So I picked up a Murray Monterey cruiser today. It needs new tires, but is otherwise functional. It has a 6 speed on it (no markings) and front and rear brakes. From googling I'm not sure if they are original or added on later. The lady I got it from said she got it from the original owner who bought it back in the 70s. Maybe they were factory, maybe he added them on.
My plan with the bike is kind of a 2.5 step idea. first is to get it going, and then make it a muscle bike, preferably all at the same time since it needs new tires anyways. The second step is also to make it into an e bike. I've decided that a mid drive is best there, but will probably go front hub for that, since it won't interfere with the rest of the things I want to do, I can keep a wider rear wheel, and really is the simplest to install.
So first step (after new tires) is to get a stick shifter. I think they are slick, and it would definitely make the bike work better, as the current thumb shifter is just a very hard to move thumb slider, no positive clicks or anything. I'm not sure what the 6 speed is that it has now, so I'd imagine I'd end up having to get a new setup to work with whatever shifter I find. new wheel with the correct amount of gears, a new derailleur to go with the shifter, and the shifter as well.
From there I also want to get the banana seat and sissy bar. I have no idea how to do this. I hope I don't have to fabricate the bar myself though.
Then lastly as far as the bike part goes, it's the ape hangers. with the shifter now on the frame and not the handle bars, I'd imagine to keep the brakes I just need longer cables. I think this would also be a good time to install the e bike kit. They come with new brake handles that also have electronic hookups for the hub.
My plan with the bike is kind of a 2.5 step idea. first is to get it going, and then make it a muscle bike, preferably all at the same time since it needs new tires anyways. The second step is also to make it into an e bike. I've decided that a mid drive is best there, but will probably go front hub for that, since it won't interfere with the rest of the things I want to do, I can keep a wider rear wheel, and really is the simplest to install.
So first step (after new tires) is to get a stick shifter. I think they are slick, and it would definitely make the bike work better, as the current thumb shifter is just a very hard to move thumb slider, no positive clicks or anything. I'm not sure what the 6 speed is that it has now, so I'd imagine I'd end up having to get a new setup to work with whatever shifter I find. new wheel with the correct amount of gears, a new derailleur to go with the shifter, and the shifter as well.
From there I also want to get the banana seat and sissy bar. I have no idea how to do this. I hope I don't have to fabricate the bar myself though.
Then lastly as far as the bike part goes, it's the ape hangers. with the shifter now on the frame and not the handle bars, I'd imagine to keep the brakes I just need longer cables. I think this would also be a good time to install the e bike kit. They come with new brake handles that also have electronic hookups for the hub.
