Firewing - 1953 Columbia 3 Star DeLuxe - (2nd Place) Mr September 2014

[kingfish254]

Firewing - 1953 Columbia Firewing Three Star DeLuxe

AUG 4 - WALK AROUND VIDEO ADDED BELOW

Here is my entry to Rat Rod Bikes Build Off 8. First off, I would like to toast all of my fellow rat builders for driving me with your amazing creativity and skills!!!! This is an incredible "virtual" community of off the hook talent! CHEERS!!!!

Here is my interpretation of a custom 1953 Columbia Firewing Three Star DeLuxe
Checkmate!

You can follow the photo packed build thread here
BUILD THREAD :arrow: viewtopic.php?f=75&t=72018&st=0&sk=t&sd=a

WALK AROUND VIDEO :arrow: http://youtu.be/GGIbJxAETtY

Here is a video of me riding Firewing through Historic Savannah.
SAVANNAH RIDE VIDEO : :arrow: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6eZZ0xlw ... e=youtu.be

Previous Build Off Bikes and other builds of mine can be found here
PREVIOUS BUILDS: :arrow: viewtopic.php?f=6&t=67430

Here is what I started with. Nateyboy traded me this for a Firebolt tank.

I am very happy with this build and hope you enjoy the photos that follow. I really enjoy showing off my city (Savannah) with my bike photos, so welcome to the tour. I'll post more photos later along with a parts list (many which came from fellow RRBers).

Voting goes better with Firewing Cola! :wink:

Firewing - NOW PLAYING AT A BUILD OFF NEAR YOU!!!!!

WWII Monument

QueenFish's Magic Courtyard

The Mansion on Forsyth

Night Shots

Neighbors Lane Door

Random Lane Wall

Old Warehouse

Customs House

Color matching windows

Confederate War Memorial in Forsyth Park

Overhead shots in my lane

Matching Year 1953 Chevy Police Car

Neighbors Parking Pad (Just discovered this photo spot)

 

[kingfish254]

Re: Firewing - 1953 Columbia Firewing Three Star DeLuxe

PARTS LIST AND DETAIL PHOTOS

1953 Columbia Three Star DeLuxe bicycle - from @nateyboy
1950s Columbia Tank - from @Spokeshave
Banana seat - from @burrkrayecycles
Teardrop pedals - from @Dbubbleguy
Project 356 shifter - from @BillyZ
Wald "Billy Goat" (ramshorn) handlebars - from @lopo68
Elgin skirt guards - from @CWC
Torpedo grips - from @Rockit!
Wing badges that became the Flying 8 Ball fender badge - From @yoothgeye
Firewing Logo help - from @Glen (all the way from NZ)
Built Not Bought sticker - from @MIGZ
RRB Badge (brake arm brace) - From @Rat Rod
Racoon tail - from the Christmas Market in Tallinn, Estonia
Pabst Blue Ribbon bottle opener tail hanger - from yard sale
1948 Chrysler Tail Light - from ebay
Schwinn Typhoon Cord red brick tires - from flipped bike
Nexus 3 Speed hub - from craigslist tandem
Glass doorknob shifter handle - from yard sale
Flame guards - cut from yard sale roll of roof flashing
1953 Quincy IL Bicycle tag - from ebay
Rusty bell - from yard sale
Columbia head light - from flipped 50s Columbia tanker
Seat springer parts - from various parts
Hidden seat supports - cut from old piece of warehouse shelving
Various 8 ball keychains cut up - from ebay
New Departure brake arm - from original wheel
Chainring seat spring support - from random flip bike
Cat Bell Badge - from a nice cold Fat Cat beer can

Here are some detail shots. I took most of these around the matching year 1953 Chevy Savannah Police Car

 

[kingfish254]

Re: Firewing - 1953 Columbia Firewing Three Star DeLuxe

THIRD PHOTO SET

ANOTHER BEFORE SHOT

 

[kingfish254]

Re: Firewing - 1953 Columbia Firewing Three Star DeLuxe

I am worn out. I'll update the details Sunday.

 

[milbums]

Re: Firewing - 1953 Columbia Firewing Three Star DeLuxe

Great job, I never would have thought you could put so much on a bike without it looking overdone. You pulled it off, it everything goes so well together.

