U-Haul

[Couch tater]

U-Haul. Well yes, yes I do.

With the cold weather now a thing, I went looking for a project that didn't involve lots of odor (paint, stripper, penetrating oil, etc) that I could do indoors. I came across this and scarfed it up. Very few examples of the U-Haul rent-a-cruisers can be found on the interwebs. It is missing a few easy to round up items and sadly the bars have a kink bend. It was stored in a dry place so no major rust to clean up. My plans are to keep it as original as possible and just do a lube and polish. And then ride it like a rented mule.

 

[MattiThundrrr]

Here is some information, maybe
https://bicycles.stackexchange.com/questions/65490/u-haul-bike-value-and-information

 

[Couch tater]

Here is some information, maybe
https://bicycles.stackexchange.com/questions/65490/u-haul-bike-value-and-information

Thanks for the link. I bought it Tuesday and picked it up this morning and in the mean time searched the net and found a few threads about them. When I get around to dismantling it for rehab I hope to get an approximate date from the stem or crank.

 

[ifitsfreeitsforme]

That's neat. I could not have passed that up.

 

[handyandy1100]

Wait! You bought this? It plainly states "Not To Be Sold" on that bottom bracket!

I'd scarf it up too.

Sent from my SM-G986U using Tapatalk

 

[rrtbike]

That will be a fun one to clean up! Neat.
I would probably make it a single speed coaster if it was mine. But cool bike however.

 

[MattiThundrrr]

I dunno about that, with the bmx style fork, those caliper brakes just fit. Any chance they're Dia Comp? Any chance you want to take em off, and ship em to Canada, Couch Tater? If so, then definitely go with coaster brakes!

As always, at least partly kidding

 

[Couch tater]

I dunno about that, with the bmx style fork, those caliper brakes just fit. Any chance they're Dia Comp? Any chance you want to take em off, and ship em to Canada, Couch Tater? If so, then definitely go with coaster brakes!

As always, at least partly kidding

Not Dia-Comp. They are the highly desired Horng-Jia brakes.

I have an NOS Shimano 3S freewheel hub kit ordered for it. I got the whole enchilada for slightly more than just a pin and bell crank. I'm not too concerned about durability as it is pancake flat around here and this bike is gonna be a light duty cruiser, probably stay in 2 forever.

Finding replacement handlebars is a booger. Best match I've been able to find so far is Al's Rapid Transit cruiser bars. Gonna get some Kool-Stop salmon pads, AME grips (orange?), new cables, gumwall snakebellys. Seat should be here tomorrow, probably will need a tall post. I like to have most parts on hand before getting started wrenching, something I've learned to do from being a truck mechanic for decades, keeps things moving.

 

[MattiThundrrr]

I was surprised by the shifter cable, glad to hear you're going with internal gearing, not a fan of derailleurs on cruisers
How heavy is the bike, is it like an industrial cruiser, or lighter for beach and boardwalk duty? Really starting to like this one

 

[Couch tater]

It's lighter duty, beach cruiser variety, I'd guess around 30 lbs. I would put the build quality a little above an American made Huffy. It has 4 brazed on cable guides for the shift cable. I've passed on some cruisers with derailleurs, I don't like the look either. These should be as clean as can be bikes to my eye.

I have the bars solved, forgot I have an NOS pair of gold Wald bmx bars with the V crossbar, should look pretty decent with the bronze levers. Still filling my shopping cart at Porkchop BMX with parts.

 

[dlf58]

I have rented out U hauls for over 30 years as a dealer in a small town.. Didn't know they had bicycles. I see it too is stamped not for sale as is much of their equiptment. I like it.

 

[Couch tater]

I think I have solved one of the great internet mysteries about these bikes. FBC is most likely First Bicycle Components, Taiwan, established 1984. FBC is still in business. These frames are stamped FBC on the LH dropout, serial number is on the right dropout. The head badge decal is also FBC. A photo of a frame out on the internet has a "Made in Taiwan" sticker on the bottom bracket which is not on mine.

 

[buses 'n bikes]

Here's mine from a few years ago: https://thecabe.com/forum/threads/s...ser-original-strandie-klunker-shipped.144021/
"Resto" thread: https://thecabe.com/forum/threads/fbc-u-haul-cruiser.142330/page-1

It sold to a guy who works at U-Haul Corporate in Scottsdale.

 

[Couch tater]

Here's mine from a few years ago: https://thecabe.com/forum/threads/s...ser-original-strandie-klunker-shipped.144021/
"Resto" thread: https://thecabe.com/forum/threads/fbc-u-haul-cruiser.142330/page-1

It sold to a guy who works at U-Haul Corporate in Scottsdale.

I came across yours while I was doing the research on mine. These puppies are scarce. Mine should be out on the streets within a couple more weeks.

 

[kram]

Cool and unusual bike.