My Chrome Cruiser build.

[bll]

Hello Friends, opening this thread to track this beach cruiser build.

Started off as a frame and fork found on the internet. I've wanted a chrome Bassett Star Cruiser for about one year now. Frankly I had moved on but one popped up for sale and frankly, without thinking to much, snatched it up.

Since I'm sourcing all the parts from the used market, everything needs to be, silver, chrome, or polished with the exception of rims and tires perhaps.

So far I've gotten an SE polished stem.

Also a set of SE cranks.

I'll grab a sealed headset from Amazon. I saw an Origin8 for 30 bucks that looked fine.

The bars will be: 7/8" Flat Track & Scrambles Handlebars Chrome 4.5" Rise from EMGO part # 23-92404 and hopefully arrive today.

Not sure on grips yet, I'd like to find a set of vintage dirt bike grips. My buddy has a perfect Pink non throttle side grip so it may make the cut but also depending on what I can find for the "throttle side."

Saddle will probably be a brown Brooks B67.



Currently on the hunt for a set of wheels, I would prefer chrome/silver hubs and a colored rims would be the preference.

 

[Starnger]

Nice start, man! Looking forward for the rest

 

[Dizzle Problems]

Nice! If you’d like to continue the SE theme, they do make wheels in blue/red/gold in 26 that can be purchased. I think bmxguru or porkchopbmx has em. I’d gave to double check.
Also, alienation makes their PBR rim in 26” in many colors too.

 

[bll]

Bars and a couple of chainwheels came. I'm closing in on a set of wheels.

 

[bll]

hey guys, need some help. front wheel will not mount in the forks. any advice? is there a smaller diameter axel i could use?

in the top pic, the axle won't slide in, in the bottom pic, it won't slide out!

 

[Dizzle Problems]

Porkchopbmx sells the old school style axles with the flats— https://porkchopbmx.com/front-bicyc...-135mm-with-5-16-flats-each-yellow-zinc-gold/

That’s what I run when needed. Also, in practice, a grinder works well to do the same thing to the existing axle. Although, I’d suggest marking and removing the axle before ‘surgery’

 

[bll]

Dizzle, thanks a million, Porkchop is in my backyard and I ordered it.

 

[Dizzle Problems]

Dizzle, thanks a million, Porkchop is in my backyard and I ordered it.

Glad to help man! Those axles have solved a lot of frustration for me. Before I knew about them, I dremeled the drop outs on a spaceliner rat trap fork to fit a 3/8 axle, haha.

 

[LukeTheJoker]

View attachment 88372

Oh my! That frame and fork!

Glad to help man! Those axles have solved a lot of frustration for me. Before I knew about them, I dremeled the drop outs on a spaceliner rat trap fork to fit a 3/8 axle, haha.

In all seriousness though, pretty sure we have all done that sort of stuff before we learn the better ways...

 

[bll]

it's coming along, do they make chrome tires?

i filed the current axle and obviously got it to fit for now.

 

[Dizzle Problems]

it's coming along, do they make chrome tires?

i filed the current axle and obviously got it to fit for now.

View attachment 88870

Lookin awesome man!

 

[Starnger]

No chrome tires, but Project 346 balloon tires in gray/whitewall would look awesome here.

 

[bll]

hey guys, question. what's the protocol on the spacing of crank arm/spindle/bolt situation? seems like i want to have the spindle bolt end sunk in just enough so the tapered crank bolts cinch it all together as opposed to bottoming out on the spindle and leaving it jiggly. hope that made sense.

 

[bll]

She's done for now. I went a little too wide on the tires and not quite tall enough on the bars and it's keeping me up at night.

Took her out for a few rides this weekend and am very happy overall.

 

[ParkRNDL]

Too wide on the tires? Is that even a thing?

(edit: just noticed that last pic. yeah, I guess that's a little close.)

Looks great, by the way. Nice ride!

 

[Bike Bum]

Very cool. Bike came out nice. Try getting a longer gooseneck to raise the bars up. The bars look great so I wouldn't change them. Those tires look great, as long as they don't rub the frame, I'd leave them alone too. This bike really makes me want to build a strandie.

 

[Starnger]

I see, your wheel is on the very end of the dropouts. I guess some taller bmx bars would fit the looks. Good luck finishing it up!

 

[bll]

Very cool. Bike came out nice. Try getting a longer gooseneck to raise the bars up. The bars look great so I wouldn't change them. Those tires look great, as long as they don't rub the frame, I'd leave them alone too. This bike really makes me want to build a strandie.

I must say it rides great as is. I'm already used to the bars and as long as I keep my rear axle tight,tire rub shouldn't ever be an issue.

I did try........and fail, to do a sweet curb jump on the maiden voyage, which yanked the chain off and sent the tire into the stay. I was smart enough to bring a wrench though, and she's been perfect since.

 

[rrtbike]

Great tire choice! As fat as can be and the MAXXIS lettering matches the decals on the frame! Excellent!

 

[toro1978]

I love how clean this build is.

The fear that the chain mght drop is what keeps me from riding only with a coaster brake.