing this put together.

Rack looks great with the frame!