A MOUNTAIN RAT BMX

[Shrunken_Head_Pedaler]

Sometimes, projects just fall in your lap at the right time. Last year, I found my 59’ Schwinn frame at the Cool Bikes Club swap meet, which was right at the start of the build off. This time, my apartment complex decided to get rid of all bike racks. Any bikes that weren’t removed would be at the dumpsters. I made a round and didn’t see much I was interested in, but the 29” wheels caught my eye. Wound up being a Wally World bike, mostly unridden. No seat or post, but complete otherwise. Also found a Schwinn women’s mountain bike, missing the front wheel. Fair entry level mountain bikes and they were free. I came across a couple of BMX bikes, and removed some handlebars and some other good bits. Then I thought this would be a nice big boy BMX/Mountain Bike mashup. Time to clean it up, mock up some alternative bars and learn a bit about derailer’s. The satin black finish will be a nice canvas for some bright colors. I may sew up some custom pads for the bars and frame. This is build-off #4 for me. Always fun!

 

[rickpaulos]

I recognize that bike. I sold these two 5/29.

 

[Pondo]

Should be a cool and fun project for very low $$. I like the upper set of BMX bars, they're just cool.

 

[Shrunken_Head_Pedaler]

Should be a cool and fun project for very low $$. I like the upper set of BMX bars, they're just cool.

Agreed. And they are from a Mongoose freestyle bike. I think I have a mongoose seat post from a previous find. Nice to keep parts in the same family. Even if generic.

 

[Shrunken_Head_Pedaler]

The bars have been chosen.

 

[Shrunken_Head_Pedaler]

I recognize that bike. I sold these two 5/29.

Do you know what year these are from? Haven’t checked the serial number out yet.

 

[kingfish254]

If you go this route, I suggest you change the "S" to a "R" on the downtube.
It will be a GAS!!!!

 

[Funkme]

Big boy BMX. Great choice on the bars...

 

[Shrunken_Head_Pedaler]

If you go this route, I suggest you change the "S" to a "R" on the downtube.
It will be a GAS!!!!


View attachment 230151

I’m with you on this!

 

[Shrunken_Head_Pedaler]

Big boy BMX. Great choice on the bars...

Thanks. What a lucky find. I think it fits the shapes of the fork well.

 

[LukeTheJoker]

Sew up some custom pads for the frame and bars?

COOL!

 

[Shrunken_Head_Pedaler]

Took the evening last night to clean up the bike. Not a scratch on the bike. Looks to be assembled and rode very little. Being this was a Walmart bike, it was poorly assembled. The

brake up front is out of alignment and bends the disc when the brake is engaged. The rear wheel is very sloppy. Hopefully I can get things cinched up where the wheel won’t slap around, otherwise I may have end up donating this bike back to the garbage can. It also has a rusted chain which is causing the chain derailer to act up. This could very well be a DNF build.

 

[Pondo]

This could very well be a DNF build.

If this one doesn't work out you cold always build a dirt jumper with the donor frame. With a little paint it might be cool.

 

[OddJob]

SHP, as you shared, this was Wally-built. Bearing adjust on rear wheel, new chain, front brake caliper alignment and you might be good to go!

Let me know if I can assist in any of the above, via video or otherwise.

Great bar choice whichever way you go with the build direction!

 

[Shrunken_Head_Pedaler]

If this one doesn't work out you cold always build a dirt jumper with the donor frame. With a little paint it might be cool.

good idea! That might be a nice plan B. Definitely decided on paint if I get it rideable. I found the paint to match my Jeep TJ. It’s a light khaki metallic, and comes in aerosol form.

 

[Shrunken_Head_Pedaler]

SHP, as you shared, this was Wally-built. Bearing adjust on rear wheel, new chain, front brake caliper alignment and you might be good to go!

Let me know if I can assist in any of the above, via video or otherwise.

Great bar choice whichever way you go with the build direction!

Thank you for the offer of assistance. I’m going to start with the rear wheel over the next couple of days. Hopefully I can handle the issues there. The disc brake and caliper is new to me. I’ll post some video of what it is doing. The wheel definitely needs alignment in the fork, and then I can assess those issues. I haven’t spent any money on the thing yet. I have a seat post on its way. Which will put me in at around 10 dollars.

 

[Shrunken_Head_Pedaler]

I got the Mongoose freestyle bike bars mocked up with a BMX stem I happened to already have. Also, I have this old Persons bmx style seat that I may use. If feels good to get a few parts out of boxes and on to bikes. I have another stem in mind. The handlebars will be a little crowded feeling with the brake levers and shift mechanisms attached, but I will enjoy the new riding position. I’ve never liked mountain bikes, due to the riding position over the front portion of the bike. Seat post will be here tomorrow, then I will start working on the sloppy rear wheel.

 

[Slow-Rider]

The handlebars will be a little crowded feeling with the brake levers and shift mechanisms

??? couldn't you say run one off these? Bicycle Shifter Brake Lever Combo SET, Mountain Bike
[img[https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/RZkAAOSwTDhiU67X/s-l1600.jpg[/img]

or grip shifters and brake levers.

or just extend the bars longer. to get more room.
6061 Aluminum extensions, custom sizing available, will come sized @ .740 ID for standard cromo BMX bars unless you specify otherwise. Two styles available:


REMOVABLE design available for lengths UP TO 1.25" per side. Can be transplanted to your new bike if you desire. 1/2" 3/4" 1" shown:

 

[MattiThundrrr]

That is looking really fun. I fully support what you are doing here

 

[Shrunken_Head_Pedaler]

The handlebars will be a little crowded feeling with the brake levers and shift mechanisms

??? couldn't you say run one off these? Bicycle Shifter Brake Lever Combo SET, Mountain Bike
[img[https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/RZkAAOSwTDhiU67X/s-l1600.jpg[/img]

or grip shifters and brake levers.

or just extend the bars longer. to get more room.
6061 Aluminum extensions, custom sizing available, will come sized @ .740 ID for standard cromo BMX bars unless you specify otherwise. Two styles available:


REMOVABLE design available for lengths UP TO 1.25" per side. Can be transplanted to your new bike if you desire. 1/2" 3/4" 1" shown:

Very good ideas! If I fall in love with this bike, I may end up doing the brake lever/shifter upgrade. There is room for everything on the new handlebars, just a bit crowded with the cross bar. It actually looks pretty tough. The quality of the sum of the parts is just not there, to spend much money on this bike. The de-railer sucks, crank has a wobble, front caliper brake needs some work, rusted chain and some other rust to clean up. Both wheels need trued. It was donated to the dumpster and I scooped it up. So far I have spent ten bucks for a seat post and that is it. If I can make it through each part and make it all functional, this should be a nice bike. With the slop in the wheel bearings, I know I will be disassembling the hubs to actually grease them. Something Walmart fails to do. Thank you for your input!