Back half it.

[outskirtscustoms]

So I am jumping into my first chop job on a bike. I have a 1944 CWC frame I really want to build because it's the oldest bike that I own. Unfortunately the rear frame is rotted out in the rear chain stay area near the kickstand and more closer to the rear dropout. So it needs a whole new back half.

So enter the new back half... This Workman Industrial trike with a super boring front half.

It has some really beefy looking 24" wheels on the rear with thick spokes and wide rim hoops so going with some Big Daddy 24x4 tires and a 20x3 up front.

Plan is to cut something like this diagram on both bikes and keep the entire trike drivetrain intact and thus straight. Then sleeve the seat tube and downtube and weld the upper junction and maybe add a little more rake just for cool factor.

 

[outskirtscustoms]

So I got digging around with a screwdriver and see how far the rust goes. Looks like the rear is toast but the front is solid where it counts.

Also got to look at the rear end under the little plywood deck. Kinda cool setup and would be easy to make some lift blocks or flip the axle for more low... Might also fab up a brake on the axle.

 

[outskirtscustoms]

Well it's officially been back halfed. Took my pipe cutter and cut off the crusty bits for better access going to have to get the grinder out and sacrifice the crank arm as a pedal is seized in it and broken off so I'll have to cut the arm. Going to cut the chain stays off flush with the bottom bracket and the seat stays flush with the seat tube and lay it into the seat tube of the other trike for extra strength. This will also give me 2 positions for the crank one at regular placement and one about 2 or 3 inches forward of original placement. I'm going to weld the two bottom brackets together then plate it to make it stronger than it ever needs to be to prevent problems down the road. Maybe I'm just over-thinking it. Anyway here's tonight's progress picture. Any comments or feedback is greatly appreciated.

 

[outskirtscustoms]

So I got the rest of the chain stays removed from the bottom bracket and ground everything flush. The seat junction I made concave so I can join it to the existing seat tube easier and keep the seat tube from both bikes for added strength and to triangulate everything with factory welds this will also give me just a hint of extra rake.

 

[Lowe Beau]

So I got digging around with a screwdriver and see how far the rust goes. Looks like the rear is toast but the front is solid where it counts.
View attachment 221802
Also got to look at the rear end under the little plywood deck. Kinda cool setup and would be easy to make some lift blocks or flip the axle for more low... Might also fab up a brake on the axle. View attachment 221803

Wow that rear triangle was eroded. Is it me or does anyone feel a slight sadness when you see an antique bicycle with a hole like that? Maybe it’s just me being odd. I dunno.

 

[outskirtscustoms]

Well here goes the leap of faith. I just got this perfectly ridable Workman trike and have never even ridden it and I just back-halfed it for no reason other than to save a frame that was junk in the first place but looks cooler.... WORTH IT!!!

Decided to use a 3 point attachment utilizing the trike's original upper tube, The CWC seat stays, and one bottom bracket to the other.

I didn't know weather to line up the rear seat stays with the top or middle tube so I went right smack between them. I might fill the gap between the two seat tubes later.

I grabbed a front wheel and had to get a look at it just to get the vision. Also had this rear rack I salvaged from a Huffy Cranbrookwind-what-ever-they-call-it I might use as a bed platform to mount the bed on it.

 

[outskirtscustoms]

Wow that rear triangle was eroded. Is it me or does anyone feel a slight sadness when you see an antique bicycle with a hole like that? Maybe it’s just me being odd. I dunno.

Same it's like looking at a gunshot wound. What can be saved will be saved though it will live on as a trike and I will cherish it for years to come. I can't wait to get my new tires in and get them on.





Anyone need a set of rear dropouts?...

 

[outskirtscustoms]

So I have decided that this trike needs a fully adjustable triple tree front fork, ape hangers, and a big motorcycle style headlight. I am however torn on what front wheel option to go with...

Option one: simple and safe 26x2.125

Option 2: mild attitude 20x3

Option 3: bagger style big wheel 32 inches of massive front wheel tucked under this bad trike. This is what I really want to play with.

 

[curtisfox]

Do the 32...........Curt ----I see you are from KOKOMO always loved the motorcycle,

 

[horsefarmer]

Your build is cool - reminds me of a harley servi car

 

[outskirtscustoms]

Do the 32...........Curt ----I see you are from KOKOMO always loved the motorcycle,

I have a Schwinn Kokomo I'm building to look like a modern version of that motorcycle. One of my many projects. I have seen that exact bike in person back when Moody Cycle was still in business.

 

[curtisfox]

KOOL, Like the survey car also............Curt

 

[outskirtscustoms]

Tires came in today and I have the old tires and tubes stuffed in the new ones and aired up way past safe range to help the tires flex back out from being flat packed. Frame is ready for welding tomorrow. Ride the lightning little buddy....

 

[outskirtscustoms]

New ones absolutely dwarf the original.

 

[outskirtscustoms]

Do the 32...........Curt ----I see you are from KOKOMO always loved the motorcycle,

Here's some pics from a few years ago when Moody was still in business and the Kokomo was still on display.

 

[curtisfox]

Thank you, I have a book " American Motorcycle, by Tod Rafferty " but don't have that many pictures............Curt

 

[Ulu]

Hey thanks for all the Kokomo pictures, Outskirts. Really revealing as far as what I’d like to do with a girder.

 

[outskirtscustoms]

So I brought in the big 32 inch wheel just to get an idea and it doesn't look bad still not sure.

My boss Phil helped me out and brought in his welder and his novice experience at sticking things together with lightning.

Little mock up

Oh yeah... Beefy

 

[outskirtscustoms]

I never really thought about it till my boss who welded it for me pointed it out but I've never seen a dedicated trike that didn't have a step through frame aka girl's frames. I have seen a few bolt on trike kits installed on men's frames but still not often. I know it's easier to throw a leg over but structurally men's frames are stronger and look better.

 

[ifitsfreeitsforme]

looking great.