Electra Ratrod Extended

BartRidesEternal · Sep 19, 2024

Hi guys!

I decided to create a separate topic for the final bits and assembly of my Electra Ratrod bike which I decided to lengthen 18 centimetres.
This was a great tryout in my new welding JIG that I designed. Topic about the JIG and lengthening the frame here:

https://ratrodbikes.com/threads/building-a-welding-jig-first-design-process-and-thoughts.118825/

Right now I decided to 'clean' the welds with an angle grinder. This is a great test to see if the welds have good penetration!
And I am also looking to reposition the rear bracket of the chaincover, since the frame is lengthened.

A little introduction and then the update pictures!

Picture above: Cutting and placing it in the jig.

Picture above: Ready to clean paint and weld!

Finishing welding job.

Done! Now time to prepare for a powdercoat!

Relocation the rear chaincover bracket since the frame is lengthened.

Bottom bracket serial number.

Work in progress. Looking very good!!

I will round it with flexibele sandpaper, but this looks very good.

Only top tube grinding left. No gaps or spots in the welds except for one little gap. One tap with a brush after paint and its gone.

BartRidesEternal · Sep 19, 2024

I can take the frame, fork and chaincover to the coater next week for a powdercoat.
Can't choose all RAL colours, it depends what he has in stock.

I also want to re-print these original stickers since I love the style and lettering:

What frame colour would be great combined with these wheels?:

Wheels are refurbished!

Regarding the frame/fork colour I am thinking in a more timeless classic direction, since the lengthened frame reminds me of the old motorcycles, just like @Pondo mentioned in the previous topic.

I am also considering to not put fenders on this bike.

Its more like a boardtracker/hotrod/ratrod look then, just how I like me bikes :thumbsup:

A colour example I do like, but its not my bike:

Kevin B · Sep 19, 2024

This build is awesome.

ifitsfreeitsforme · Sep 20, 2024

a dark blue like that picture would be nice rather than the usual flat black.

BartRidesEternal · Sep 25, 2024

A quick mockup and check before the parts go to the powdercoater.

Matte black is just simply awesome. So no bad choice there.
If the coater has another colour in stock then I'll go with my gut and choose.
Dark red, Army green, Dark blue, Dark brown, are colours I'm open to.

I sanded down the joints. Quality is great, but you can still see it a little bit.

68z27 · Sep 25, 2024

BartRidesEternal said:
A quick mockup and check before the parts go to the powdercoater.

Matte black is just simply awesome. So no bad choice there.
If the coater has another colour in stock then I'll go with my gut and choose.
Dark red, Army green, Dark blue, Dark brown, are colours I'm open to.

I sanded down the joints. Quality is great, but you can still see it a little bit.

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this is such a cool build - great tubing/jig work and vision. Love the flat section on the top bar. If you do consider fender(s), maybe a short one on the back wheel and nothing up front? Track racer vibe? While you're taking pictures, take that door handle behind your bike. It may make a good shifter or something...... :giggle:

Pondo · Sep 25, 2024

Love it! I don’t think you can go wrong with the colors you’re considering. I think it would also look good in satin dark maroon or taupe.

BartRidesEternal · Sep 26, 2024

68z27 said:
this is such a cool build - great tubing/jig work and vision. Love the flat section on the top bar. If you do consider fender(s), maybe a short one on the back wheel and nothing up front? Track racer vibe? While you're taking pictures, take that door handle behind your bike. It may make a good shifter or something......

Appreciate that, thank you. I have been thinking about fenders. Maybe some Ratrod drillium plate :thumbsup:

A speedholed version of the 'Conteq Flat Fender'.
Now that you mention the shifter: I left the cable guides on the down tube there on purpose, since the rear wheel has a Nexus 3 hub. I wanted to fabricate a freaky shifter that works with the original Nexus 3 shifter. I tried a shifter underneath the seat... looked great, but didn't work out for me.

Pondo said:
Love it! I don’t think you can go wrong with the colors you’re considering. I think it would also look good in satin dark maroon or taupe.

Taupe or earth colours, also very nice!

After work today I intend to drop off the parts at the powdercoater.
I quickly threw in the aluminium cruiser bars I had in mind for this project, since it might be very cool to have the frame, fork, chainguard and bars in one colour!

Can't wait

BartRidesEternal · Sep 27, 2024

I went to Michael the crazy coater and he had few colours in stock.
Flat black yes, but we chose something different.

Bronze was an option....

But with the red n' whitewall wheels I chose this:

The colours name is: Canal Green.

BartRidesEternal · Oct 2, 2024

I just received pictures :inlove:

ifitsfreeitsforme · Oct 2, 2024

great color choice.

BartRidesEternal · Oct 3, 2024

ifitsfreeitsforme said:
great color choice.

Thank you!

I picked up the frame and parts.
Already put some grease in the frame here and there.
I might use this sprocket, I'm not sure yet.
All parts are green except for the sprocket, which is satin black.
The bars are green also.

Instagram link with little video

Thanks for watching!

BartRidesEternal · Oct 11, 2024

Busy week, got a few things done. I spray painted the little damages on the black parts.

???

No, I'm choosing a black BB bearing on this one!

This will be sweet!

There is a small possibility I can assemble the bars and, wheels tomorrow. That would be awesome!
Green/black with red n' whitewall wheels!!

BartRidesEternal · Oct 12, 2024

Nothing is really secured, but this looks pretty cool.
Unfortunately you can see a bit of the points where the bike is welded and extended.

BartRidesEternal · Dec 27, 2024

Testride today! I got some hours of work done in my shack!
Nexus 3 shifts and rolls like a dream. The original shifter cable was long enough! Only just.

I'm going to extend the bars a little bit and assemble some neat grips. Then the bike is nearly done!

Interesting thought: If Electra extended their frame with 18 centimetres (or a little bit less) they would have a very neat custom cruiser bike (competing with?) like the Basman or other Ruff Cycles bikes/frames.

68z27 · Dec 27, 2024

Cool ride, great proportions

..........you do wonderful work!.........

BartRidesEternal · Dec 28, 2024

68z27 said:
Cool ride, great proportions ..........you do wonderful work!.........

Thank you! I appreciate that :thumbsup:

BartRidesEternal · Jan 29, 2025

Hi guys,
I planned on red grips, but an order at a bicycle warehouse is on hold since 15 December of last year. Waiting for a CrMoly fork tube...
I decided to assemble the blue grips I still had and put the bike up for sale. Reason is I'm planning on competing in the main buildoff this year with an all new frame and I need space :bigboss:

This was a great build and this bike rides incredibly smooth.
This come close to what I envision as the perfect hotrod cruiser.

MattiThundrrr · Jan 31, 2025

I'll bet you need more space, that baby is loooooong, the Netherlands not so much. Red grips would fit better, but that is a fine bicycle. Really great custom work. It looks like it came from the factory that way, the stretch is not evident

Electra Ratrod Extended

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