Awesome story. Love the throwback pic
BO15 Camelback: 26" BMX (Scrambler XL)
- Thread starter ParkRNDL
- Start date
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Toying with the name of this build. I've done this with model names and graphics before:
Manta-Ray II
Tornado BX
Predator
Scrambler
"Speedster" has the same number of letters as "Scrambler," so it'd be easy to do the Speedster script in the Scrambler style. And the 1978 Sting-Ray BX was a one-year-only Sting-Ray with a BMX seat and bars, separate from the Scrambler which tried a little harder to be a BMX bike. Since this is a Speedster trying to be a BMX bike, I want to borrow the BX idea and combine the two so this would be a Speedster BX.
I could put the graphic on the top tube like the Scrambler or on the front forks...
Manta-Ray II
Tornado BX
Predator
Scrambler
"Speedster" has the same number of letters as "Scrambler," so it'd be easy to do the Speedster script in the Scrambler style. And the 1978 Sting-Ray BX was a one-year-only Sting-Ray with a BMX seat and bars, separate from the Scrambler which tried a little harder to be a BMX bike. Since this is a Speedster trying to be a BMX bike, I want to borrow the BX idea and combine the two so this would be a Speedster BX.
I could put the graphic on the top tube like the Scrambler or on the front forks...
That's cool
Your graphics always look good, go for it!
The build off is only as long as you make it. If it takes you 3 days, 13 days, 30 days, or 3 months; that's as long as it needs to be for you and your build.
I've learned that the key is to stop before you think you are done. Sort of a modified "less is more" philosophy.
All that said, any thought to a big kid's 'nad pad' for the top tube? Those foam pipe insulation pieces covered with a cool fabric / vinyl might be a fun doo dad.
Looking good!
The build off is only as long as you make it. If it takes you 3 days, 13 days, 30 days, or 3 months; that's as long as it needs to be for you and your build.
I've learned that the key is to stop before you think you are done. Sort of a modified "less is more" philosophy.
All that said, any thought to a big kid's 'nad pad' for the top tube? Those foam pipe insulation pieces covered with a cool fabric / vinyl might be a fun doo dad.
Looking good!
little changes...
evolving ideas...
evolving ideas...
MattiThundrrr
Rattus All Terrainus
Like that stem, the top nut is burly! Where'd that come from?
I got it for a few bucks at a swap. I'm pretty sure it's just a generic copy of old-school good stuff.
Looks like something Alta or Fenix have
The Renaissance Man
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Looks great! Those camelback frames are cool.
The Speedster BX was pretty cool. but I think the ScramblerXL looks better
not much to show except that this came in the mail (thanks @Karate Chicken Industries !) .
Will be blowing the bottom bracket apart soon to install it and decide if I have a better set of cranks to use...
Will be blowing the bottom bracket apart soon to install it and decide if I have a better set of cranks to use...
DANG. I was all the way back to page THREE. And this isn't even an update on my build-off bike, but rather a little side excursion.
This project was one I was considering for the build-off, but it wasn't much of a project... really just a frame swap. Had to find some new BB bearings, as the ones I put in there last year weren't staying in their cages, and went with a different seat because Schwinn 13/16 seatpost. Also Dremeled some flats on the front axle to fit the Schwinn fork. Other than that, straight unbolting and reinstalling. Spent the morning on it and I like the way it ended up.
Last year's build-off bike:
Frame (thinking 1975 Typhoon) acquired from Bicycle Heaven in Pittsburgh this past February:
Finished product:
I am wondering about the truss rods. The Murray had a taller head tube, and probably a somewhat longer fork, so I had to change the bend to get them to fit. (They're made of automotive fuel/brake line.) I can't decide if I like them as is, or if I should shorten them at the axle to go back to the angle they had on the Murray, or maybe if I should just lose them altogether.
I'm also at a loss as to what to do with the Murray frame. l LOVE the color; it's like this deep black cherry. It just didn't look right as a strandie build. I am thinking springer fork for starters...fattie on the back with a 26 x 1 3/8 on the front...
(meanwhile, while I have the momentum, maybe I ought to use it to get into the BB/sprocket of my build-off bike...)
This project was one I was considering for the build-off, but it wasn't much of a project... really just a frame swap. Had to find some new BB bearings, as the ones I put in there last year weren't staying in their cages, and went with a different seat because Schwinn 13/16 seatpost. Also Dremeled some flats on the front axle to fit the Schwinn fork. Other than that, straight unbolting and reinstalling. Spent the morning on it and I like the way it ended up.
