FITMENT

[sdframe]

Think about it. Fitment is what it's all about in rodding; whether it's trying to shoehorn a 392 Hemi into a '32 Ford, or a 7-speed Nexus hub into a single-speed frame. As rat rod bikers, we've all dealt with 22.2 mm goosenecks and 21.1 steering tubes, fat tires in skinny frames, and 26 by 1 1/4 tires (do the numbers 570, 590 and 597 have any meaning to you?) Let's not even talk about the multitude of seat post sizes, from 13/16" up to lord-knows what, or chains, which come in so many widths. For this reason, I find it appropriate to name my rat rod bike project "FITMENT", and YOU know why.

 

[The Renaissance Man]

Very fitting for a rat rod.

 

[sdframe]

The plan is simple: Use as many original parts as necessary, add as much chrome as I can, make it badass, and make it saleable. I can't keep a lot of bikes, since I am living in a townhouse. And, speaking of "saleable," I would have kept the faded, rusted patina, but the resale market dictates that I paint it. Matte black is a very acceptable finish in the resale market. Ho Hum.

Chrome parts:

Oh yeah, it's gonna be shiny, shiny, shiny. I already love it, but will everything FIT???

FITMENT PROBLEM #1: Rear Tire. I love this tire, it's 20 by 3.0, and feel it must be incorporated into the build, BUT, WILL IT FIT?

I mounted it on the original rear wheel, and tried it out:

It JUST made it! As long as the Ebike wheel I ordered is nice and true, it should work. The bad news: Th original rear fender won't fit now.

FITMENT PROBLEM #1 has been addressed and corrected.

Future fitment problems looming on the horizon:
- 24" drum brake front wheel

- big, fat motor wheel in the frame
- where will the battery fit?
- where will the controller fit?
- what handlebars will fit?

 

[sdframe]

The plan is simple: Use as many original parts as necessary, add as much chrome as I can, make it ......, and make it saleable. I can't keep a lot of bikes, since I am living in a townhouse. And, speaking of "saleable," I would have kept the faded, rusted patina, but the resale market dictates that I paint it. Matte black is a very acceptable finish in the resale market. Ho Hum.

Chrome parts:
View attachment 230493


Oh yeah, it's gonna be shiny, shiny, shiny. I already love it, but will everything FIT???

FITMENT PROBLEM #1: Rear Tire. I love this tire, it's 20 by 3.0, and feel it must be incorporated into the build, BUT, WILL IT FIT?

View attachment 230497

I mounted it on the original rear wheel, and tried it out:


View attachment 230498

It JUST made it! As long as the Ebike wheel I ordered is nice and true, it should work. The bad news: Th original rear fender won't fit now.


View attachment 230500
FITMENT PROBLEM #1 has been addressed and corrected.

Future fitment problems looming on the horizon:
- 24" drum brake front wheelView attachment 230502

- big, fat motor wheel in the frame
- where will the battery fit?
- where will the controller fit?
- what handlebars will fit?

 

[sdframe]

FITMENT PROBLEM #2: Fat E-bike rear motor wheel on Apollo 3 rear dropouts:

So close! But I need to grind about 1 mm off the dropout slots. Mr. Dremel, here I come. Done! FITMENT PROBLEM #2 addressed and resolved.


I filled some holes in the frame, masked it, primered it,and masked off the head tube for contrast. I forgot to take pics of this process, but here are the results:

I do like the contrast between the faded head tube and the matte black frame. Read the head badge, think Billy Joel.

 

[Funkme]

Gee you are moving as fast as me on this build...
Shiny Shiny, as soon as I read that, I have now this song in my head...
So I will pass it onto everyone else now...

 

[OddJob]

SD is IN! And bringing it, fittingly, with an E-bike build. (you should share your history with these for the new followers)

I hope this build doesn't cause you fits. Remember, if the shoe doesn't fit, make it fit!

Cool frame and ideas! I love the rear slick as is, doesn't need a fender.

E-RaT oN~!

 

[sdframe]

Gee you are moving as fast as me on this build...
Shiny Shiny, as soon as I read that, I have now this song in my head...
So I will pass it onto everyone else now...

