BLACKBIRD (Skylark TRM Convertible)

[The Renaissance Man]

1936 Elgin Blackbird

see the build thread HERE.


- starting point -

- details -

- the process -




the frame was in serious need of alignment.

built a jig and worked everything back to straight

No fenders came with the bike
so I made a rear fender out of fiberglass
the TRM Mullet Fender

added a TRM Covertible Tank

reworked the wheels

made a front fender brace
and fitted a another fiberglass rear fender to the fork

created a Blubird style front fender using the Mullet fender

made a mold

finally made a new TRM front fender

created a fiberglass pod for the light switch and badge

made a brass headbadge

there was other obvious work
like painting and assembly

no pictures needed (we all know what that looks like!)


If you made it all of the way to the bottom
and you're still reading this...Thanks for looking!​

 

[kingfish254]

Finally you crazy fool!!!

 

[KJV]

And he slides in all on.. the coaster brake at the last minute.

 

[The Renaissance Man]

- information -

1936 Elgin Skylark step through frame and fork
Skylark chain and skirt guards
TRM Convertible Tank
TRM front and rear Mullet Fenders
Skylark crank, sprocket & skiptooth chain
reproduction Streamline pedals
prewar Elgin air cooled hubs & triple step rims
Schwinn Aerovane 26x3 tires
prewar Persons long spring saddle
reproduction crossbar handle bars
prewar Elgin stem
reproduction torpedo grips
custom head badge
1950's Norco Whirl-Away spoke bird

​

 

[Speed King]

Oh man. I'm seriously diggin' that. Nice job. The little blackbird in the wheel....

 

[toro1978]

Oh man. I'm seriously diggin' that. Nice job. The little blackbird in the wheel....

ROFL I was so focused on the looks of the bike that even though TRM introduced that bird-whistle some days ago, I never realized that it is a "Blackbird" as in the bike's name!

 

[The Renaissance Man]

Thanks y'all!

I updated my last minute posts from last night.

 

[Chad T]

Loved watching this as usual. Great debut for the Mullet fenders. They look awesome on this. Red stripes really set it off. Can't believe how black the rims and sprocket look.

Was trying to post to this thread last night when it went into lock down mode.

 

[The Renaissance Man]

^^^I upgraded my opening post with more pictures and Cliff Notes. ^^^

Sorry that it has taken two extra days just to get my finished thread together!
You would think that four mounths would be plenty of time!

 

[KJV]

Looking forward to:
Seeing this one, totally finished in the nesr
future .

 

[The Renaissance Man]

It will stay like it is for a while. They are never totally finished though!

___________________________________________

Here's my final garage shot...

 

[Chad T]

It will stay like it is for a while. They are never totally finished though!
​

She looks pretty good like that although the Harley olive sounded interesting. Does that bird whistle when you ride?

 

[The Renaissance Man]

She looks pretty good like that although the Harley olive sounded interesting. Does that bird whistle when you ride?

As I suspected I'm liking the black and red so much that I'll probably save the olive paint for another build!

The bird has not whistled yet. We'll see what happens when I get it spinning faster down the big hill close by!

 

[Skipton]

Another killer bike of yours.
The tire to fender clearance is spot on, so smooth looking. So glad you made those tires fit.
Amazing work as always.

 

[The Renaissance Man]

Thanks @Skipton , glad you like it!
It was a fight to get the tires to work but well worth it in the end.

 

[The Renaissance Man]

Thank you to everyone that voted for the Blackbird!

I truly appreciate all of the kind words, suggestions and banter the we shared for the past four months. It's always a pleasure to be a part of this community that proves that even in competition there is still room for solidarity and civility.

Rat on, Jim

 

[kingfish254]

CONGRATS on another killer build and well deserved WIN!!!!!

 

[rat krate orange]

- information -

1936 Elgin Skylark step through frame and fork
Skylark chain and skirt guards
TRM Convertible Tank
TRM front and rear Mullet Fenders
Skylark crank, sprocket & skiptooth chain
reproduction Streamline pedals
prewar Elgin air cooled hubs & triple step rims
Schwinn Aerovane 26x3 tires
prewar Persons long spring saddle
reproduction crossbar handle bars
prewar Elgin stem
reproduction torpedo grips
custom head badge
1950's Norco Whirl-Away spoke bird

View attachment 104923
View attachment 104926




​

One question about this OVER THE TOP Blackbird, what tires did you use and what size are they? Thanks and LOVE this Elgin... RaToN... Razin...

 

[MattiThundrrr]

what tires did you use and what size are they?

Schwinn Aerovane 26x3 tires

 

[The Renaissance Man]

What he said ^

The next question is usually 'where can I get them?'. The only source that I have found is finding and buying a Schwinn Aerovane bike just for the tires. I've bought two sets that way.