Airship

[GTHOtrod]

Welcome to my 'Airship' build for RRBO16.
I have a passion for these old school Australian 3 peice wheels, and wanted to incorporate them into my build off bike. Starting with some lengths of tube, an unloved mtb, a pair of Simmons wheels and some 28x10.5 M/T slicks.
Here is the finished product.

The starting point for the build

The 'It really works' video

Link to build thread. https://ratrodbikes.com/forum/threads/airship.113675/

 

[Graffix1972]

A bold project

 

[Frankie plekhand]

Wow man, such a beautiful build! Those drag tires fit your bike really well! Congrats on finishing!

 

[GTHOtrod]

A few build pictures along the way.

Parts from the sacrificial donor bike

Machining the fork components

Bending frame tubing

Machining hub components

Mock up of basic frame before final welding

rear triangle components

Finish welded frame

Final mock up assembly for test riding, before tearing it apart for paint

Frame in fresh blue paint

Freshly painted wheel centres.

 

[OddJob]

Wow! Even though it's so 'out there' it's just such a clean build that flows and fits together so well!
And your photography acumen is exceeded only by your build skills. Great photos! I actually like the second one, even though the tires have some gravel dust on them. It has such an earthy , down low , look to it.

Congrats on a unique and stunning build.

 

[GTHOtrod]

Wow man, such a beautiful build! Those drag tires fit your bike really well! Congrats on finishing!

Thank you

 

[GTHOtrod]

Wow! Even though it's so 'out there' it's just such a clean build that flows and fits together so well!
And your photography acumen is exceeded only by your build skills. Great photos! I actually like the second one, even though the tires have some gravel dust on them. It has such an earthy , down low , look to it.

Congrats on a unique and stunning build.

Thanks for the kind words. I took so many photos trying different ideas, to see what might work and what wouldn't.

 

[ifitsfreeitsforme]

coolest bike ever.

 

[GTHOtrod]

The 'It really works' video

I have edited the first post to now include the ride video.

 

[bleedingfingers]

That thing is awesome well done .

 

[GTHOtrod]

coolest bike ever.

Thanks dude

 

[GTHOtrod]

That thing is awesome well done .

Thank you

 

[CruJones]

Wow wow wow.! Absolutely love it !

 

[kingfish254]

CONGRATS ON WINNING BUILD OFF 16 CLASS 2 WITH AIRSHIP!!!!!!!!

 

[GTHOtrod]

CONGRATS ON WINNING BUILD OFF 16 CLASS 2 WITH AIRSHIP!!!!!!!!

Thank you @kingfish254, and Thank you to all those who, Voted, participated, moderated and followed along. I had a great time with my first build off bike, and chatting with like minded folk along the way. Its a great forum, and look forward to more builds in the future.
I'm over the moon with the positive response to the Airship. Thank you all.

 

[LukeTheJoker]

AWESOME!

 

[Captain Awesome]

Internet famous

 

[Son of Kradus]

Internet famous

Coool. has somebody used his bike as their profile pic?? Cant believe I missed this build,
GT.... Love that rear hub work, wish i'd seen this before I built "Blue Meanie" would have gone this way. Given me ideas for the next bike thats for sure!
Can I ask have you shaped the edge's of those tyre's they look to have a good round profile across the top! ie, not flat.

 

[GTHOtrod]

Coool. has somebody used his bike as their profile pic?? Cant believe I missed this build,
GT.... Love that rear hub work, wish i'd seen this before I built "Blue Meanie" would have gone this way. Given me ideas for the next bike thats for sure!
Can I ask have you shaped the edge's of those tyre's they look to have a good round profile across the top! ie, not flat.

That's my profile pic, my first build on the forum.
I mounted a 10.5" wide drag slick, onto a 4.5" wide rim. That gave me the round tread profile I was looking for, for a bike.