Caps!ze (MBBO)

[GTHOtrod]

I really like the look of an upside-down ladies frame. So that is the inspiration here. Hence the name. Plan is to use the styling of the upside-down frame look, but to look like a factory build. So no BB up top etc.
Another thing is, I've never laced or trued a wheel. So I was keen to give that a go.
Now it would have been a bike store job before I joined this forum. But there is so much great info, and inspiration here, that I just had to give it a go myself.
Tonight I got some time to sort through the parts pile, and pick out a set of rims and tyres.

So i have;
An alloy 26x1 3/8 with Sturmy Archer 3 speed, and an all but new tyre.
A spare front hub
An old mtb 26x1.5" wheel with a similar look to the 26x1 3/8.
And a nice fat 26x2.4 tyre.

Planning a 26x1 3/8 up front, with a 3 speed 26x2.4 out the back.

I set up an old fork as a truing stand

I stripped the skinny down, and put the 3 speed aside, ready for the rear wheel build.

My first try at lacing here. Copying another wheel with a 3 cross pattern.

So far, so good. Couple of cable ties added. Ready to tru it up.

Spent a little time getting it running pretty nice with just a screw driver in the back side. I'm waiting on my spoke tool in the post, then I'll finish it off.
appears my first wheel build is a success, so I might have a go at the rear tomorrow?

 

[ifitsfreeitsforme]

nice work already. I like the cable ties idea. Looking forward to rest of the build.

 

[GTHOtrod]

Did a very quick mock up with a couple frames today, For a visual check I'm on the right path.

The purple frame is the kind of look I want to achieve.
But the red frame is more period correct in its materials, So the red frame has the nod.
Over the next week I'll cut and chop it into the shape I want. Plus, I like the idea of a curved down tube. So we'll see where that takes us

 

[Indyjps]

Good job on wheel build.

Like where this is going, great stance. Is the seat tube and bottom bracket a weld on ?

 

[GTHOtrod]

Good job on wheel build.

Like where this is going, great stance. Is the seat tube and bottom bracket a weld on ?

Yes, will be cutting and welding to get the proportions right. The rear triangle will go back to right way up during the process

 

[Bike from the Dead]

There needs to be more upside-down girls' bikes in the world. It's such a cool style. Looking forward to seeing your build progress! Looks like you're doing great so far! I need to try my hand at lacing and trying my own wheels sometime! I like your technique. Keep it up!

 

[GTHOtrod]

There needs to be more upside-down girls' bikes in the world. It's such a cool style. Looking forward to seeing your build progress! Looks like you're doing great so far! I need to try my hand at lacing and trying my own wheels sometime! I like your technique. Keep it up!

Thanks for the kind words. I was feeling intimidated about the wheel lacing, but these build off's are a push, to jump in and try new things. Glad I gave it a go, very rewarding.

 

[MattiThundrrr]

I'm fully in to this, love flipped builds!

 

[GTHOtrod]

Got excited, and got the rear wheel built up with the SA 3 speed hub.

Then chopped up the red frame for a look see. The proportions are just all wrong, and the tube sizes just too small to look 'muscle'. So the red frame will become the donor for the purple frame. Purple frame has the proportions I want. Nice chunky tubes etc. Going to work much better.

 

[MattiThundrrr]

To be honest, I prefer the hard lines of the Malvern for a flipped bike. Seems edgier. I wasn't fond of how the gap between the tubes narrowed before the curve on the red bike.

 

[GTHOtrod]

To be honest, I prefer the hard lines of the Malvern for a flipped bike. Seems edgier. I wasn't fond of how the gap between the tubes narrowed before the curve on the red bike.

I totally agree, I was thinking I could change the lines of the red frame to look similar. But it just wasn't working for me. The Malvern has more muscle

 

[GTHOtrod]

Just to clarify. This is the kind of look I had in my mind for the red frame. Sounded good in theory, but in reality it hasn't got the muscle I'm looking for.

 

[Bike from the Dead]

Thanks for the kind words. I was feeling intimidated about the wheel lacing, but these build off's are a push, to jump in and try new things. Glad I gave it a go, very rewarding.

You're welcome! Glad you decided to join this year's MBBO, and that you're pushing yourself to learn new tricks too! That purple frame definitely has the makings of a cool muscle bike. Maybe after I finish my Murray Eliminator, I might try taking one of the girls' frames I have laying around and modify one of those into an upside-down bike of some sort.

 

[GTHOtrod]

Donor parts from the red frame.

Fork looks to be able to be raked out, which will drop the front end lower.

Trimmed off the rear drop-outs and tacked on the donor's drop-outs up a bit higher, To lower the rear a touch. Planning to have the top tube level to the ground.
Will make it look pretty later on. Test fitting at this stage

Tacked on the BB, and Hose clamped on a seat, in a banana ish position for a test sit.

Fits nicely. I wanted the BB hanging a touch lower than normal. I will add bracing with a second set of chain stays back to the drop outs.

Haven't found anything in the shed yet to build a Nana seat from yet LOL. I'll keep looking.

 

[GuitarlCarl]

You might check out ALiEN FiRE from past build offs. It's a flipped bike I built. Very much like your Malvern. I've found that some seat post tubes from "ten speeds" fit inside the seat post tubes from some MTB bikes. I also found a way around the flipped dropouts with out cutting them up. Note to all, our archives have a wealth of information available.

GC.

 

[MattiThundrrr]

Here's a pic of Alien Fire in it's original configuration. One of my favorites in the whole rat game

This one lives on my phone

 

[GTHOtrod]

Thanks for the heads up @GuitarlCarl. I'm a fan of Alien Fire, Has a great look too it. Makes for a really good looking Gender Bender.

 

[GTHOtrod]

You might check out ALiEN FiRE from past build offs. It's a flipped bike I built. Very much like your Malvern. I've found that some seat post tubes from "ten speeds" fit inside the seat post tubes from some MTB bikes. I also found a way around the flipped dropouts with out cutting them up. Note to all, our archives have a wealth of information available.

GC.

I went looking and read through the original build of Alien fire. Lots of great ideas put to use on your build, Awesome job.
I decided to mod the drop-outs as I'm going to single speed style drive train with the 3 speed hub, So I need some chain adjustment there. But your solution is such a good solution with a derailer set up.

 

[GTHOtrod]

Seat ordered and on its way

 

[hamqqea]

^unexpected. Interested to see what you have planned.
May need these with...

Love that 76'' 3-speed pre no in-between gear, what I refer to as the daaanger hub. I feel privileged anytime I work on an old IGH. The machining is so beautiful. The shell looks great too.