As a proud retiree, I had a glorious, full day of bike building yesterday. I get so involved, I miss meals, forget to take pics, and skip personal hygiene. Love Hayzee Fantayzee.

 

[sdframe]

Thanks, Lee. Yeah, I figure the seat can act as a fender. It sure looks like it's gonna be a great build-off.

 

[sdframe]

I had two distractions yesterday.

First, my ebike kit was delivered, and, oops, I apparently ordered a 26" wheel by accident! Guess what, it aint gonna FIT!!! No problem, I'll save it for another build. I did re-order the right size, and should have it in 3 or 4 days.

Second, I fell in love on Craigslist again, and made an offer on this beauty:

He accepted my offer this morning, so it's off to the ATM today. I hope I have room for it.

While I wait for the properly sized motor kit, I'll work on rust removal on the original chromed pieces.

 

[Jude Ephesus]

The plan is simple: Use as many original parts as necessary, add as much chrome as I can, make it ......, and make it saleable. I can't keep a lot of bikes, since I am living in a townhouse. And, speaking of "saleable," I would have kept the faded, rusted patina, but the resale market dictates that I paint it. Matte black is a very acceptable finish in the resale market. Ho Hum.

Chrome parts:
View attachment 230493


Oh yeah, it's gonna be shiny, shiny, shiny. I already love it, but will everything FIT???

FITMENT PROBLEM #1: Rear Tire. I love this tire, it's 20 by 3.0, and feel it must be incorporated into the build, BUT, WILL IT FIT?

View attachment 230497

I mounted it on the original rear wheel, and tried it out:


View attachment 230498

It JUST made it! As long as the Ebike wheel I ordered is nice and true, it should work. The bad news: Th original rear fender won't fit now.


View attachment 230500
FITMENT PROBLEM #1 has been addressed and corrected.

Future fitment problems looming on the horizon:
- 24" drum brake front wheelView attachment 230502

- big, fat motor wheel in the frame
- where will the battery fit?
- where will the controller fit?
- what handlebars will fit?

Awesome that thing fit!!!!!

 

[Bike from the Dead]

Looking forward to seeing this Ross ebike come together. Hoping everything fits or can be made to fit as desired! Also, nice score on the J.C. Higgins!

 

[LukeTheJoker]

Muscle EBike, cool.

 

[kingfish254]

Can't wait to see your ebike work on this apollo.
Great score on the higgy
FITMENT PROBLEM #3 - How will sdframe fit his new bike into his townhouse along with the extra ebike whelel.

 

[sdframe]

MY BAD!!! While I've never been good at documenting my builds, this one takes the cake. Here's what happened: As I was getting close to finishing "Fitment," I got a text from a guy who had previously bought an e bike conversion from me (a sweet Giant Stiletto.) I told him I was close to finishing Fitment and sent him a pic. He texted back and said he wanted it, NOW!! I felt obliged, since it would be his only transportation (he loaned the Stiletto to a friend,) so I brought it to him the next day. The only picture I have of the finished bike is the one I sent my buyer on the spur of the moment. I never got to add the truss rods, which I feel would have been the crowning touch. And I never got to take some decent final shots! Once I left it with him, it was out of sight and out of mind, and I went on to other projects. I do have some pics from after my last post. I'll post them and end my thread with the "final" pic that I sent to the buyer.

 

[Jude Ephesus]

I’m bummed! Super cool build! Can’t wait to see where this thing finished up!

 

[sdframe]

*** MORE TO COME AFTER THE MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND *** Have a great one!

 

[sdframe]

I'm back from Pinetop, AZ, where we spent an extended Memorial Day weekend. It was lovely, and I did spend some time thinking about the childhood friends I lost in the Vietnam war.
Anyhow, I'll now post what pics I have to SORT OF show you how the build went:

FITMENT PROBLEM #3: Fat 24" drum brake wheel on a skinny 27" fork.
Turns out it was not a fitment problem at all. And just look how the arm from the drum brake fit the fork when I dug out the perfect clamp for the job!
Fitment problem #3 solved.

 

[sdframe]

Next, I cleaned, de-rusted, greased and painted the plastic backing plate on the original one-piece crank.

Before:

After:

 

[sdframe]