Faux Bamboo Tiki Bike

[Kevin B]

For awhile I've looked for a diamond frame to build a faux bamboo bike. Then someone threw this Romet out.

To have less clutter and a simple drive train. I eliminated the hand brakes, three speed and put a 26" cruiser coaster brake wheel set on the bike.

Next I installed a 22T cog to help it pull.

 

[Kevin B]

I sanded the frame to ready it for bamboo treatment.

 

[Kevin B]

To achieve the bamboo look I made nodule rings by rolling up JBWeld 2 part epoxy putty.

Bondo was used to feather out the nodules.

 

[Kevin B]

I filed, sanded, grooved and worked the nodules to make them realistic.

 

[Kevin B]

Next week I'm picking up the bamboo paint and some brass or copper paint for the frame lugs and dropouts.

Also plan to includes coconuts, tiki figures, a torch and possibly rattan, animal print fabric and a surf board!

 

[Kevin B]

Bobbed some fenders, so no bracing to take away from the bamboo. Also, checked the fit on a fatty fork and started building up nodules using the same process to simulate bamboo. The flat road fork wouldn't have looked right.

 

[BartRidesEternal]

Next week I'm picking up the bamboo paint and some brass or copper paint for the frame lugs and dropouts.

Also plan to includes coconuts, tiki figures, a torch and possibly rattan, animal print fabric and a surf board!

Looking forward to that!

 

[Kevin B]

Today I put this chain guard on my outdoor anvil and beat the Huffy out of it. Then I ground it smooth and filled the low places. I'm using this guard because it gives me a bigger canvas for tiki stuff. I'm planning to cover it in rattan or maybe a bamboo placemat.

This self adhesive sheet is what I'm leaning toward for the face of the guard.

 

[Kevin B]

I'm thinking this pale yellow will work for a color base coat. Then I'm going to try a thin brown wash over it. Not sure how to go about it, yet.

 

[Kevin B]

My base coat choice had me a little concerned. It turns out I'm glad I went with yellow. A dry brushed, thinned coat of chocolate brown is achieving the golden hue I had hoped for.

 

[Kevin B]

Experimenting with orange accents. Modern tiki "lowbrow" art is usually an exaggerated caricature I think it's getting there.

 

[Kevin B]

Painted the lugs copper today. Added painted lugs where none existed like fork dropouts and the frame stays. All paint is lighter than it appears here. I'm going to need a brighter day when a hurricane is not offshore to get better pictures.

 

[KJV]

Big Haole Kahuna.. Say,,
Dig it Bro.

 

[68z27]

The bamboo/copper attire is looking real good! BTW, good luck with the storm............

 

[Kevin B]

The bamboo/copper attire is looking real good! BTW, good luck with the storm............

Thanks. Had 60+ mph gusts and lost power for about an hour. Really feel bad for the Big Bend/Pan Handle Floridians. With Ian's 15'+ surge this county had 70 deaths. Mostly drownings. Prediction for the landfall surge of Helene are 15 to 20'.

 

[Da Gas Man]

Crazy thought. Are you going to do every spoke in this bamboo style?
Which is amazing BTW. Please say yes! Please say yes! Please say yes!
OH!! With copper nipples! Which suddenly reminds me of a dancer that
I once knew out in Arizona for some reason. Focus! Bamboo spokes!

 

[Kevin B]

I think the only thing tiki about the wheels will be the valve caps. I've ordered two Moai brass beads. I'm going to drill out one end and put a valve cap in them. I guess I'll be using the orange wheel set as it.

 

[Kevin B]

Got two coats of clear over the frame. Installed the headset and bottom bracket.

 

[Kevin B]

These cut off seat stays will be trimmed and painted. They will be removable solar tiki torch fixtures, ala' VW Beetle bud vases. They will bolt on the rear fender mount bosses (I think )

 

[Linedog]

Absolutely stunning!!!