 

[El guapo]

Re: Firewing - 1953 Columbia Firewing Three Star DeLuxe

Way cool ! :shock:

 

[1boomtruck]

Re: Firewing - 1953 Columbia Firewing Three Star DeLuxe

Looks super sweet

 

[King Zebba]

Re: Firewing - 1953 Columbia Firewing Three Star DeLuxe

Everything came together so nice! Great job Kingfish!

 

[Funkme]

Re: Firewing - 1953 Columbia Firewing Three Star DeLuxe

Love it!!! 8) Turned out very well,now sit,relax,put your feet up,and twist the top off a cold one... :wink:
You can let someone else chase your tail now... :lol: :lol:

 

[kingfish254]

Re: Firewing - 1953 Columbia Firewing Three Star DeLuxe

Great job, I never would have thought you could put so much on a bike without it looking overdone. You pulled it off, it everything goes so well together.

Thanks for noticing Milbums. It is a tough balance to achieve.

Way cool ! :shock:

Thanks buddy, in a way this bike is related to the 50s Columbia that we traded. I bought that bike the same time that I bought the Firebolt which I traded the tank from to get Firewing.

Looks super sweet

Thanks Boom, I don't have your machining skills, but I cut a mean aluminum flame.

Everything came together so nice! Great job Kingfish!

From one King to another, that means alot.

Love it!!! 8) Turned out very well,now sit,relax,put your feet up,and twist the top off a cold one... :wink:
You can let someone else chase your tail now... :lol: :lol:

Thanks Miss Funk! AOD has been one of my faves from day one. Let's have a mutual toast to a Build Off well played by all!! CHEERS!!!!!

 

[Funkme]

Re: Firewing - 1953 Columbia Firewing 3 Star DeLuxe - MO PHOTOS

I'll drink to that. :wink:
Another wonderful build off,I'm wondering how many more will finish :?:

 

[kingfish254]

Re: Firewing - 1953 Columbia Firewing 3 Star DeLuxe - MO PHOTOS

That's a lot of photos..

Yes it is, and it's easier to throw them all out there.
The main thing is, I had fun!!!!
It was a blast riding all over town hunting and testing different places.
Hope you all like it.

 

[rat-a-tac]

Re: Firewing - 1953 Columbia Firewing 3 Star DeLuxe - MO PHOTOS

killer work, it was amazing to watch the changes of everyone's builds as the deadline got closer and this was really cool to see evolve.

 

[kensmurray]

Re: Firewing - 1953 Columbia Firewing 3 Star DeLuxe - MO PHOTOS

Kingfish, I didn't think you could top last years bike, but you've done it again. Great Work.
Kenny

 

[Machine Age Victim]

Re: Firewing - 1953 Columbia Firewing 3 Star DeLuxe - MO PHOTOS

Such a great build, nothing is out of place and everything looks like it could easily have come out of a 1953 catalog, a really bad*** catalog!!

 

[kingfish254]

Re: Firewing - 1953 Columbia Firewing 3 Star DeLuxe - MO PHOTOS

killer work, it was amazing to watch the changes of everyone's builds as the deadline got closer and this was really cool to see evolve.

Thanks buddy! Your build came out sick too!! I agree that during the build we only see bits a pieces and experimental stuff, but it's not untill someone starts to pull it all together that you see the whole concept.

 

[kingfish254]

Re: Firewing - 1953 Columbia Firewing 3 Star DeLuxe - MO PHOTOS

Kingfish, I didn't think you could top last years bike, but you've done it again. Great Work.
Kenny

Thanks Kenny, Flexy was a fun build, but Firewing had it's own challenges in tryng to stay true to the build. Glad you like it.

 

[outskirtscustoms]

Re: Firewing - 1953 Columbia Firewing 3 Star DeLuxe - MO PHOTOS

Man if this is any indication of what kingfish is gonna do next year we should all be afraid.

 

[kingfish254]

Re: Firewing - 1953 Columbia Firewing 3 Star DeLuxe - MO PHOTOS

Such a great build, nothing is out of place and everything looks like it could easily have come out of a 1953 catalog, a really bad*** catalog!!

Thanks MAV!!!! I love that compliment and I WANT THAT CATALOG!!!!! Just think if they had nanner seats and billy goat bars in 1953!! :shock: :mrgreen:

 

[kingfish254]

Re: Firewing - 1953 Columbia Firewing 3 Star DeLuxe - MO PHOTOS

Man if this is any indication of what kingfish is gonna do next year we should all be afraid.

Thanks buddy, but my brains still hurts from looking at everyone elses builds this year. I can't even think about next year!