TRADITIONAL Behrens Viscount

[OddJob]

I had to go back a page to remember the other components in this build. Is that cool front rack gonna make the cut? Any ideas for RaT-ifying the shiny black tank? A little light mist from 3-4 ft with brown that matches your frame tones and a flat matte black might do the trick.

Looking forward to the assembly! RaT oN~!

 

[kingfish254]

I really like those tires. I also like the clean, but different lines of the guard. Let's see this thing back together now.

 

[Fv2]

I had to go back a page to remember the other components in this build. Is that cool front rack gonna make the cut? Any ideas for RaT-ifying the shiny black tank? A little light mist from 3-4 ft with brown that matches your frame tones and a flat matte black might do the trick.

Looking forward to the assembly! RaT oN~!

Front rack: Yes.
Black tank: No, didn't like it so much.
Possible rear rack not shown:

 

[Fv2]

Ok. I'm still on the fence about the rear rack, but leaning toward using it.

Aside from that decision, I've pretty much finished this one. I went with red coke bottle grips, they look pretty good in my eye.

And a video.

 

[OddJob]

As you well know, my formerly beer named thespian, I loves me a ride video! Great to hear your voice and get the deets on your build. Really like the overall patina and that chain guard is very cool!

 

[Pondo]

The bike looks great! I really like the red walls and the red grips go really well with them. Great patina build. I think the rear rack could look really good with some patina matching too. Loved the ride video too. Nice job!

 

[twojs.bike]

That is such a cool frame! The headbadge alone makes it. I would buy that bike in a second.

I like how you left it ratty. If it was mine, the only thing I would work on is the tire rubbing on the fender. But then again, maybe that adds to the character. I live in a fairly flat town and that would be perfect for cruising around.

I like the rear rack too. I wouldn’t bother dirtying it up. Just mount it as is.

 

[Fv2]

The bike looks great! I really like the red walls and the red grips go really well with them. Great patina build. I think the rear rack could look really good with some patina matching too. Loved the ride video too. Nice job!

That is such a cool frame! The headbadge alone makes it. I would buy that bike in a second.

I like how you left it ratty. If it was mine, the only thing I would work on is the tire rubbing on the fender. But then again, maybe that adds to the character. I live in a fairly flat town and that would be perfect for cruising around.

I like the rear rack too. I wouldn’t bother dirtying it up. Just mount it as is.

Actually, working on the rack to match it to the front. Not sure why though, as I may put saddlebags on there.

The tire rubbing will drive me crazy, so I'm gonna try to true the wheels. I've never successfully done that, but maybe the 500th attempt is the charm.

I wanted to get this put together because it will be a neighbor cruiser, but going on the annual family island vacation soon. So need a way to get around up there.

 

[Pondo]

Actually, working on the rack to match it to the front. Not sure why though, as I may put saddlebags on there.

The tire rubbing will drive me crazy, so I'm gonna try to true the wheels. I've never successfully done that, but maybe the 500th attempt is the charm.

I wanted to get this put together because it will be a neighbor cruiser, but going on the annual family island vacation soon. So need a way to get around up there.

The Park Tool YouTube channel has good tutorials on wheel truing that I like.

 

[Fv2]

Got the rear rack dirtied up and installed.

Project bike, meets project boat.

 

[twojs.bike]

Truing wheels can be relaxing if you have a relaxed attitude towards it. It can either be art or science. You can literally do it by feel or by measurement.

Either way with a crusty old wheel I would start by putting a drop of light and/or penetrating oil on each nipple. I also like to put a piece of tape on one spoke so as I spin the wheel I can keep track of where I started.

Nothing wrong with doing it be feel. Literally feel every spoke and tighten any that feel loose. Then just spin the wheel and find spots out of true and tighten spokes to correct. YouTube always helps.

I tend to get a little more scientific and measure everything, but either way works.

Looking at your wheels and they look homemade. The spoke pattern doesn’t appear to align properly with the valve stem. It’s not a structural problem, but leads me to believe they were not professionally built. I wouldn’t worry about it, other than validating that they need to be trued.

I marked in red where the valve should be. Or maybe it is just the angle of the picture?

 

[twojs.bike]

P.S. I can’t believe I used the word “literally” twice. I literally sound like my teenage niece. Literally

 

[Fv2]

Truing wheels can be relaxing if you have a relaxed attitude towards it. It can either be art or science. You can literally do it by feel or by measurement.

Either way with a crusty old wheel I would start by putting a drop of light and/or penetrating oil on each nipple. I also like to put a piece of tape on one spoke so as I spin the wheel I can keep track of where I started.

