Fire arrow, 2nd try...

[idiotboy]

I'm in! Gonna try to build the bike I failed to finish in the winter build off, sort of... I had planned to use this rusty fire arrow

some parts off this scrap yard find Ross

and some parts from the pile to build a bike. I got as far as stripping it down and test fitting a rear wheel

when I noticed the frame was bent and twisted in a few different directions. I tried unsuccessfully to straighten it and that was the end of that. Luckily I only paid 25 bucks for the bike so I figure I got a cool tank for that price

then about a month ago I bought this frame from tuck tuck (thank you!) that the tank will fit on so now I can build the bike

 

[LukeTheJoker]

Cool frame, cool tank!

Luke.

 

[idiotboy]

Here's a pic if the frame from the for sale ad

and here it is as it sits in my cellar today

let the fun begin!

 

[Schwinnspastic]

That is one rusty cool Columbia, I can't say I've ever had one but I do have a couple Columbia tandem frames in the pile out back..maybe I'll get around to them one of these days.
Mark

 

[Fv2]

Nothing like a good ol tank bike

 

[The Renaissance Man]

Those Columbia tanks are really cool!

 

[Funkme]

The tank and the bars are cool.Still a lot of great parts for $25...

 

[kingfish254]

Those bat tanks are worth building a bike around.
Have fun.

 

[Big Ape]

I was subscribed last time on this build.........Glad that you got another frame.

 

[idiotboy]

Thanks guys I'm glad I got a second chance at this one too!! Made a bit of parts progress tonight, I want to save the original finish on the tank

so I hit it with some dish soap, hot water and 0000 steel wool

and I'm pretty happy with the result. Next up is the chain guard

it's bent up a bit but if I can save the graphics

anyway this thing cleaned up real nice

so I just hafta bang the dents out and most of my sheet metal is done

 

[pick]

WOW! I'm going to have to try that.

 

[idiotboy]

In a bit of good luck, my first choice of fork has the correct length steer tube for this frame, old JC Higgins fork with truss rods

I picture this as a fat/skinny tire bike, so the 26x 1 3/8 front wheel off the Ross will work nicely

and it's got a shimano coaster hub that's in great shape

hub parts go in a bucket for a simple green soak

but the skinny rear rim isn't gonna cut it. So out to the shed ( pile ) for a 26x 2.125 tire and chrome rim

the tire is a crusty but not dry or cracked Davis deluxe

so my next step will be lacing and truing a rear wheel...

 

[LukeTheJoker]

This is getting better and better! I love skinny front/fat rear builds and that fork is perfect!

Luke.

 

[idiotboy]

Sometimes I know what color I want to paint a bike before I start it, sometimes I figure it out as I'm building and sometimes I go to the hardware store and stare at spray paint cans. Today I had to go to Lowes to get some stuff for work, and the paint cans told me what to buy

how could I not get this? Hope it looks good with the tank and chain guard, and chrome wheels...

 

[Fv2]

Metallic rust....that's a new one to me,should be interesting to see

 

[LukeTheJoker]

I agree! How could you not buy that and try it out! Awesome!

Luke.

 

[kingfish254]

Looking forward to seeing that Aged Metallic paint. I see they also have one called Weathered Steel.

 

[idiotboy]

Not very interesting but useful progress anyway, all the moving parts out of their simple green bath and cleaned

 

[LukeTheJoker]

Not very interesting but useful progress anyway, all the moving parts out of their simple green bath and cleaned

Looks good, reminds me of doing a model kit with all the parts laid out like that!

Luke.

 

[Jane says]

Cant wait to see how it turns out.