TRADITIONAL Doom Slug
- Thread starter Pondo
- Start date
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This bike was my first klunker and has been a fun ride for the last few years.
I wanted to give it a new style and decided to go with a late '50s early '60s kustom boulevard cruiser theme. But I wanted it to look like it was built in the late '50s and has been sitting in the garage for the last few decades.
I decided to do white accents with the white glitter grab rail seat, pedals, grips, Shelby chain guard and new 2.4" whitewall tires. Here's an early mock-up.
I decided to use some crusty old white S2 rims and wanted some extra gears to help out with the hills in my neighborhood so I undertook my first real wheel build to add a cool Sturmey Archer drum brake hub. I've never gone through the whole process of measuring, ordering spokes, lacing and truing before so this was pretty fun.
To shift the gears I added a derailleur and stem shifter from an old 10 speed. I mounted the shifter to the seat stay under the saddle for a jockey shift arrangement that worked out great.
I bobbed a rear fender from a Huffy for the back. Stripped that and parts of the chain guard to bare metal to accent the chrome on the tank.
And added a cool chopper headlight
Polished up the head badge a bit and rubbed the old paint and primer down with WD40.
The chain ring looked too new to me so I gave it a skip tooth conversion by grinding off every other tooth. Then I gave it some RaT-ina for an aged aesthetic.
The whitewalls were new and looked it so I toned them down with some paint and wood stain. It's a great bike, looks great rides great and I'm pretty happy with it!
I wanted to give it a new style and decided to go with a late '50s early '60s kustom boulevard cruiser theme. But I wanted it to look like it was built in the late '50s and has been sitting in the garage for the last few decades.
I decided to do white accents with the white glitter grab rail seat, pedals, grips, Shelby chain guard and new 2.4" whitewall tires. Here's an early mock-up.
I decided to use some crusty old white S2 rims and wanted some extra gears to help out with the hills in my neighborhood so I undertook my first real wheel build to add a cool Sturmey Archer drum brake hub. I've never gone through the whole process of measuring, ordering spokes, lacing and truing before so this was pretty fun.
To shift the gears I added a derailleur and stem shifter from an old 10 speed. I mounted the shifter to the seat stay under the saddle for a jockey shift arrangement that worked out great.
I bobbed a rear fender from a Huffy for the back. Stripped that and parts of the chain guard to bare metal to accent the chrome on the tank.
And added a cool chopper headlight
Polished up the head badge a bit and rubbed the old paint and primer down with WD40.
The chain ring looked too new to me so I gave it a skip tooth conversion by grinding off every other tooth. Then I gave it some RaT-ina for an aged aesthetic.
The whitewalls were new and looked it so I toned them down with some paint and wood stain. It's a great bike, looks great rides great and I'm pretty happy with it!
Great looking bike with lots of cool ideas worked into the bike.. love the gears and shifter.
Thanks man! It's been a really fun build.
So you got a lil hint soul!!! Mhmm I see ya
You guys are too hip for me.
Pondo, you basically achieved everything you envisioned for this ride; which is hard to do! The '50s vibe, the rear hub conversion and wheel lacing, all your touches on the RaT-ina, especially the chain ring and tire aging ... 
!!
Kudos on a great build!
!! Kudos on a great build!
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Great work! I would love to ride this one around!
Haha! Thanks man!!
Thanks OJ. It's been a really satisfying build. Just a week ago I wasn't sure if I would cross the line with this one so I put off the chain ring conversion but it worked out. I've really appreciated all the input and advice from you and everyone. It is a great ride and I love it!Pondo, you basically achieved everything you envisioned for this ride; which is hard to do! The '50s vibe, the rear hub conversion and wheel lacing, all your touches on the RaT-ina, especially the chain ring and tire aging ...
Kudos on a great build!
Thanks! If you're ever visiting Yosemite drop me a note and I'll bring some bikes and cruise the valley paths with you.Great work! I would love to ride this one around!
In the true stylings of a Rat Rod! Bravo ... I've been trying to find a Luxury Liner or Pleasure Liner for the wife.
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Deal!Haha! Thanks man!!
Thanks OJ. It's been a really satisfying build. Just a week ago I wasn't sure if I would cross the line with this one so I put off the chain ring conversion but it worked out. I've really appreciated all the input and advice from you and everyone. It is a great ride and I love it!
Thanks! If you're ever visiting Yosemite drop me a note and I'll bring some bikes and cruise the valley paths with you.
CONGRATS!! Awesome job on a killer rat! Well done brother!
Thanks KF! Really appreciate it!
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You nailed it Pondo. Great work.
Thanks man!! It's been a fun journey!
That Roadmaster is Old. Skool! When I saw the first photo, I was wondering how you linked a skiptooth chainring to a cassette wheel, and now I know! You nailed it! That really does look like a period custom. Great job!
Thanks man! It was a super cool project and it's a really fun ride. I think this one will stay in this configuration for quite some time.
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I have been gone a few years - moved to Florida. Imagine my surprise when the first bike I see is a Springer Roadmaster ! You put a huge smile on my face. Great Job !!!
Road Master
Road Master
Good to see you back here on RRB! Hope you will jump in with a build in the near future.
Welcome back! I'm glad my bike brought you a little joy. It has been doing the same for me. Do you still have your Roadmaster? I'd love to see it.