Last year's build-off bike:
Frame (thinking 1975 Typhoon) acquired from Bicycle Heaven in Pittsburgh this past February:
Finished product:
I am wondering about the truss rods. The Murray had a taller head tube, and probably a somewhat longer fork, so I had to change the bend to get them to fit. (They're made of automotive fuel/brake line.) I can't decide if I like them as is, or if I should shorten them at the axle to go back to the angle they had on the Murray, or maybe if I should just lose them altogether.
I'm also at a loss as to what to do with the Murray frame. l LOVE the color; it's like this deep black cherry. It just didn't look right as a strandie build. I am thinking springer fork for starters...fattie on the back with a 26 x 1 3/8 on the front...
(meanwhile, while I have the momentum, maybe I ought to use it to get into the BB/sprocket of my build-off bike...)
Back to the build at hand. To complement the early-days-of-BMX vibe I am shooting for (and because it's cheaper than a Sugino spider and chainring), I decided to go with a Varisty inner sprocket like some of the early Scramblers used. @Karate Chicken Industries was kind enough to part with one he had around, and I think it looks right on this bike.
Love the little Schwinn script.
Moment of silence for my old tub of Kendall Super Blu grease. I have no recollection of when or where I got it, but it's been with me for a looooong time. Pretty sure this is what I used to pack the new front wheel bearings of my '70 Monte Carlo in the college dorm parking lot when the old ones suffered a catastrophic Chernobyl-grade meltdown somewhere around 1990.
It's been getting close to empty for a while now; so I picked up the new stuff today along with a spray can of brake cleaner.
Couple group shots of the bikes that I wrenched on today...
Love the little Schwinn script.
Moment of silence for my old tub of Kendall Super Blu grease. I have no recollection of when or where I got it, but it's been with me for a looooong time. Pretty sure this is what I used to pack the new front wheel bearings of my '70 Monte Carlo in the college dorm parking lot when the old ones suffered a catastrophic Chernobyl-grade meltdown somewhere around 1990.
It's been getting close to empty for a while now; so I picked up the new stuff today along with a spray can of brake cleaner.
Couple group shots of the bikes that I wrenched on today...
Oh, there's at least 4-5 more hub bearing jobs left in Ol' Blue! 
I just replaced my tube of Phil Wood grease from prob 20 years ago. It was my second one only since 1987. I bought a tub of Red just like yours. My kids will be selling it at a garage sale when I'm gone.
I just replaced my tube of Phil Wood grease from prob 20 years ago. It was my second one only since 1987. I bought a tub of Red just like yours. My kids will be selling it at a garage sale when I'm gone.
Oh, I'm not pitching it just yet, but I knew if I didn't go get some soon, I would end up running out in the middle of a project somewhere down the road...Oh, there's at least 4-5 more hub bearing jobs left in Ol' Blue!
man i kill a tub of grease like that about every 2 years, but i also repack the wheel bearings on my car every spring. i love anything strandie/klunker style. ive always been partial to cantilever frames but this looks really clean. should be pretty light too!
It's a great rider.
I need to file the brake pads or something... right now only the bottom edges of the pads are hitting the rims and braking is pretty weak.
It feels much lighter than the red Typhoon in the pics above... lighter to pick it up and carry it, and lighter on its feet (wheels?) when you ride it. It's much more nimble than any of my other cruisers. I'm sure the aluminum wheels and the 1.75 tires play a part in that along with the frame being lighter.
I need to file the brake pads or something... right now only the bottom edges of the pads are hitting the rims and braking is pretty weak.
It feels much lighter than the red Typhoon in the pics above... lighter to pick it up and carry it, and lighter on its feet (wheels?) when you ride it. It's much more nimble than any of my other cruisers. I'm sure the aluminum wheels and the 1.75 tires play a part in that along with the frame being lighter.
The rotating mass reduction of those alloy wheels and the lighter tire tread is a huge factor in acceleration and handling! Since we can only generate 1 hp (for a very short time, on a good day!) reducing the rolling mass of the wheels and tires is the best way to get a quick, responsive ride feel.
Looks like an all-day rider you've got there!
Looks like an all-day rider you've got there!
