Re: Anything goes "Muscle-Bike-Build-Off" FINISHED BIKES THREAD!
Oops! Didn't think of people being able to do that, then again, you are a sneaky one Kingfish!... :roll:
Well if the secret is out, and it looks like the build off will be getting extended slightly, I may as well post them here and keep the interest going in the build off...
First a little about the bike.
I figured seeing as the very first production muscle bike was released on March 3rd 1963, why not build a "50 years of muscle bikes" tribute bike?
The frame design is styled similar to a Murray Eliminator II, one of my favorite frame designs of all time, the big and little wheels and disc brakes idea came from the Schwinn Stingray and Krate line up and the paint and decals are tribute to the very first production muscle bike, the "John T. Bill Company" "Penguin" (built by Huffy.) See this link for more info:
http://bikerodnkustom5.homestead.com/br ... uscle.html
The bicycle features a 5 inch wide rear whitewall motorcycle tire (mt90/16) mounted on a modified 16x3.5 inch car rim with a custom hub that incorporates dual freewheels for the dual chain drive and dual disc brakes as well. Here is a link to building a similar hub if you are interested:
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=68533&p=661483#p661483
The custom seat post allows for adjustment not only up and down 5 inchs, but also forward and back 9 inchs to suit just about any teenage/adult rider. For reference I am just over 6 foot 4 inchs, and I ride with the seat all the way up and back.
The handle bars are clamped at the top and bottom of the headtube to avoid the flexing issues normally associated with such tall bars, the dual cable brake lever operates both rear discs at the same time.
The dual chain drive system actually has no real benefits aside from looking good, and really is that not all that matters on a bike like this?
Hidden under the seat is a police style siren and flashing lights for just a little more fun! :mrgreen:
Here are the photos!
P3090006 by
LukeTheJoker, on Flickr
P3090009 by
LukeTheJoker, on Flickr
P3090010 by
LukeTheJoker, on Flickr
We went for a short drive to the port of Echuca on the border of the states of New South Wales and Victoria, Echuca is famous as one of the oldest steam boat ports still in operation.
P3090014 by
LukeTheJoker, on Flickr
They also do pretty good ice cream... :wink: There were lots of customers just out of shot, I just managed to pick a time when no one was at the counter.
P3090016 by
LukeTheJoker, on Flickr
They also have a branch of the Beechworth Bakery there, they claim to be "Australia's greatest bakery."
P3090018 by
LukeTheJoker, on Flickr
As a major shipping port, there were many logging trails through the area.
FILE0103 by
LukeTheJoker, on Flickr
Small park with lake, looked like they were setting up for a wedding over the other side.
FILE0105 by
LukeTheJoker, on Flickr
Taking a break from riding for a bit.
P3090003 by
LukeTheJoker, on Flickr
We left Echuca and went into Shepparton lake for some pictures. These cool "Table Tennis" or "Ping Pong" tables are made out of solid steel and are set up permanently, awesome idea...
Close up of the rear wheel, aero disc, dual drive and underseat siren.
P3090021 by
LukeTheJoker, on Flickr
P3090024 by
LukeTheJoker, on Flickr
Sunset pic on the way home, we live in a farming area as you can probably tell.
P3090033 by
LukeTheJoker, on Flickr
On the way we also grabbed a couple of riding videos, they are only short but they should give you an idea of what it is like to ride.
Video 1:
http://youtu.be/fp0LsSKcDaQ
Video 2:
http://youtu.be/5K0xWtsJHDs
We had a good if long day, I covered more miles on the bike than I ever have in one go on my mountain bike, it is so much fun to ride and far more comfortable as well. Plus we had people asking us about it all day, drivers in cars going past giving us a wave and a beep on the horn, whole families coming over for a look and we even put some of the kids up on the seat too, they loved the police siren the most though!
I consider the bike as done and fully tested, we had no problems with it (Aside from a loose crank that I forgotten to tighten.) Really happy with the way it came out.
I would be interested in knowing what your thoughts are on the bike, good or bad.
Luke.