Above: The tool kit for a flat tire underneath the leather saddle. FN10-22 holster for tools around the top tube. I did not cut and/or alter the holster, just used some militairy straps to hold it in place. The leather smells absolutely sexy.
Above: EMPO carbide lamp. Will make it light up someday!
Above: Front brought down, the tire very close to the fork crown.
I really love the pattern on the sidewall of the rims. The little cracks of drought in the tire fit the ratty looks.
Self cut wooden pedals.
Leather lepper saddle
Above: Half link chain, 48 teeth at the front, 18 at the rear.
The 1913-ish EmPo Pathracer is done, my first buildoff on ratrodbikes after enjoying many buildoffs without participation.
I did cycle it from my hometown to where the original factory was and further. I cycled 141,5km (90 miles) in one day!
Ride video!!
I will type a little more information below, but if you would like to read the whole build story:
The build thread right here
The start:
I started with a frame I had laying around on my attic for many years. Some parts and:
- A 1950 - 1970 EmPo frame.
- Parts at the start:
Inspiration:
Huge fan of the early 1900's Pathracers and old posters:
Path racers generally are very clean and thus, can be a bit boring... thats why I needed to work on a lot of details.
The build:
After finding the old "EMPO" carbide lamp I decided to search the internet for "old Dutch parts" and if I could not find any, try and fabricate it by hacking and filing.
I did not use any modern fasteners, all wing nuts/butterfly nuts/flat head screws or hexagon bolts. No allen and/or torx.
I filed my own coasterbrake arm, so that the rear hub would have this "vintage" feel whilst being modern. And spare parts are easy to find (Shimano CB-E110) so I can cycle for many miles.
A holster from the early 1900's. Has seen Dutch service. It is for a FN 10-22 pistol. Now I can use it for tools:
Wooden pedals and grips, which hold up very nicely!
Build specifications:
- 1950 - 1979 (have not checked the frame number and date yet) Emsbroek & Poesse frame. Indestructable and large frame.
- 28 x 1 1/2 "van Schothorst" Dutch stainless steel rims. Old and yet very common here.
- Shimano CB-E110 rear hub. With self made coasterbrake arm, inner tube seals (they hold up very nicely!) and a militairy strap for the vintage looks. 18 teeth cog.
- Union steel front hub, very thin and clean looking.
- 1909 crankset with 48 teeth at the front.
- Halflink black chain 1/2" x 1/8" size.
- Early 1900's leather holster with enough tools to take the bicycle apart. And it smells great (wish that was taken into consideration with the build ). The holster is held in place with old Dutch militairy straps. The straps are shortened and re-riveted with copper rivets.
- New setback seatpost, aged and a bit rusty.
- Early 1900's "Gazelle" front fork.
- Self filed front fork arms. The front wheel is much closer to the fork crown. This gives it a more aggressive look whilst steering very stable.
- John Deere M8 aluminum cast selflocking butterfly nuts. Now fitted with M10x1 thread for the rear hub and aged with black paint and a cloth.
- Duro creme tires 28 x 1 1/2" without reflection.
- Handlebars of an old 1930's lawnmower. With very nice patina!
- BMX stem, made it look patina and used M8 flat head steel screws instead of allen key screws.
- Wooden mahogany grips from classic cycle in Germany.
Thank you ratrodbikes community for the help, tips, inspiration and kind words!
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