BO15 I Can't Afford the Gas

[SoulGarageOH]

I was going to do a strand / BMX cruiser using a Schwinn Speedster camelback frame, but @ParkRNDL posted his first, so I will graciously concede that idea to him. I think they may have been too similar.
So! I've decided to tackle this 59' Schwinn Spitfire for a rat build. After all, as many have already noted, it IS the year of the rat. And, after thinking of ideas for it, I've embraced plan "B" as my new plan "A."

 

[ParkRNDL]

Awwww shucks. There's plenty of room for camelbacks in this build-off. That said, that Spitfire makes for a great starting point too...

 

[OddJob]

Great bike to start with, SoulG!
RaT oN~!

 

[Rat Pilot]

Leaving the green and white??

Something about that color combo just does it for me!

 

[SoulGarageOH]

Leaving the green and white??

Something about that color combo just does it for me!

I’m not touching the paint, except to clean it up a bit. I also like the color.


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[rickpaulos]

Awwww shucks. There's plenty of room for camelbacks in this build-off. That said, that Spitfire makes for a great starting point too...

Good. And thanks. I picked up a Speedster camelback saturday am and it has me inspired.
Rick

 

[kingfish254]

That is a killer color combo.

 

[MattiThundrrr]

Green bikes are fastest!

 

[SoulGarageOH]

Rear hub harvesting...

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[SoulGarageOH]

Choices, choices. Bendix 70, Red Band, or a Mattatuck.

There’s little more satisfying in bike building than cleaning these up and making them look brand new again.


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[SoulGarageOH]

Today could be a big parts acquisition day for “I Can’t Afford the Gas.” Photo updates at 11:00! Or whenever.


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[SoulGarageOH]

Today could be a big parts acquisition day for “I Can’t Afford the Gas.” Photo updates at 11:00! Or whenever.


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I mean tomorrow

 

[OddJob]

Happy hunting! Looking forward to seeing what you 'bag' today.

 

[SoulGarageOH]

New treads, apes, saddle, and truss rods. Not sure if I’m sold on the tan seat. Still waiting for a gadget or two. Still collecting things to throw at it. Hopefully get a chance soon to start dissembling and cleaning.


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[MattiThundrrr]

Not sure if I’m sold on the tan seat.

Definitely looks unusual, the way it's mounted!

 

[SoulGarageOH]

It’s like Christmas!!


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[SoulGarageOH]

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[SoulGarageOH]

I began to attack the wheels. I’m planning to keep the rims, use a different hub, and new spokes. To me, nothing freshens up wheels like new spokes.

The spokes were seized up and so rusty that they just snapped when I turned the spoke wrench, so I ended up cutting them all with my Dremel / grinding wheel.

Dry as a bone inside the hub.

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[Scribble]

PB blaster and a blow torch lighter world have save the OG spokes. Ive done it, to the detriment of my mind

 

[kingfish254]

I like the rims with the striping. Great patina too