Re: 1948 Schwinn "Project Motorbike"
Thanks for the positive comments guys, this is a fun project. Let me fill in some of the details on the build. Keep in mind, I'm no master craftsman so please excuse my "less than stellar" fabrication work
First off... It's a '48 Schwinn.. and yup, I'm pretty sure DX is the model. I found a Headbadge that is period correct... it's a "the World" Arnold Schwinn & Co. and looks great up front.
The front fork is Monark... well, most of it is. The complete front of it is original monark but the main park was bent so the black part is repo.
The bars that are on it now are off of a ladies Monark... I think '36.
The wheels are Schwinn S2's with Allstate tires, surprisingly in good condition.
the cranks and sprocket are off of a 70's girls 16" something-or-other.
The seat is an Ideal... don't remember where I got it.
The speedo is a Cadet made by Stewart Warner.
the rear kickstand is from an old Hawthorne.
More pics? here goes...
this is how I'm doin' the tank. I've decided to do an inner and outter tank.. this means there is a real tank between the frame and tank covers for the outside. The tank covers were from a Monark I think... They followed the lines of the Schwinn frame almost exact... and I gave each side a 4" stretch and made each side 1 1/4 wider.
yes... those are rust holes in the covers... thin old metal
and laying down the first coat of *Bondo-Glass*
And here's the inner tank... the real one... in the works.
Oh yeah... here's a pic of both covers mocked up and held there with a clamp... just so I could get a visual of what it may look like when finished.
Also, a little grinding on the motor fins is a nice look... and I hated to do it, but I desroyed an antique cast iron school bell to make my soon to be finished air filter
And a picture of how it looks right this moment with the tank covers just sitting there waiting for proper attachment.
I like my headlight but I think I found one a little bigger that would look nicer... Also, I plan on switching things over to a skip tooth drive... hopefully on both sides... I can't wait to finish the tank stuff and move onto the exhaust
Wish me luck. I plan on having this thing on the road by spring... hopefully.
