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I know, I know… this is a late entry, but I should be able to fit a bike project into my already busy schedule. I came across this web site, quite by accident (less than a week ago). I saw the “RAT ROD BIKE BUILD OFF 3” and after a few days of deep thought, I am going to enter.
Here it is (after disassembly and I had cut off the braze-ons).
The Official Name of the Bike: “Back to the Future: The Café-Scrambler.” You will figure out the name if you read on.
The Objective: I want to build a bike from fairly modern parts, but have the underlying look of a classic. Because I live in the foothills of Appalachia, and ride on gravel country roads, it has to have strong brakes, off-road tires, and fenders. I want it to have the combined look of the early Café Racer and Scrambler motorcycles. To keep the costs down, I want to use parts that came with the bike, that I have in may garage, used/thrift store finds, or sale items to complete the build.
The Frame and Forks: Late 80’s Diamond Back mountain bike, Chinese-built. I will shave off all of the cable guides and other extraneous braze-ons and do a complete “rattle-can” paint job.
The Components: I will convert the six-cog freewheel into a single gear, by use of a chain tensioner and single gear kit. I will modify the three-chainwheel cranks into a single. I will use V-brake style cantilevers for the brakes. I will add fenders, and if I find a decent one in time, a rear rack.
The History of the Bike: I work in a small college town and got the bike for free--from the garbage outside of a fraternity house. I asked one of the frat bros if I could take it from the trash and he said: “What bike? That motorcycle?” (There was a Kawasaki Ninja parked by the trash). I told him no, the mountain bike. And he said: “Oh… yah, man, you can have that... I thought that you meant my buddy’s Ninja.”
The front wheel was badly “tacoed” and the cranks had spun out of the bottom bracket, and were frozen against the chainstay. It was muddy, both tires were flat, and the chain was rusted solid. And I have to say it was one ugly bike.
I took the bike apart. Took both wheels to my LBS, and for a paltry sum of eleven bucks, both wheels were trued. The owner of the shop said that he was amazed that the wheels came out so arrow-straight. So was I.
I scored a set of “Planet Bike” ABS plastic fenders on sale at another LBS. They have a few minor scratches but I am sure I can buff them out by using 1200 grit sandpaper and plastic polish. And from another bike shop, I got more “sale/scratch and dent items”: an ugly seat (but usable), taller seat post, and aluminum "rise" handlebars. That evening, I ordered single gear kit (also on sale).
Last week, I got my Dremel, hacksaw, and file set out and commenced to remove the braze-ons. After an hour or so of racket, I was done. I came inside, took a shower, cracked open a beer, and did a few searches on the Internet for he word “Colson” (I scored a ladies Colson at a yard sale for nine bucks a while back and have been wanting to ID it). That’s when I came across the ratrodbikes.com website.
Now you know the story. I will get back to work on it this evening, and put up some pictures. The clock is-a-ticking: Midnight, August 31, 2008...
Wish me luck!
Here it is (after disassembly and I had cut off the braze-ons).
The Official Name of the Bike: “Back to the Future: The Café-Scrambler.” You will figure out the name if you read on.
The Objective: I want to build a bike from fairly modern parts, but have the underlying look of a classic. Because I live in the foothills of Appalachia, and ride on gravel country roads, it has to have strong brakes, off-road tires, and fenders. I want it to have the combined look of the early Café Racer and Scrambler motorcycles. To keep the costs down, I want to use parts that came with the bike, that I have in may garage, used/thrift store finds, or sale items to complete the build.
The Frame and Forks: Late 80’s Diamond Back mountain bike, Chinese-built. I will shave off all of the cable guides and other extraneous braze-ons and do a complete “rattle-can” paint job.
The Components: I will convert the six-cog freewheel into a single gear, by use of a chain tensioner and single gear kit. I will modify the three-chainwheel cranks into a single. I will use V-brake style cantilevers for the brakes. I will add fenders, and if I find a decent one in time, a rear rack.
The History of the Bike: I work in a small college town and got the bike for free--from the garbage outside of a fraternity house. I asked one of the frat bros if I could take it from the trash and he said: “What bike? That motorcycle?” (There was a Kawasaki Ninja parked by the trash). I told him no, the mountain bike. And he said: “Oh… yah, man, you can have that... I thought that you meant my buddy’s Ninja.”
The front wheel was badly “tacoed” and the cranks had spun out of the bottom bracket, and were frozen against the chainstay. It was muddy, both tires were flat, and the chain was rusted solid. And I have to say it was one ugly bike.
I took the bike apart. Took both wheels to my LBS, and for a paltry sum of eleven bucks, both wheels were trued. The owner of the shop said that he was amazed that the wheels came out so arrow-straight. So was I.
I scored a set of “Planet Bike” ABS plastic fenders on sale at another LBS. They have a few minor scratches but I am sure I can buff them out by using 1200 grit sandpaper and plastic polish. And from another bike shop, I got more “sale/scratch and dent items”: an ugly seat (but usable), taller seat post, and aluminum "rise" handlebars. That evening, I ordered single gear kit (also on sale).
Last week, I got my Dremel, hacksaw, and file set out and commenced to remove the braze-ons. After an hour or so of racket, I was done. I came inside, took a shower, cracked open a beer, and did a few searches on the Internet for he word “Colson” (I scored a ladies Colson at a yard sale for nine bucks a while back and have been wanting to ID it). That’s when I came across the ratrodbikes.com website.
Now you know the story. I will get back to work on it this evening, and put up some pictures. The clock is-a-ticking: Midnight, August 31, 2008...
Wish me luck!