The original bicycle. Not a promising beginning, but it was there. A vintage bike about 2 years old. My wife bought it, rode around the block one time, and decided she didn't want to ride a bicycle. It has sat in the garage ever since. I think we paid $50 or $60 for it at Walmart. "Kent" brand, if that matters. Aluminum frame.
The typical bicycle building stuff, 1x2's, angle pieces from an old bed frame, old pipe that I found beside the road long ago, old seats, new spray paint and bolts and steel bar.
Here's what the pipe is for. I bent it by the sophistocated method of putting the ends on two 2x4's and then standing on itl Good thing I'm not in shape or that wouldn't have worked. The pipe is just wedged in there for right now. This is just for cosmetics, it's not intended to be an actual part of the frame.
Cutting out the filler plate. This will be to make a sign and also is a means to support a low-gravity style front container which is yet to be built (that's where the angles and the 1x2's come in).
The plywood filler plate in place, also just wedged in.
Status so far. I de-colorized to give a better idea of how it will look (the plywood will be black, too, though). I've removed all the decals and reflectors, raised the handlebars, swapped the seat out for an Arpan, and made three of the bands that go around the frame to hold the plywood and top bar on. I was going to remove the chain guard, but the front sprocket is pretty small and looks funny without the chain guard, so I may just leave it on.
That Arpan seat is off an an Arpan Low Gravity bicycle. It looks good but is a cheap fairly useless seat. It is not leather, but hard plastic.