Some of you may remember the build I started last year in honor of my Dad who had recently been diagnosed with cancer. Here's the original thread:
http://www.ratrodbikes.com/forum/index.php?threads/hellcamino.83308/
He passed two weeks into the build and I haven't done much with bikes since. Fast forward almost a year and I'm ready to "finish" what I started (metaphorically). I actually found another Schwinn straightbar frame in Spitfire blue, which is the blue that triggers fond memories of the bike my Dad rattle-canned for me. And that is my starting point. The plan remains the same: build a rider from my favorite parts across a wide spectrum of bikes. I'm trying to use blue parts, but not necessarily all Spitfire blue, or all Schwinn for that matter. I like original paint so I'm going to have as much of it as I can, and figure out the rest as I go along. I've come to realize that being 6'2" is great for almost everything except riding a balloon tire bike for any distance. So my goal for this BO is create something I will actually ride and that makes me think of my Pop.
So here's my starting point (in the back of my '77 ElCamino):
And in the rack:
Here's a side by side for anyone thinking I'm using the same frame as last year:
And here's a smattering of parts I've accumulated for the build thus far:
Schwinn chain guard
Shelby front fender
Columbia 5 Star headlight
I've still got a few parts I haven't taken pictures of, but one item I'm looking for is an original paint blue Monark deep rear fender, with our without fender braces. I have a green fender that I'll repaint if I can't find one, but some nice crusty OG paint would be even better. If you happen to have one lying around I'd definitely make it worth your while and you could have my green one too.
So this is where I begin!
http://www.ratrodbikes.com/forum/index.php?threads/hellcamino.83308/
He passed two weeks into the build and I haven't done much with bikes since. Fast forward almost a year and I'm ready to "finish" what I started (metaphorically). I actually found another Schwinn straightbar frame in Spitfire blue, which is the blue that triggers fond memories of the bike my Dad rattle-canned for me. And that is my starting point. The plan remains the same: build a rider from my favorite parts across a wide spectrum of bikes. I'm trying to use blue parts, but not necessarily all Spitfire blue, or all Schwinn for that matter. I like original paint so I'm going to have as much of it as I can, and figure out the rest as I go along. I've come to realize that being 6'2" is great for almost everything except riding a balloon tire bike for any distance. So my goal for this BO is create something I will actually ride and that makes me think of my Pop.
So here's my starting point (in the back of my '77 ElCamino):
And in the rack:
Here's a side by side for anyone thinking I'm using the same frame as last year:
And here's a smattering of parts I've accumulated for the build thus far:
Schwinn chain guard
Shelby front fender
Columbia 5 Star headlight
I've still got a few parts I haven't taken pictures of, but one item I'm looking for is an original paint blue Monark deep rear fender, with our without fender braces. I have a green fender that I'll repaint if I can't find one, but some nice crusty OG paint would be even better. If you happen to have one lying around I'd definitely make it worth your while and you could have my green one too.
So this is where I begin!
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