Bones Bomber
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Mocked up the Bones Bomber, and took it for a shake down ride this morning. A couple observations: First, this is a kick ... bike to ride. It's big, brawny and while it's not technically a "fat bike", this thing eats up the bumps and ruts on the trail.
That said, the gearing is a bit off. It's a heavy bike, but the 25-13 is just too tall. May need to try a 15 or 16 back there. Also, with big, heavy wheels/tires, the coaster is not enough brake. Need to think about adding a front brake to this one...
[edit - for some reason the picture won't show up, and I don't have it saved anywhere else. Now that it's in pieces, I guess a mock up pic will have to wait]
That said, the gearing is a bit off. It's a heavy bike, but the 25-13 is just too tall. May need to try a 15 or 16 back there. Also, with big, heavy wheels/tires, the coaster is not enough brake. Need to think about adding a front brake to this one...
[edit - for some reason the picture won't show up, and I don't have it saved anywhere else. Now that it's in pieces, I guess a mock up pic will have to wait]
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This build has been off and on for a bit, but now I think I have it all sorted out. It will be pretty quick - not a lot of stripping or rust removal here. I think I might even enter it in the Rat Rod Bikes winter build off.
This is a tribute bike to Powell Peralta and The Bones Brigade - it will all make sense once the paint goes on... At least I hope it will.
I'm trying something new with the rims here. I was inspired by somehting that I saw The Cruiser Shop do for one of their customers... Wheel wraps. The rims are 24" x 57mm by 3G.
It took some searching, but I tracked down a wrap (from the UK) that I think will work with the theme.
The black and white Sticker Bomb. I was never really a DC guy, but Vans, Powell Peralta, Independent... This looks like it will work. I have never wrapped anything before, and honestly, I expect this to look like hell. I cut a section, then applied it on the inside of the rim.
It went on pretty easy at first, but getting it up on the sides if the rim took some work. And a blow dryer. In fact, the blow dryer is the most important tool when applying vinyl wraps on rims. I'm not gonna lie, there are some bubbles on this thing, but luckily for me, you can't really see them through the sticker bomb design.
I laced the rim to a Sturmey Archer 2-speed kickback hub - my go-to hub at the moment. there is nothing more theraputic than lacing a wheel. Seriously.
All wrapped up and a Felt Berm Master 24x4 wheel mounted, and so far, so good! It's a wild pattern, but I think the rims are small enough that it won't be too obnoxious... Maybe just the right amount of obnoxious.
This is a tribute bike to Powell Peralta and The Bones Brigade - it will all make sense once the paint goes on... At least I hope it will.
I'm trying something new with the rims here. I was inspired by somehting that I saw The Cruiser Shop do for one of their customers... Wheel wraps. The rims are 24" x 57mm by 3G.
It took some searching, but I tracked down a wrap (from the UK) that I think will work with the theme.
The black and white Sticker Bomb. I was never really a DC guy, but Vans, Powell Peralta, Independent... This looks like it will work. I have never wrapped anything before, and honestly, I expect this to look like hell. I cut a section, then applied it on the inside of the rim.
It went on pretty easy at first, but getting it up on the sides if the rim took some work. And a blow dryer. In fact, the blow dryer is the most important tool when applying vinyl wraps on rims. I'm not gonna lie, there are some bubbles on this thing, but luckily for me, you can't really see them through the sticker bomb design.
I laced the rim to a Sturmey Archer 2-speed kickback hub - my go-to hub at the moment. there is nothing more theraputic than lacing a wheel. Seriously.
All wrapped up and a Felt Berm Master 24x4 wheel mounted, and so far, so good! It's a wild pattern, but I think the rims are small enough that it won't be too obnoxious... Maybe just the right amount of obnoxious.
That is awesome! You have me thinking now...This build has been off and on for a bit, but now I think I have it all sorted out. It will be pretty quick - not a lot of stripping or rust removal here. I think I might even enter it in the Rat Rod Bikes winter build off.
This is a tribute bike to Powell Peralta and The Bones Brigade - it will all make sense once the paint goes on... At least I hope it will.
I'm trying something new with the rims here. I was inspired by somehting that I saw The Cruiser Shop do for one of their customers... Wheel wraps. The rims are 24" x 57mm by 3G.
It took some searching, but I tracked down a wrap (from the UK) that I think will work with the theme.
The black and white Sticker Bomb. I was never really a DC guy, but Vans, Powell Peralta, Independent... This looks like it will work. I have never wrapped anything before, and honestly, I expect this to look like heck. I cut a section, then applied it on the inside of the rim.
It went on pretty easy at first, but getting it up on the sides if the rim took some work. And a blow dryer. In fact, the blow dryer is the most important tool when applying vinyl wraps on rims. I'm not gonna lie, there are some bubbles on this thing, but luckily for me, you can't really see them through the sticker bomb design.
I laced the rim to a Sturmey Archer 2-speed kickback hub - my go-to hub at the moment. there is nothing more theraputic than lacing a wheel. Seriously.
All wrapped up and a Felt Berm Master 24x4 wheel mounted, and so far, so good! It's a wild pattern, but I think the rims are small enough that it won't be too obnoxious... Maybe just the right amount of obnoxious.
Luke.
The pressure of the tire sealing on the rim will stop it wanting to peel away too, very, very cool!
Luke.
Luke.
That looks very cool would you mind sharing the source of the wrap, I would love to see what other designs they have?
does that stuff stretch, how do you keep it flat over the curvature of the brake surface.
does that stuff stretch, how do you keep it flat over the curvature of the brake surface.
