the STRAIGHT 7 special (complete!)

[raised by robots]

Well, here goes nothing. This is my RRBBO2 entry, a simple 1977 schwinn speedster frame.



I have had this frame and fork sitting around for quite a while now. I like the slight cantilever top tube, and the bike looks long and low when its put together right. But this will be a really simple build. For one; im broke, and second; i am pretty busy with school now. I plan on making this bike my comuter bike also, so I want to integrate some versatility into it. A couple weeks back, I ordered a 7speed hub with a compact roller brake. Thats where i came up with the name 'straight 7.'

I plan on giving this bike the now ever popular 'boardtrack racer' style. Here is a sketch of where im heading towards. I would like to get some truss rods and a headlight, but that is pending.


Also, I dont want to paint over the original paint becuase it already looks ok. Since I won't be sporting the flatblack and x color, this bike will really look more like a hot rod than a rat rod. But thanks to Rat Rod for posting this photo in the inspiration thread. This will be my inspiration:




I didn't want to enter my bike for this build off because there are some seriously awesome bikes already being built. But I've got the fever again, and im in this just to have fun and to support you guys(and girls). I hope to see some crazy ideas and killer rat bikes. Good luck, see you in November.

[CCR]

there you are, cant wait !!!

[Rat Rod]

Glad to see you back in the game.

For those who don't know...RBR was the winner of the first RRB Build Off with this beauty.

[xddorox]

Nice to have you in the build. Good luck

[cman]

I love the camel back frames. Welcome back

[raised by robots]

ok, I've had this project sitting around for a couple of months, so I already have a few things done.

I went on a midnight trash dump raid and found some parts off of a junk mountain bike. I stripped the rims, then shined up the chrome hidding underneith all of the rust. I will not be painting the rims for this bike.


I also got a nice comfort seat with some decent springs and padding from the trash, but I will have to post pictures of that later.

Well, I have just moved into a new condo in Nashville and there is not garage to work in anymore. So this is my tiny workspace for now (I know this has nothing to do with the bike, but this is my build off journal right?). This shed cant be more that 7x3 feet or something, it's funny how small it is. Maybe this will inspire someone who thinks they dont have the right 'equipment' to build bikes.

check out the RRBBO1 trophy


I 'mocked up' the bike to show a real visual of what im working with. This is not quite what I will be putting on this bike, its just to give me an idea of what it will look like.

[kingpin]

i would kill for a little shed like yours!! it look very homely...
what did u use to get the rust of those wheels?

brett

[raised by robots]

i would kill for a little shed like yours!! it look very homely...
what did u use to get the rust of those wheels?

brett

hey thanks man, to be honest I like the shed too. But my main tool I use with cleaning up old bikes is steal wool, thats what I used to clean up those rims with. I wouldn't recomend using it on new chrome, but man it seems like you can clean up any old piece of metal with pad of steal wool (I use the finest grain I can find). Just find a seat and start scrubbing, you'll be suprised what you can shine up.

[kingpin]

do u lube it with anything? would it work on a chrome frame as well?


brett

[CCR]

dont mean to butt in but but steel wool and wd40 go hand in hand on makin things shiny again.

does look like a comfy shed ya got there RBR, glad to see it included in the build.

[Hugo]

"I have to work in a little shed."
"I would kill for a little shed like that!"

Ei, that sounds like a Monty Phython skit! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqNGhcdtMbc

Ok, back to bikes...

Hugo

[lurker]

See if you can find brass or aluminium wool, the steel wool will shed tiny splinters into the chrome which will rust up even faster than the chrome.

[kingpin]

ah huh...good tips....ill have to do that

brett

[raised by robots]

ok, i've been doin my homework.

I bought some high cutting wax to try to buff out the oxidation on the paint, but it didn't help. So I unloaded a can of Duplicolor clearcoat on the frame and forks. You cant really see the difference from the pictures, but it looks 10x better for sure. I've got some other schwinns with faded colors that I might do the same thing too.

the whole package:


closeup of the headtube:


Here are the parts I had ordered for this bike a couple weeks ago. There is a 7 speed hyperglide cassette, a shimano free hub with a compact roller brake, shimano derailer, and the front hub came from the dump rims.


I found a bike store close to my new house. I took the rims and hubs to them to get re-spoked. They did an awesome job, the spokes look great. with the rims and the bike. I also got some awesome kenda cruiser 2.125 tires.



I ran out of daylight when I was putting the bike together, so I will have to finish and take some more pics tomorrow. Im working on a seat cover too, I should finish some time soon.

[kingpin]

man its looking awesome!
i love those mexican rugs...are they cheap there? i have a project in mind that i need one for...

brett