>>> SINGLESPEED HOTROD >>> done

[skillsthebarber]

here is a half link chain

[ratina]

thats a slick looking bike. Love what you did to the front sprocket

[JoKeR63]

I was thinking just 1 half link, Yikes!



You'll need to use 1/8" chain, however. Your LBS should have one.

[kram]

Looking good so far Jeff. I like the look of the half link chains and that might solve your adjustment problem. Looking at your inspiration are you planning a second bar and/or and tank plate?

[herr_rudolf]

What I forgot to tell was: I took the seat of my Cartboardtracker-build. I had another one but it hadn't 'aged' as nice as the one on my cartboardtracker, yet. The rubber now has the looks and feel of a nice leather-upholstered seat! Especially with those furniture rivet-like nails pressed into it. The newer seat ended up on my cartboardtracker and the 'aged'-one I put on my Build-off bike. Rather high, ...and this set up made me think of the Little 500 bikes that member Road Master had posted in his build-off thread. (Thanks for refreshing my memory!) My bike will get a lot of black accents, so right behind the forks and the handlebars, the seattube and crancks got a quick mock-up fogging of satin black.

@ Dr Tankenstein...
I almost wanted to buy some sort of chaintool, but got puzzled at the store about what sort I should bring home. I remember there were several and I didn't know which one would suit me best. (and buying tools is definately not as much fun to spend money on than on nice parts... )

Thanks guys for the info on the half chains... (And the pics to make it clear.) That halflink indeed could be another bonafide sollution to a problem that I hope I will not have... But it's nice to know I have options.

@ ratina.
Thanks. The lugnut idea just came to me. I had exactly five of these oversized bolts and also five nuts. It fit, and it immediately reminded me of a classic five-lug pattern you see on most American cars.

@ kram.
Thanks. No second bar for this bike... I haven't learned to weld, yet, so just a tankplate will be the way to go on this build. But I want to keep the plate sleek and rather small. It must enhance the paintjob I'm planning. I've made some sketches of it that I don't wanna share at this moment... Still have 3 months to go...

[herr_rudolf]

Here's some nice vintage footage of balloonbikes in a "Little 500" race! (1957)


Link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KokdajORdec

^ I'm after the vibe of these bikes: Smallframe/balloontire/racingseat high/racingbars low.
Think "vintage functional racebikes" mixed with some Herr Rudolf-styling

[herr_rudolf]

Are the handlebars Velo Orange Porteur's?

Nope. Just some standard bars of an ordinairy Dutch bike. I flipped it upside down though, to achieve vintage style medium dropped racing bars ...and gave em a mock-up satin-black paintjob.

[herr_rudolf]

^ The way I took it home with the 26" wheels, and the way it sits now on the 28s ^

I'm currently VERY busy with work and stuff so I'm glad I've been able to make a good start with my build. I don't think I have time to work on it for some days, maybe weeks. But I'll try to come up with as many excuses as I can to ride it... I'm already convinced it really is a good rider but I'd like to make some miles on this thing. Don't wanna put time and money in a crappy bike that eventually won't get ridden.

It's time for me to stand back and just enjoy the transformation. Sometimes I can't believe it's the same bike.

I think I'm on the right track...

[Gold Street Customs]

I love the fact , that you did all this to a bike you found in the trash, major points for that ! its looking really fast.

[herr_rudolf]

Thanks Gold Street Customs! Me too. Taking a common frame from the trash is the essence of bicycle hotrodding, imho. Gazelle is a decent Dutch brand. The frame was well put together. The hardware that was attached to it was not. But who cares when I'm not going to use that stuff... The bike not only looks fast. With that larger diametre wheel it's easier to reach high speeds than with the 26" wheels

[herr_rudolf]

Some more inspiration for my build. (sorry for the re-post )



CLICK HERE TO PLAY VIDEO ON YOUTUBE >

I may be dedicating this build to these 1957 Dutch BMX pioneers.
I'm thinking bobbed fenders and some sort of racingnumbers/lettering...

[yoothgeye]

Wow, that precedes old school BMX, that's preschool BMX.

[Simplicity Nut]

That's an awsome build! It's great to see someone using an old rigid mountain bike frame.

[Skipton]

Looking great!

[bighit]

I love the transformation from dumpster fodder to rat chic. When it's done allow me to repost.

Make sure you know ow many links you need before you order a half link. They are made short for bmx. I had to order another for my hustler build.