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Sure thing, MIGZ. I got it from these guys. http://www.ebay.com/usr/rockstarprint
Installing the wrap was certainly faster than painting it, but this is an impossible task without a blow dryer, and maybe a 3rd hand. Seriously, I couldn't take any pictures during the install because both hands were working the wrap, while I was balancing the blow dryer in my armpit.
This is the frame I'm using. Some of you may remember this frame from a build I did in 2012 called "The Bishop". It was a cool bike, but the aluminum tank was a pain. I simply got tired of polishing "The Bishop" before every ride. I'll be stripping, priming, and painting this one over the weekend.
Installing the wrap was certainly faster than painting it, but this is an impossible task without a blow dryer, and maybe a 3rd hand. Seriously, I couldn't take any pictures during the install because both hands were working the wrap, while I was balancing the blow dryer in my armpit.
This is the frame I'm using. Some of you may remember this frame from a build I did in 2012 called "The Bishop". It was a cool bike, but the aluminum tank was a pain. I simply got tired of polishing "The Bishop" before every ride. I'll be stripping, priming, and painting this one over the weekend.
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Thanks, Luke. Hoping to finish this one off before I head off to Australia in early Feb. Will be in Sydney and Melbourne.
Busy day today - worked on Bones Bomber and Jayne. I think I was in the garage for about 10 hours!
The Airplane Stripper is awesome. It took maybe a week to polish the tank originally, and maybe 10 minutes to scuff the whole frame up so it would hold paint. I shot it with etching primer first. I usually use a two part epoxy primer - and I used it on other parts - but I had a can of etching primer handy, and decided to just go for it.
I learned this trick from someone on the forum - can't remember who... This old stem fits perfectly in the seat tube.
I like the idea of powder coating, but I like to have my mits all over these builds, so I painted it with an automotive-quality two part paint. This is really good stuff - it has hardener built in, so there is no need to clear coat - and as you can see from the label, it's a satin black - not the trendy matte finish, but low glare, which is what I'm going for.
The hardener in the paint is nasty stuff, so you need to wear a respirator when spraying it, but it goes on smooth - far better than a Rustoleum rattle can, and it's going to last a long time.
Really happy with how the paint turned out.
The fork started off as a heavy duty version of a Monark springer fork, but it was powder coated gloss black. I sanded it to scuff it a but, and then used the epoxy primer on it. I was painting parts of Jayne (my Schwinn build), so I figured I would bust out the good stuff.
These are the bolts from the stem I'm using. They were chrome, but I really wanted them black. Gotta prime them first, so I used the epoxy.
I got the forks painted - again, the good paint really makes a difference
Got the bolts painted black.
The very first picture I took for this build was of a red skull stem, but as the build started to come together in my mind, it became clear that the red was going to have to go. It was a matte finish, so I'm hoping that was enough for the epoxy primer to hold. This will eventually be white. There is a little overspray on it (I feel like a rookie), forgot that I had it hanging down wind of my painting area... Duh...
Did a lot of work on Jayne today, too. Will post pics of that build when I get a chance.
The Airplane Stripper is awesome. It took maybe a week to polish the tank originally, and maybe 10 minutes to scuff the whole frame up so it would hold paint. I shot it with etching primer first. I usually use a two part epoxy primer - and I used it on other parts - but I had a can of etching primer handy, and decided to just go for it.
I learned this trick from someone on the forum - can't remember who... This old stem fits perfectly in the seat tube.
I like the idea of powder coating, but I like to have my mits all over these builds, so I painted it with an automotive-quality two part paint. This is really good stuff - it has hardener built in, so there is no need to clear coat - and as you can see from the label, it's a satin black - not the trendy matte finish, but low glare, which is what I'm going for.
The hardener in the paint is nasty stuff, so you need to wear a respirator when spraying it, but it goes on smooth - far better than a Rustoleum rattle can, and it's going to last a long time.
Really happy with how the paint turned out.
The fork started off as a heavy duty version of a Monark springer fork, but it was powder coated gloss black. I sanded it to scuff it a but, and then used the epoxy primer on it. I was painting parts of Jayne (my Schwinn build), so I figured I would bust out the good stuff.
These are the bolts from the stem I'm using. They were chrome, but I really wanted them black. Gotta prime them first, so I used the epoxy.
I got the forks painted - again, the good paint really makes a difference
Got the bolts painted black.
The very first picture I took for this build was of a red skull stem, but as the build started to come together in my mind, it became clear that the red was going to have to go. It was a matte finish, so I'm hoping that was enough for the epoxy primer to hold. This will eventually be white. There is a little overspray on it (I feel like a rookie), forgot that I had it hanging down wind of my painting area... Duh...
Did a lot of work on Jayne today, too. Will post pics of that build when I get a chance.
Looking good, love that paint!
Luke.
Luke.
Liking it so far brother, I'll be painting some hubs soon, may I ask where you picked up that black paint?
Cheers,
Dr. T
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Cheers,
Dr. T
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Thanks, Doc. I got the paint at my local Finish Master, but my go-to Internet shop is 66 Auto Color - http://www.66autocolor.com. They carry a wide range of the Spray Max paint, and will custom mix. I love these guys.
Thanks dude! I'll check for a local source or hit the interwebs.
Much appreciated.
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Great question! I've LOVE to have one for a front drum hub I have!
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The rims came from a wheelset that I bought a year or so ago - I wish I could have just bought the rims - I have a stockpile of front and rear hubs from those wheels lying around. I replaced the stock rear hub with the Sturmey kick back, and I'm still wondering what to do with the front hub. I have a Felt that would work, but I'm kind of leaning toward a Sturmey drum or maybe a dynamo.
