Finds outside of LA

Rat Rod Bikes Bicycle Forum

Help Support Rat Rod Bikes Bicycle Forum:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.
Joined
Jan 27, 2022
Messages
75
Reaction score
187
Location
Malibu
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
When you are willing to drive a few hours, the chance of finding something amazing increases by a lot. Leaving Los Angeles or any area with large numbers of bike enthusiasts is the only way to get a great deal. I don’t do it often enough.
Yesterday, I went for 6 hour round trip. When I arrived, it was a really cool small town surrounded by mountains. I had 30 minutes to waste, so I ended up going to a Bakery. It was obvious that this was a local hot spot with a huge selection of fresh Baked goods. I left with a few mini pies, 9 incredible cookies and coffee. The bike I went for is a 70’s Stingray Scrambler with a Chrome Ashtabula fork. I ended up buying a Klunker and the Scrambler for a very good price. During our conversation, he talked about owning a few serious Cruisers. He’s got a few more Klunkers and a DG frame that we will talk about on my next trip. I haven’t had a chance to see them yet but I can only imagine. He has a mystery friend with 40 bikes hanging in his garage. Not good for sale! He’s an old schooler that raced, sells parts but none of his bikes. You can’t meet these guys in LA! I had a great time. Solo! Let me know what you think…
36B5FD7A-8A20-4FFB-961B-284F56588D77.jpeg
C0160920-0A61-4B5F-AE4F-02EB2F77CADA.jpeg
73726510-757B-423B-90F4-E3AD1A6B698A.jpeg
A7D5DE5B-2BD4-4746-B8E2-E355707D1FD8.jpeg
4CA5DC38-4761-436E-981D-B8E59E54A094.jpeg
728B942F-278C-4770-B0C1-DB5E4027B185.jpeg
4D52BF53-E98C-4F57-AF16-39D01D5165F2.jpeg
 

Attachments

  • BB19ED52-2B98-49CF-A176-ADE8338F0C55.jpeg
    BB19ED52-2B98-49CF-A176-ADE8338F0C55.jpeg
    3.4 MB · Views: 0
  • 8F668484-1BE6-4459-8120-E7A54226A2ED.jpeg
    8F668484-1BE6-4459-8120-E7A54226A2ED.jpeg
    2 MB · Views: 0
  • 09C82B17-F847-4FC1-B264-85AF4B4A85E9.jpeg
    09C82B17-F847-4FC1-B264-85AF4B4A85E9.jpeg
    2.6 MB · Views: 0
Have I seen a fork like that before???mmmmmm I dont think so. It’s so pretty.

Nice finds. And the 6 hr trip…well ya only get one trip on this planet and sometimes ya just need to clear your mind with a good bit a windshield time. Nothing else like it. Good decisions, good decisions.
 
Do you think the Dia-Compe brakes were stock on the Deluxe Varsity?
I'm going to get heat for saying this, but, no, those are way too cool to be original Schwinn brakes. They look like they belonged to a BMX or something. I'd definitely keep them on there though, the "performance" look fits the theme as long as the color works for you
 
I'm going to get heat for saying this, but, no, those are way too cool to be original Schwinn brakes. They look like they belonged to a BMX or something. I'd definitely keep them on there though, the "performance" look fits the theme as long as the color works for you
The guy said he was attempting to do a King Sting replica. I might try to finish it. The brakes are beautiful but the bars don’t make the cut. I need King Sting bars or something similar. I’m on the lookout.
 
The 80's deluxe Varsitys had that free wheel crankset. The serial number looks like a CU, March 1984. Looks like a 4 on the badge also. It should be great as a King Sting.
 
It looks just like the sidewinder I recently finished! Which looks like a king sting. And the sidewinder frame was indistinguishable from a varsity frame. Seemed like maybe the sidewinder bottom bracket was slightly elevated compared to varsity??? But I didn’t take any measurements.

I have the decals for your fork. Bought them from velocals before they went out of business. Possibly their last order. Anyways they sent me an extra set. Will give you a deal if you want them. Or interesting trade.
 
That Ashtabula fork would be worth a small fortune. It has the reinforcement at the top. I’m sure I have only ever seen one before with the charcoal coating.
 
Yes it’s the first one I’ve seen. It’s kinda cool. View attachment 227406
I bought one on accident last fall….. I had no idea they existed until I really started to check the bike out when I got it home!

I can’t wait to incorporate into a build! I like weird / unique stuff…. This thing checks all the boxes.
 
When you are willing to drive a few hours, the chance of finding something amazing increases by a lot. Leaving Los Angeles or any area with large numbers of bike enthusiasts is the only way to get a great deal. I don’t do it often enough.
Yesterday, I went for 6 hour round trip. When I arrived, it was a really cool small town surrounded by mountains. I had 30 minutes to waste, so I ended up going to a Bakery. It was obvious that this was a local hot spot with a huge selection of fresh Baked goods. I left with a few mini pies, 9 incredible cookies and coffee. The bike I went for is a 70’s Stingray Scrambler with a Chrome Ashtabula fork. I ended up buying a Klunker and the Scrambler for a very good price. During our conversation, he talked about owning a few serious Cruisers. He’s got a few more Klunkers and a DG frame that we will talk about on my next trip. I haven’t had a chance to see them yet but I can only imagine. He has a mystery friend with 40 bikes hanging in his garage. Not good for sale! He’s an old schooler that raced, sells parts but none of his bikes. You can’t meet these guys in LA! I had a great time. Solo! Let me know what you think…View attachment 227225View attachment 227226View attachment 227228View attachment 227229View attachment 227230View attachment 227231View attachment 227227
Awesome day. nothing like a road trip that has old bikes, motorcycles, tractors, antiques…. About anything rusty or old in my book! With a great snack stop! Good for you!

a little more windshield time than I prefer, but good for you in finding a great spot And having a great day!

Super cool finds. I have seen an ashtabula fork like that on eBay. I cant remember what the seller wanted, but it wasnt cheap.

all in all, great scores! I dig the FFS !
 

Latest posts

Back
Top