20" Rat

[Floyd]

I build this yesterday from a great frame and forks I bought at a swap meet for $22. This is for my kid, so I can't go nuts as its a rider. First is the frame pic. Dunno what it is. Sixties bike. But the cruddy repaint makes it look older.

So yesterday I took some rusty Huffy wheels and cleaned them a bit and threw on some wides. A mock up revealed it was to high. Might be this was set up for a small front wheel?? So.....I just had to rake it! I cut the bottom tube and heated the top and curved it up. I like the look of the upswept top tube meet the head tube. I added to the bottom tube and had the right height. I found a great full length rear fender, and added a springer seat and handgrips from a vintage Columbia. The handlebars aren't quite the apehangers needed for this look, but its needed to be functional. Lastly, I shortened a tandem chainguard and fitted a the front in anticipation of adding the rest. But...it looked cool like that. So thats my quick build. Hope youns like it!

 

[Markm]

cool! You can flip the "dropouts" on that fork to get more rake...
like this:
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=9758

 

[Floyd]

Funny you mention that. I looked at your bike earlier and saw what appears to be the same forks with reversed dropouts. I tested them reversed and found the spring rate too hard. Plus, my kid needs to learn about the geometry difference as it is. But.....yours look cool as heck like that!!

 

[Markm]

gotcha! :mrgreen:

 

[Schwinnspastic]

looks like a Murray built frame with those long drop outs.....a cool little cruiser for sure

 

[Floyd]

So maybe a Murray frame?? The guy I bought it from guessed that too, but couldn't say for sure. I still have alot to learn since I'm new to the hobby. I've been looking at Spaceliner pictures and I really think thats what these forks are. Or are they just similar?

 

[Floyd]

Thought youns might like an update. I added the cool old headlight that was on my trike. Its an old generator one. I want to adapt battery's someday. The Messenger seat was a wrong color one on my newly bought Fleet. I added some metal to the half chainguard, and added a rear handbrake for added safety for my kid on the hills.

 

[The Heron]

That... I'd say that right there is Somethin'!

 

[Markm]

COOL!!
8) 8)

 

[rgallen]

The light did it. Don't change a thing. It has reached maturity with the light. It's cool.

 

[Danimal]

Cool bike. Absolutely a Murray frame and fork.

 

[The Heron]

.....I just had to rake it!....

I admit -- I'm a skimmer and a photo-junkie. I had previously checked out this build and completely missed that KOOL rake. That's quite innovative!

I'd love to see that with some Ed Roth-style paint and 36" ape-hangers!