1961 Rollfast Flying Tiger Bike

[Jude Ephesus]

Hey guys,

Thanks for letting me crash the party with a bike I started back in early September.

The plan from the start was a 26” “muscle bike-ish” cruiser.

I’ve been wanting a 26” banana seat bike for sometime, scored a cool tank bike cheap and am now getting around to the build.

The bike has a huge tank that I thought lends itself nicely to the P-40 Warhawk jaws and eyes.

The pictures summarize where I’m at!

Any questions or comments, let em fly!!!

 

[Jude Ephesus]

One note, I thought the decals looked small on the tank. I went up 2 sizes to a 12” x 7” decal.

Once I get it, I’ll add. Should be in later this week.

 

[Jude Ephesus]

The bike was super rough.

I was either going to have a ton of time or money into repairing or replacing a number of key components.

I scored a super clean vintage Huffy women’s bike off Craigslist for $20.

I already tore the bike to pieces and salvaged everything but the frame.

The Huffy had a great wheelset on it with Bendix coaster brake. I’m also going to scab the crank. Also the headset cups and BB cups if they fit.

I wanted some cool colored tires, but the front fork was super narrow. I could not find much of a selection of “big and little” tires in colors.

I just ordered plain black tires and painted the wheels. Rear tire is 26” x 2.125”. Front is 26” x 1.75”

 

[Bike from the Dead]

Looks like you're off to a great start! I like the P-40 Warhawk inspiration you're going for! Can't wait to see the final product!

 

[Dominicus]

Very cool! My great uncle was the guy who first painted shark teeth on a P-40...he was inspired by the shape of the plane and got the idea because they use the same sharks teeth and eyes on Italian fishing boats.

 

[hamqqea]

The earliest piece of nose art was a sea monster painted on the nose of an Italian flying boat in 1913

other examples hehe

OUCH!

 

[RustyGold]

Nose art...

 

[Jude Ephesus]

The earliest piece of nose art was a sea monster painted on the nose of an Italian flying boat in 1913

other examples hehe

OUCH!

Totally cool insight!

I had no idea the nose art went back that far!

Thanks for the education!

 

[hamqqea]

So many shark teeth variations! You have make an attempt at your own rather than a decal. It doesn't have to be perfect. I actually prefer the amateur pieces a lot.

 

[sdframe]

Nice work, Jude. I look forward to seeing the finished product.

 

[Dominicus]

Eyes on a ship or plane are done to ward off evil...that tradition goes way back to Greek triremes. Pin up nose art is like an evolution of the figurehead on the bow. Aye superstition yarrrr!

 

[Jude Ephesus]

So many shark teeth variations! You have make an attempt at your own rather than a decal. It doesn't have to be perfect. I actually prefer the amateur pieces a lot.

Agreed.... I hear you.

sometimes I get caught up doing stuff and don’t let up.

I didn’t want to sink 5-10 hours into making the decals..... $15 and I’m done and can move onto the rest of the build.

I’ve got plenty of time into painting the wheels and adding the green to the frame, forks and rear wheel mounts.

My head badge also got sand blasted and I’m going to have some time into custom painting that thing.....

Without a doubt, handmade eyes and teeth would add a ton of character, but I just didn’t want to spend the time on it.

 

[hamqqea]

I didn’t want to sink 5-10 hours into making the decals..... $15 and I’m done and can move onto the rest of the build.

You're my guy, and I understand...but

Those war vets are looking down at you also...



Just playin'

 

[Jude Ephesus]

You're my guy, and I understand...but

Those war vets are looking down at you also...



Just playin'

Oh, they’re looking down alright!

Plenty from my family to boot!!!

I got a “pre-vet” going in this summer

United States Navy Nurse Corps

Here she is just after being sworn in...

 

[Jude Ephesus]

Decals came out good.

The vinyl was super thin..... and super sticky!!!!

Fortunately I had worked with large vinyl decals before and knew how to use the windex and squeegee to easily position and flatten out.

 

[Captain Awesome]

Decals came out good.

The vinyl was super thin..... and super sticky!!!!

Fortunately I had worked with large vinyl decals before and knew how to use the windex and squeegee to easily position and flatten out.
View attachment 142375

Those are ridiculously awesome!!

 

[hamqqea]

Good stuff Jude! Came out fantastic! Fit's perfectly. I take back what I said. Felt pretty proud to ride around on the bike I made the shark tooth tank bike I showed you. I didn't just copy, I studied the art form and felt a connection with the pilots.

 

[RustyGold]

Your tank looks excellent!!!

 

[Jude Ephesus]

Got me some big and little’s!

I’m going to dress up the rubber/ sidewalls with some sort of lettering

-also, you can’t really see in the pic’, but there is some overspray on the spokes.... gotta get that off.

 

[Jude Ephesus]

I haven’t been too productive on this thing.... I ordered some additional pinstripes for the green wheel areas, but they never came in!!!

Got in the bottom bracket, headset cups and crank and chain ring in.