Had to use some clamps to squeeze the sidewalls of these fatties to allow them to pass by the shoulder bolt nuts. Then once the wheels where locked down, I had to slowly lower the tire pressure until the tires had enough clearance for riding.
TRADITIONAL 🅵🅾🅾🅻🅸🅶🅰🅽 - 1930s Elgin Oriole - 2nd Place (Tie) - BUILD JOURNAL
- Thread starter kingfish254
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'Ride-tuned' tire pressure. Dig it. I actually have the PSI written down in the BACK40 for a couple of my rides. A tire filling out a frame is one of the coolest aspects of a custom build for me!
Stole Queenfish's blow dryer to heat up the RatFink badge to widen it's radius. Then clamped it into place while it cools down. It has 3m double side mounting pad on the back.
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Very envious of the chubby rubber, my friend. I wish Schwinn had made them more widely available. What were buyers expected to do once their original tires wore out? Buy a brand new bike, I guess.
Painted the stem flat black
Installed the black stem.
This whole build, I've been riding this 90 year old saddle with only one seatpan clip. On the last ride, the second one broke. I was able to keep riding though. I was shocked at how easily the nuts broke free without any pb blaster. Gonna stop by ACE to find some replacement clips tonight.
I've contemplated some patina paint scheme for the saddle, but I truly love it's natural state. It is really comfy too.
I've contemplated some patina paint scheme for the saddle, but I truly love it's natural state. It is really comfy too.
I'm going to hold off on any more aging until I see how the complete package plays off of each other.
It was fun doing the HotWheels and the B&M. RatFink badge is now installed and it's perfect!
These tires are so thick and fat, it truly doesn't take much air for them. Also, even at low pressure, you don't feel like they are dragging. They roll very well for fat tires.
Been wanting a set of these for quite awhile. I'm impressed with them too. It was worth the work to make them work on the rear. I'm so glad they work with this fork too.
After dinner, I mounted the chainguard and put the HotWheels badge on (still with temporary tape). Went for a dusk ride to get the feel for everything again.
In my short 30 minute ride, I had to stop and talk about my bike to 4 different people that came up to me. I always enjoy these interactions. Sometiimes they are locals, other times tourists. Young, old, men, women. Tonight one set college girls did the "cool bike, did you build that?" as I was taking the first fountain pic, after I said thanks and told them it was 90 years old, they circled back and wanted to know the details. As the left, one of them said, "I appreciate your art." What an awesome compliment from an art student.
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Art Appreciation 101: Rolling Art
Okay, I could pretty much call this build compete (and probably should with only 8 days to go), but 10 days ago, I pulled out a bunch of goodies to test mock to make sure I wasn't missing anything. Almost all of it didn't peak my interest, but this Higgins skirtguard did. But I still had so much more to do, so I scrapped the idea.
Here is the very simple mockup I did.
Here is the very simple mockup I did.
Well, here goes nothing. I have a set of spare wide fenders from my fat Michael Blast Greaser bike, so the fit the tries we'll. First serious mockup fits well. Meshes well with the chainguard and the frame.
What fo y'all think of the flow?
What fo y'all think of the flow?
Skirts yes but that fender would be better without the duck bill
Would you try to carry the red and white used on the front end to the skirt? Cuz that might work. I guess I've gotten so used to focusing on that great tank /fork / front end that my immediate reaction is that the skirt is a little distracting.
Good idea. Think I find a scrap ballooner fender and cut it right at the end of the skirt points. Similar to what I did on Western Sizzler but without the scallops.
I was looking at that. The paint is slightly more creme than the tank but may work. Then I would paint the blue parts red along with the fender.
But I am thinking I would do less of the patina matching. Not as many voids as the frame and fork
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Well...I don't ℎ𝑎𝑡𝑒 it. I imagine what paint finishes you choose would have a big impact on the final appearance, so it's hard to judge from a mock-up.
Appreciate any input. I mentioned my paint scheme idea in my reply above to OJ.
Here is a very rough idea of that. Of course the red wouldn't be brght, but instead the same satin colonial red I've been using.
