Cadillac

[kingfish254]

Looks great! Keep plugging away at it.
If I didn't work on my build on hot and humid days, I would only have about 7 days available to do work during the build off.

 

[ifitsfreeitsforme]

oof, that looks great so far. Nice combo of parts.

 

[idiotboy]

Stopped at the hardware store Friday after work, got these button head Allen bolts that mostly disappear

I had soaked the rusty reflector in wood bleach and was gonna replace the broken lens with part of this bigger one when I found a much cleaner one in a pile

so I used that one instead

had to assemble with the wheels to make sure nothing rubbed, I need to notch the rear fender for chain clearance but everything else fits!

 

[OddJob]

Reflector fits like butter. Keep churnin' !

 

[idiotboy]

Started with a hole to have a smooth corner, then chopped and sanded with the dremel

since I procrastinated my way through July and most of August I didn’t get this light to work but I stuck it on here anyway cuz it looks cool

the guy I bought the frame from said the rack was original to the bike, and the swap meet chain guard is from a Shelby so they both fit wit no issues

and I’m really happy with the way the curve of the fenders follows the curve of the whitewalls. I don’t use whitewalls a lot but I figured they were appropriate for an old Cadillac the wheels are from felt back when you could still buy them, with a skip tooth cog from memory lane. The tires are duro that didn’t fit good under the fenders of my flightliner. I might actually have enough time left to finish this thing….

it will be a bit simpler than I intended but should still be a cool bike

 

[OddJob]

Some people have a knack for putting a bike together so everything 'fits'. You are definitely one of those!

Diggin' it Schultzie!

 

[kingfish254]

Everything is flowing so well with this build!

 

[idiotboy]

The only time consuming thing I have left to do is the pedals, these are the only “old” ones I have and they’re really rusty and crunchy

they did come apart with only a little bit of resistance so into the wood bleach they go, I will need to replace the bearings

while they soak I’ll take care of a couple easy things, this cool kickstand came off a bike I bought for parts a few years ago, looks like it belongs here

a nutcracker stem, some not too shiny cruiser bars and what I believe are era-correct grips

and here’s what I’ve got now

 

[OddJob]

This cake you are baking is turning out well.

Can't wait for the 'cherry on top' to quote @Jude Ephesus ....the saddle.

I don't remember if we got a preview of it before?

 

[idiotboy]

This cake you are baking is turning out well.

Can't wait for the 'cherry on top' to quote @Jude Ephesus ....the saddle.

I don't remember if we got a preview of it before?

I really don't have a great choice for that, all the seats in my parts pile are from newer bikes. I'm either gonna swipe the seat off my old Elgin mutt build off bike from a few years ago or more likely just use a swap meet brooks off a british bike just cuz i got a good one cheap.

 

[idiotboy]

This is the seat I’ll probably use, got a seat post for either choice

i took the pedals out of the wood bleach bucket started the process of wire brushing, straightening and spraying parts with rust preventer

next I need to search the bearing bag or go back to the hardware store to get 3/16” bearings, stay tuned…

 

[OddJob]

Can't go wrong with the Brooksie! Pedal guts are looking good.

 

[idiotboy]

Well I need 28 bearings for these pedals and my hardware store had 16, so I dug through the bearing bag and found some more.

The rest of the pedal parts got cleaned and sprayed. I was going to use these new pedal blocks but decided to scrub the original ones with some dish soap and a toothbrush and I’ll use those instead, goes better with the other old parts

while the rust preventer is drying, I tried the seat off the Elgin on this bike, and I like it way better, it’s gonna stay. I’ll probably put the Brooks on the Elgin when I bring it back in the shop to mount the drop stand I never put on when I built it

today’s progress

 

[RIGS]

Out of the bucket, light scrub with some steel wool then a good rinse and they look like this View attachment 198319colors and pinstripes look good but they’re still scruffy enough for my bike just gotta hammer out a crease and a few dents, rivet them to the braces and make the whole contraption fit the bike ….

I learn more tricks on this site. Someone should put together a DIY manual on how to use chemicals on bike parts for which they were never intended. Gonna try this on fender set I just received. Great info Thx

 

[idiotboy]

finished pedal with new grease and bearings

and,as mandated by New England Rat Rod Bikes regulations, a beverage opening device from one of our local breweries

so pending a test ride and final adjustments, I’m calling this one done! Not exactly what I had planned, but I only actually worked on it for a couple weeks so I’m happy with it. Been a pleasure building bikes with you guys again

 

[kingfish254]

Sweet fat ride man! It all came together great!!

 

[OddJob]

As I said befiore in this thread, you have an 'eye' for what 'looks good' with rat rod bikes. Another nice build for your stable!