First build -- Big Boy BMX

[hortonbikes]

I've been collecting older bikes for about a year and a half now, and I've experimented with a couple of different ideas, but this is my first true build.

'74 Schwinn Speedster that I scored off craigslist:

I robbed the chainguard and fenders off it for a build my cousin is doing. I decided I wanted to do it up a clunker/BMX build with some sweet flag tires that I bought last summer. I was planning to put them on my tandem bike, but the red frame on the Schwinn seemed like a perfect fit.

Bar and stem swap (off a donor NEXT bike) and wha-llah!

(these two are poor quality iPad pics, but I like the gritty quality of them)

The speedo is actually an RPM gauge from an exercise bike that I robbed for parts. The cable is too short to reach the bars, so I'll probably mount it beside the fork.

I've got a couple of other ideas to finish it off. I'll post my progress as I go. Thanks for looking.

 

[LukeTheJoker]

Nice job! Looks like a fun ride!

Luke.

 

[hortonbikes]

Thanks for the kind words.

Peatbog, they're Sweetskinz tires. I'm not sure if they're made any more. They really pop against the red frame.

 

[The Renaissance Man]

Man I'd like to see those tires on Old Glory!

http://www.ratrodbikes.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=67438&p=661678#p661678

 

[hortonbikes]

A couple of minor updates:

I'm switching to a wheelset with heavy patina because I like the way the tires look against the rust.

And added some new grips (not the best picture).

Oh yeah, and winter has come back to Maine.

From this:

To this:

 

[kensmurray]

Neat bike, I had a blast riding my klunker in the snow.
Kenny

 

[hortonbikes]

Thanks Kenny. It was fun to crunch around in the snow on.

The speedo is out for this build. I'm using it here instead:
http://www.ratrodbikes.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=58&t=68890&p=665435#p665435

 

[texon]

Love the tyres wish the UK was as patriotic about its country as the USA ,Here we are told to remove our flags in case it upsets the ethnic minority`s or face going to court as a racist .

 

[hortonbikes]

Re: First build - Big Boy BMX...now not so much

Thanks Texon.

I ended up putting the Schwinn frame back together with 26 x 1 3/8 wheels and selling it at a swap this spring. I'm using the tires on my Columbia Twosome now, which had been my original plan. I just got it together enough to ride it with a buddy in a Fourth of July parade in my hometown. I didn't keep up with the before and after pics to do a proper build thread, so I'll just add the pictures here. It's pretty much just the tires, a stem and handlebar swap for the front, and the ghost chain ring that are different.

I'm going to swap on the star grips from the Schwinn build soon, because those leather grips are going on a different bike that I'm working on. The bar and grips are from a Bud Light Lime cruiser.