build or buy?......build!

Rat Rod Bikes Bicycle Forum

Help Support Rat Rod Bikes Bicycle Forum:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.
Joined
May 20, 2009
Messages
7,026
Reaction score
7,188
Location
Isle of Hope, GA
Rating - 100%
26   0   0
OK, so I said in my intro that I was undecided on whether to build a bike or just buy one off the web. Well, I decided to go 'old school' and build it!
I picked this up from C/L for $40. The ad said it was a Schwinn, well, the repop seat was! :roll: Turns out it's a Huffy that used to run a rear derailer. I wish the 3-speed had a coaster brake, but maybe I'll keep the freewheel. anyone ever run the cables through the canti bars? I'm thinking a simple black or primer green frame, cream Fat Franks and some sort of springer fork, any ideas??? Here's a few pics, BTW I just LOVE the paint scheme.....NOT
DrTankenstein

DrTankenstein

DrTankenstein
 
Yeah, maybe I should name the bike 'King Snake'! :lol:
Gonna start the tear down tonight, what's the best thing for paint removal, acetone or that aircraft stripper?? I plan to take it down the bare metal.
 
fatbelly bobber - name change

While stripping the brush-on paint job, I couldn't help but notice how fat the downtube is on this frame. It's as big as the tubes on my old mountain bike. That 'trait' coupled with inspiration from old 'bobber' style motorcycles and the 30 lbs I'd like to use, led me to the name of this bike. The Fatbelly Bobber
So here's the new plan (so far):
I'm going for that "it's headed to paint any day now" look.
red oxide primer final coat (inspired by the Electra Rockabilly)
Elgin (1937?) chainguard (it reminds me of the primary cover on a motorcycle)
a genuine(1950's?) Monark springer fork (keeping with the bobber look) Question, can the straight main fork be replaced with a curved 'blade-type' fork for some additional rake?
BMX 'double' stem with some type of low rise handlebars
bobbed rear fender, hopefully something deep like an old Monark ballon tire bike
for running gear, black rims, spokes and hubs, 24 x 3 tires front and back (Kenda Kraze or Felt Thick Bricks) this also helps with the 'fatbelly' look
6 speed rear cassette (needed when you mix hills with 40+ years of bad habits)
dual rear caliper brakes (unless I can run a front one on the Monark)
Gripshifter mated to a short cage rear derailluer (may have to 'tweak' the chainguard)

Maybe a Schwinn Phantom inspired tank made from wood or fiberglass....

Gathering parts now, pics coming soon.

Thanks for humoring my late night ramblings...... :roll:

Cheers!
Dr. T
 
Looks like my dropouts are a little different, and probably a little newer (serial # K00H072606). So it's probably a 1990 or 2000. I went to Old Roads and still can't figure it out :roll: Anybody out there know what year it is??

I don't have any plans for the 3-speed right now, it's freewheel Shimano I think.
 

Latest posts

Back
Top