Nothing wrong with doing it be feel. Literally feel every spoke and tighten any that feel loose. Then just spin the wheel and find spots out of true and tighten spokes to correct. YouTube always helps.

I tend to get a little more scientific and measure everything, but either way works.

Looking at your wheels and they look homemade. The spoke pattern doesn’t appear to align properly with the valve stem. It’s not a structural problem, but leads me to believe they were not professionally built. I wouldn’t worry about it, other than validating that they need to be trued.

I marked in red where the valve should be. Or maybe it is just the angle of the picture?
View attachment 273569

I'm not sure where the wheels came from. I thought Murray Westport, but the rear hub is Shimano. So no clue.
I'll tinker around with them in a day or two.

P.S. I can’t believe I used the word “literally” twice. I literally sound like my teenage niece. Literally

I have teen and tween granddaughters. The tween is bad about literally and legit. I asked her why she keeps saying legit, she said I don't know. I said do you know what it means? She says no, I hear mom say it, I thought it was a bad word... Then why do you keep saying it?

 

[kingfish254]

I like how this one turned out. The guard looks great on there. I wasn't a fan of the rear rack, but looks like you have it matching well. That frame has some cool sweeping curves too it that keep it from looking like Schwinn cantis (which is a good thing). Nice rat brother!

 

[OddJob]

Yeah, nice RacK-tina on the rear one! What was your process / materials used? Inquiring minds want to know...

 

[Fv2]

I like how this one turned out. The guard looks great on there. I wasn't a fan of the rear rack, but looks like you have it matching well. That frame has some cool sweeping curves too it that keep it from looking like Schwinn cantis (which is a good thing). Nice rat brother!

Yeah, nice RacK-tina on the rear one! What was your process / materials used? Inquiring minds want to know...

View attachment 273654

The rack actually matches the fenders almost perfectly, I was aiming for matching the front rack. So, happy accident. But it's pretty close.

OJ. I started out with the left over modern masters rust paint I used on Ratillac way back. Only problem, I was out of activator. So primer, rust paint, then white vinegar as activator. It didn't work. So, red scotch brite followed by brown rattle can, more scotch brite. Tan rattle, scotch brite. Black rattle sparingly from a distance, more scotch brite.
So, nothing out of the ordinary. Whole process took about 20 minutes, light coats dry fast, and I'm impatient.

I like how this one turned out. The guard looks great on there. I wasn't a fan of the rear rack, but looks like you have it matching well. That frame has some cool sweeping curves too it that keep it from looking like Schwinn cantis (which is a good thing). Nice rat brother!

Yes. I'm not a schwinn fan, so not looking like one is good for me.

 

[OddJob]

The rack actually matches the fenders almost perfectly, I was aiming for matching the front rack. So, happy accident. But it's pretty close.

OJ. I started out with the left over modern masters rust paint I used on Ratillac way back. Only problem, I was out of activator. So primer, rust paint, then white vinegar as activator. It didn't work. So, red scotch brite followed by brown rattle can, more scotch brite. Tan rattle, scotch brite. Black rattle sparingly from a distance, more scotch brite.
So, nothing out of the ordinary. Whole process took about 20 minutes, light coats dry fast, and I'm impatient.

If I recall, I believe Ratillac was an OddJob Award winner, correct? The bike you built and took with on the first Ohio Players world tour? The year before you stopped in Minnesota.

I everything about your process and description! You got a great match to the frame / fenders / etc.

Now...about that saddle....

 

[Pondo]

I just searched Ratillac as I hadn’t seen that bike before, holy smokes! How have I not run across that one before? Very awesome build, look it up if you haven’t seen it yet! I’ve got a build thread to catch up on….

 

[Fv2]

If I recall, I believe Ratillac was an OddJob Award winner, correct? The bike you built and took with on the first Ohio Players world tour? The year before you stopped in Minnesota.

I everything about your process and description! You got a great match to the frame / fenders / etc.

Now...about that saddle....

No. I got your award for rELEVENt setback. I think Ratillac was an honorable mention due to it was mostly clean, with some poorly done fauxyina. Either way, still got an oddjob award.

And the saddle. Yeah, it's fat.
I had an 80s messenger on there, but wanted to try this one.

I just searched Ratillac as I hadn’t seen that bike before, holy smokes! How have I not run across that one before? Very awesome build, look it up if you haven’t seen it yet! I’ve got a build thread to catch up on….

Thanks. That bike is the only one I wish I still had. The company no longer exists that makes them, but with my experience in fiberglass over the past 4 years, I might build my own body one day.

 

[OddJob]

Yes! rELEVENt Setback. Also one of the best RRB BO names ever.