'38 Special ------ Update July 2nd

[kingfish254]

That's one of the great things about this site. When someone comes up with a cool idea, they usually don't just post two pics of it like "Here is the PVC pipe, and here it is as my awesome tank!". Most people know that others will want to know how it was done, so by nature we take photos as we progress along with the execution of the idea.

AWESOME TANK! Outstanding idea and documentation! Love your build so far.

[Road Master]

Thanks everybody for the praise and support - I feel like I just won the Nobel Prize or something. I've been studying some more Board Tracker Pics and I believe my next project is going to be the Oil Tank and Rear Fender which means I need to get the tires I'm going to use on at least the back wheel. Gotta do some errands today so I'll incorporate a trip to my storage space in with the rest. TBC! Robert

[Road Master]

Hi! Someone wanted to see pics of the handlebar I was sanding down w/ a palm sander. These pics aren't that great but the bars do look a lot better. I'm still trying to get the hang of chrome & glossy surfaces w/ my camera.






Before I can proceed with the oil tank and bobbed fender I needed to get the correct tires on so I played musical tires today. I tried these Cream Fat Franks on my Dyno Roadster but after the 3" Kenda Flames I just wasn't impressed so off w/ the FF and put the Kenda's back on. Then took the Red Bricks off and put the Fat Frank's on the new build - more better.






Bobbed Fender will be next - the length cuts off just inside the mount close to the seat tube. Then I can fit an oil tank in the remaining space.




So this is what I have now - I like the Fat Franks on this and the frame just happens to be about the color I'm going to paint it to match the tires. This is a pretty good mockup of how it will look. TBC! Robert

[yoothgeye]

You call that a mock-up, I call it DONE! I love it!

[Peatbog]

You call that a mock-up, I call it DONE! I love it!

Agreed, but I'd want a seat. That is a cool bike.

[jerrykr]

I don't say this often, but I would not paint that frame. I love it just the way it is. One of these days, I'm going to paint one with house paint and knock half of it off just like this!

[Jake Sensi]

You call that a mock-up, I call it DONE! I love it!

I was just thinking the same thing! Lol

[Road Master]

Hi! Unfortunately it took me a few days to locate a jig saw to cut my fender with. I gave all my construction tools to my oldest son about 5 years ago when he got his own place - a fixer upper. But I finally found a neighbor that did not want to use his anymore so I've got one to work with for the duration.

I tried fitting some old late 40s Higgins Colorflow fenders first but the sides were so deep I though I might get into trouble w/ the Fat Frank rubbing if it wasn't perfectly true, which it's not yet. Then I remembered a rear fender I had in the garage from my 1936 Hawthorne that someone had bobbed. I've since replaced the bobbed one w/ a complete rear fender so I thought I'd try that one. The sides were 3/4" shorter than the Higgins plus the fender brace is closer to the correct era. Being a '36 the fender is just rounded instead of peaked like they started using in '38. It fit fine.















In my research the board trackers just hacked off a hunk of fender and slapped it on if they had one at all. So I thought I could make quick work of this and move on, but once I got there I wanted a nicer looking job. All the fender pics I had seen were cut off square on both ends but I wanted the trailing end exposed on top of the wheel to look a little more "finished". So I used the Higgins front fender as a pattern and traced a nice curve on the new fender. I picked up these metallic silver Sharpies which I don't use often but when I'm trying to mark a black or dark surface they are great. The only down side is you have to store them standing on their head or they will dry up. I then removed the fender brace for relocation. I reused the factory crimps in the sides of the fender to locate the fender before layout and cutting.







After I cut the fender I noticed the fender brace mounting tabs looked like doodoo where the previous owner had just hacked the other brace off at the point they are joined together - not my style. I drew a line simulating a factory end and used the jigsaw on it. I then touched up all of the fender and brace cuts with a file and then sandpaper so it is user friendly. About 2-3 years ago there was a flooding of fender brace bolts on ebay. I was lucky enough to score a quantity of 100 very cheap per. Have you noticed what they are asking for them now? I'm pretty sure I have enough to finish my bike building career.

















I wanted the spacing between the tire and the fender to be consistent so the first thing I did was grind off the extra fender bolt lengths with my Dremel to insure clearance and then cut a 2" 10-32 Bolt to the correct length I needed to hold down the end of the fender that mounts to the frame. (Note - as an electrician we have these peachy keen combination pliers that we only use for cutting off #6, 8 & 10 bolts without damaging the threads - you can get an inexpensive generic brand model at most places and still cuts bolts fine). I finally had to take the wheel off to tighten down the frame bolt - I was hoping to get away without doing that.

















I found a pair of Union Rat Trap Pedals in a tub full of parts so I switched them out with the rubber block ones. The handlebars that I had been sanding I finished by applying a coat of clear to protect it from rusting in the pits I sanded down. I had these unique red grips I wanted to try but they had been on a curve bar so the ends are stretched - have to get something else. You will be seeing this color again. While I was resting I took my cordless with a wire brush attachment and ground all the rust off the drive side of the chain. This chain ain't purty but it is flexible making it useable for a poor man's buildoff bike.







NOW I'm ready to make the oil tank. This like the gas tank will be purely a simulation of size and shape - not function. I'm still tossing around mounting ideas for the tail pipes that won't damage the frame. I measured the distance between the Fat Frank and the back side of the crank and the largest pipe I will be able to use with some space is 1" - not as large as I wanted but it will get the job done. Guess that's all I have for today. TBC! Robert

[chepe13]

Coolest bike so far. I'll take this style over anything any day.

[char]

Looking cool! Love it!

[Fisch]

This build just bumped up on my awesome list. I would hesitate to paint it myself. It looks so legit as is. But I am having the same debate in my head about my build.

[Von Stans]

I love the details you have put into your ride so far I may have to steel your idea for adjusting the distance from your tire to fender I was trying to figure out how I was going to get mine closer...

Great build so far I love the patina but there is nothing wrong with a good paint job either

[Road Master]

Thanks for all the support guys! Everyone is welcome to steal any ideas you see here - they are not all mine to begin with. I wanted to definitely make everyone aware of the easy to use bolt cutters. You simply cut the bolt and then back it out w/ a screwdriver and it cleans the threads as it goes. I use this all the time on my builds so I can get exactly what I want without having to run down to Lowes and find something usable. Have Fun everybody - that's what it's all about! Robert

[MplsCoaster]

This is one cool build!!

[yoothgeye]

Definitely a bike that will make people stop, doubletake, and ask stupid questions. I love it.