"Orange County Rat Chop-Suey" Update 9-12

[FunkyStickman]

Here we go, got some new M6 bolts to put the fork back together! They were 2 for $1 at Lowes.



Putting the bolts in.


Frame and fork back together!


Love the red on black...


Here's the 170mm alloy crank I had leftover from a 24" MTB I used to have (and put hundreds of miles on)... I will replace the 32T chainring with a newer one, but otherwise, it's good as-is.

[FunkyStickman]

Put the bottom bracket in (which was a royal pain) and slapped the temp wheels on it to see how it sits. It's a 24" in the back, and a 26" in front.

The wife says "Those high hanger bars would look stupid." Good thing she's not riding it.

[FunkyStickman]

Ordered a seatpost, bars, tires, and a few other bits and pieces today. I'm still waiting on rebuilding the wheels, but the bike will be ridable (as a single-speed with no brakes) this week!

[Fireproof]

My daughter's O.C.C. has apes . . . I don't think they look stupid, and they make the bike easier to ride for an adult!
Can't wait to see this with the three-inch rear tire!

[stretch]

looks great! can barely notice it sits higher.i like your idea of a long distance stingray.

[FunkyStickman]

Thanks, Fireproof. I went with some bars that aren't apes, but something that will help, they were only $12 so I had to try them!


I may go with apes later on, who knows... I think they look awesome, but I'm going for comfort first. After the tour, we'll see.

looks great! can barely notice it sits higher.i like your idea of a long distance stingray.

Much thanks, the only other one I've heard of being ridden long distances was converted to a 3-speed using the original rear wheel (Sturmey makes an extra-wide 3-speed hub) and a Schlumpf overdrive planetary 2-speed crank.

Don't bother looking for the Schlumpf cranks, they're about $1500 a pop! I decided I could go to a 3" rear tire and put a Sturmey 8-speed hub with drum brake for $140, hard to beat that!

For what it's worth, I've seen a few Sturmey 8-speed hubs for sale, but http://www.ebikestop.com has the lowest price I could find by a large margin. I even considered getting one of their drum hubs that works with 7-speed freewheels! But they're $75 for one, and I figured after everything, I'd just as soon get the internal gear model. No need to worry about derailer clearance.

[FunkyStickman]

Update: Packages from Big Brown have been showing up on my doorstep... here's the bike with bars, pedals, and the front whitewall installed. Should get the rear tire and seatpost in the next day or two, then I can begin focusing on rebuilding the wheels.

[onelesspedestrian]

I have never liked these bikes, and a friend of mine even has one of these frames, which I was not interested in...... until seeing this thread, that is.

Congrats! you've put ANOTHER project into my head.

[FunkyStickman]

I have never liked these bikes, and a friend of mine even has one of these frames, which I was not interested in...... until seeing this thread, that is.

Congrats! you've put ANOTHER project into my head.

LOL! You're welcome. Gonna have some fun with this one. Wait till you see the grips I got in!

[Boris]

Lvin what your doin with this bike ...we just got one for my son ....see your also a blues bro man may change my avator to keep you company!! lol!!

[FunkyStickman]

:D Lvin what your doin with this bike ...we just got one for my son ....see your also a blues bro man may change my avator to keep you company!! lol!!

Much thanks, my good man! I learned how to play the blues harp because of Elwood Blues... maybe one of these days I'll get around to posting up some videos of me playing the blues on the sax, guitar, and harp.

Also, got the Felt ThickBrick whitewall in today, and all I can say is: WOW! The tire is NICE! Highly recommended thus far, it's a beautiful tire. Cannot wait to get it on the road!

Sadly, since my good camera was broken by my kids, I will have to use my old camera to finish documenting the build... thankfully I have a tripod, it takes horrid pictures otherwise.

[Boris]

Realy enjoying watching how this project is progressing...my 10yr old has just got one.....but he wants it leaving 'as is' for now as he is enjoying riding it so much, we will wait till the winter !

[FunkyStickman]

Put on the grips, the Thick Brick, seat and post, and due to lack of a budget, I'm considering putting a regular 7-speed rear on it. I still need brakes, so if I can find a rear disk/drum hub for cheap, I'll use that. But still, it's not done, here's the latest:

[ej599]

Very nice. I like the tire combo.

[ratina]

I never thought a skinnier tire would look good on the back of an OCC...but wow does your bike look good. Definitely one of the best custom occ's I've seen!