TRADITIONAL SHAOLIN SPITFIRE (Wu Tang Forever)

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Took a photo before heading to work to digest progress so far, and tasks at hand.

Looks like I'm down to the following:

- Mounting license plate to rear wheel
- Re-attach microphone screens to handlebars (threading has been trimmed)
- Incorporate Buddha charms in some way?
- Paint the 'Schwinn Spitfire' lettering on front tire
- Modify and mount headbadge
- Mount headlight
- Finish editing Schwinn font for custom decal?
- Finish mounting bracket on bee
- Incorporate electrical inside bee
- Film ride video and shoot final pics

It's looking a bit of alright.

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Took a photo before heading to work to digest progress so far, and tasks at hand.

Looks like I'm down to the following:

- Mounting license plate to rear wheel
- Re-attach microphone screens to handlebars (threading has been trimmed)
- Incorporate Buddha charms in some way?
- Paint the 'Schwinn Spitfire' lettering on front tire
- Modify and mount headbadge
- Mount headlight
- Finish editing Schwinn font for custom decal?
- Finish mounting bracket on bee
- Incorporate electrical inside bee
- Film ride video and shoot final pics

It's looking a bit of alright.

View attachment 274344
Such a great concept! Looks great!
Wu Tang forever💥
 
Used a dremel to start the outline. Don't want to cut all the way through, initially, so I have something to hold onto.

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After I made a solid groove around the outline, I used tin snips to cut it out. The groove makes an easier breakaway so the tin snips don't crimp the logo.

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Then I used an engraver to start carving the finer details of the outline.

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Once that outline was dialed in, I brought out the files to start molding the edges. Again, by using the engraver first, it makes filing the excess off very light work. Minimal effort is used, which saves you from potentially filing off too much.

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Finally, I took a small hacksaw blade in order to pick out the last bits inside all the corners and loops. Voila!

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Hit the badge with some 'Goo Gone' in order to remove some old overspray.

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This evoked a fond memory of my dear friend Carmine (RIP). I've heard others call it "Goo-B-Gone" or "Goo B'gone". But Carmine always said, "Goobie Gone" which always tickled me. He was a dear soul, and a fellow creative. What's wild is, the only video I have of him, is him playing 'Hello From the Other Side' by Adele. I miss him very much.

 
Time to slap on this sticker so I can mount the plate. This is an amazing NOS 'Weird Wheels' sticker.

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If mounting to a clean surface or page, this would be a slap and go. The adhesive is pristine. However, this plate is far from clean. I wire wheeled the back, and cleaned it, but I will use a tack spray for adhesion and a clear over that.

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That little W was small and tedious work, but I bet it was very rewarding and worth it! Such an awesome detail!!!
Well done!!
 
That little W was small and tedious work, but I bet it was very rewarding and worth it! Such an awesome detail!!!
Well done!!

You already know!!! I was ecstatic about how good it came out. I also had to nail my hand to the table to prevent myself from over working it. Ideally, I would've liked to have stepped down the size a nanometer 🤣 but it's so good, I don't want to mess it up.
 
Headbadge is cured, and ready for patina!

The black Schwinn lettering was a stark contrast from the silver 'W', so my wife suggested I paint the 'W' to match.

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Taking that into consideration, I wanted to weather the lettering a bit more and kind of blend the patina from both ends.
So I starded by scuffing the Schwinn lettering to reveal more bare aluminium around the edges.

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From there I slowly started building in color on the 'W' with a Sharpie. It allows for more 'do overs' (if I don't get the look I want) with minimal abrasion.

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I'm happy with where it is now, so I am going to call it done. Previous to patina, I had tapped the 'W' with a rubber mallet to mold it into place. I am very pleased with the result.

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Headbadge is cured, and ready for patina!

The black Schwinn lettering was a stark contrast from the silver 'W', so my wife suggested I paint the 'W' to match.

View attachment 274571

Taking that into consideration, I wanted to weather the lettering a bit more and kind of blend the patina from both ends.
So I starded by scuffing the Schwinn lettering to reveal more bare aluminium around the edges.

View attachment 274561

From there I slowly started building in color on the 'W' with a Sharpie. It allows for more 'do overs' (if I don't get the look I want) with minimal abrasion.

View attachment 274562

I'm happy with where it is now, so I am going to call it done. Previous to patina, I had tapped the 'W' with a rubber mallet to mold it into place. I am very pleased with the result.

View attachment 274563

View attachment 274564

View attachment 274565

View attachment 274566

Clipbacks Reaction GIF by Omer Studios
 

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