Faux Bamboo Tiki Bike
- Thread starter Kevin B
- Start date
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Track #3 "Baba Ka Rin" on Lyman's Taboo 2 is my favorite cut of his.
I ran across this one or one like it when I was researching this build.
I thought the wicker or rattan seat looks pretty cool
Yeah, that rattan work to make that seat is amazing craftsmanship. That's a lot of tight bends
and shaping to pull that off. That's like 400 college level basket weaving with a 4.0 GPA.
Finally finished the rear reflector cover. For some reason this was more difficult than the mirror or the headlight. I think it was because I had to remove more of the coconut shell.
This isn't my first tiki themed build. My first build on here was the Swamp Tiki Cruiser https://ratrodbikes.com/threads/the-swamp-tiki-cruiser.110695/
My grandson commandeered that one.
I always liked how the cup holder came out so I made another one. They are wood tiki mugs with the handles removed and an aluminum 7/8" mount added.
All accessories are mounted now. Have tested it and am waiting on some custom vinyl graphics.
My grandson commandeered that one.
I always liked how the cup holder came out so I made another one. They are wood tiki mugs with the handles removed and an aluminum 7/8" mount added.
All accessories are mounted now. Have tested it and am waiting on some custom vinyl graphics.
Having worked as a theatrical propsmaster for several years, I really admire the effort and attention to detail you put into this faux Bamboo and Tiki build!
This will turn out great! Can't wait to see the final product!
I remembered that I was going to make a headbadge.
Removed the eyelet and concaved the back of a bronze diecast tiki.
Filled the back with JB Weld Epoxy putty.
The filled and radiused area gives me a surface for 3M auto emblem tape.
The installed tiki headbadge.
Removed the eyelet and concaved the back of a bronze diecast tiki.
Filled the back with JB Weld Epoxy putty.
The filled and radiused area gives me a surface for 3M auto emblem tape.
The installed tiki headbadge.
The last component is the chain guard. I chose a Huffy guard over the slim Romet unit. The Huffy has billboard properties!
My go to source for vinyl has always been JBY graphics on Amazon. Always crisp and clean.
After thinking about a name for many days I settled on James Michener's mythical island, Bali Hai from his Tales of the South Pacific. A mythical place seems to suit imaginary bamboo.
To adapt the Huffy Guard to the romet I had to remove the front bracket. The three original holes had to be filled and new holes Drilled. As mentioned earlier, the stamped Huffy was beat out on an anvil and smoothed for a big flat surface.
I still may start on the other guard and in time make a more organic look. The orange on the tin work is to go with the orange wheelset that I already had on hand.
A couple more ideas to go.
My go to source for vinyl has always been JBY graphics on Amazon. Always crisp and clean.
After thinking about a name for many days I settled on James Michener's mythical island, Bali Hai from his Tales of the South Pacific. A mythical place seems to suit imaginary bamboo.
To adapt the Huffy Guard to the romet I had to remove the front bracket. The three original holes had to be filled and new holes Drilled. As mentioned earlier, the stamped Huffy was beat out on an anvil and smoothed for a big flat surface.
I still may start on the other guard and in time make a more organic look. The orange on the tin work is to go with the orange wheelset that I already had on hand.
A couple more ideas to go.
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If I ever find a rattan, leopard or reptile saddle I'll change. For now this orange stiching matches my orange tin features.
This is the final (for now) accessory. A genuine, fake shrunken head. These were a requisite feature to hang in fifties and sixties hot rods. Well, unless like Falfa you had a genuine fake skull. 
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Finished and in it's natural habitat.
Too cool. I love this bike.
Thanks.
Had some left over parts so I made a shifter handle out of a 3/8" stainless steel tube. The knob is a resin topped ornamental garden pick. I removed the pick and drilled it out for a 1/4-20 threaded insert. I have a 3 speed coaster hub and may lace up a rim for this in the future.
