Freecycled Fifty - Modified Saddle
- Thread starter yoothgeye
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yoothgeye
I build stuff.
Thank you, it's pretty special to me since it's the frame that got me back into the bicycle game about 4 years ago.
So, my days off switched this week, normally today, but switched to tomorrow, so I went out in the shop for a few minutes tonight after the family was all in bed (separate beds, none of that "family bed" stuff).
First off, I have a real problem finding stuff in a pile, I can stare right at it and not find what I need...
OK, this is what I was looking for! After I originally built this bike I wanted the correct Columbia headbadge. Through a connection my friend @nelvolks made I got the one on the right for a few bucks, only about a month later finding the one on the left on a free bike.
I like the layering of different metals on rats, so I grabbed some of this sheet copper (I've got lots of it, found a full copper stove hood someone threw away) and my snips:
Cut out a quick back plate:
Then I needed some screws since the original holes in the headtube were reamed out, I grabbed my assorted "vintage" screws I found in my shop when I bought this house:
Installed the headbadge over the back plate with some old screws, they look like phillips head screws, but are just criss-cross flathead slots... must have been on something decorative.
Next, the saddle, courtesy of @A.S.BOLTNUT this has been waiting for the right bike... but it's a bit too shiny:
So I experimented with some 80 grit sandpaper, it's looking better already... it's going to be a lot of work though, but worth it for the raw leather look:
Found this cool old reflector in my collection:
Should look good back here:
Then I came inside because it's hot out there in the shop... tomorrow I turn the A/C on.
Looking good Yooth! Great work on the badge, the copper really makes it stand out!
Luke.
Luke.
yoothgeye
I build stuff.
Thanks Luke, it's all about the details...
+1 on that badge, looks sweet! 
Quick mock-up:
-I was planning on painting the frame to match the fenders, but every time I've painted over a frame I took down to bare metal, I've wish I had left it bare, so I think the paint will be used elsewhere.
-I'm already dreading picking bars for this one.
-I'm excited about the tank I'm building, can't wait for you all to see what I have planned.
Wow, you got a great start!
Bare Metal, Bare Metal!!!
I like the bars you got on there now but I know how ideas in your head have to work themselves out...
Great having you back
yoothgeye
I build stuff.
Well, today I grabbed my wheels, took them out of the shop, and then later put them back in the shop... Yesterday I rode a bike all day long and today I ended up helping my neighbor build a fence similar to my bike hidey hole.
yoothgeye
I build stuff.
Back from page 3! I'm not slipping, I just have a lot going on, haha
Me too, so I started on it tonight, first I have to make a wood blank for the tank, I think I'll use this scrap piece of 2x6:
I got out my scroll saw and cut out a tracing and it was a little too big, trimmed it a little and still too big:
It was at this point a neighbor came over to ask me if I could shut my shop door (evidently the saw was a little loud at 10:45pm) because his wife had a migraine. I thanked him for coming to me, apologized and he left. I shut up the shop and used a different saw one more time, but concerned the noise would carry anyway, I shut down the power tools for the night. No, the tank will not be made of wood.
So I decided to finally swap the tires, skinny up front, fatty in the rear, check out this cool old Continental tube from the wide old USA made Carlisle tire:
It's lived a healthy life! The glue marks inside the tire leads me believe these 3 patches were made at the same time.
Maybe I can get back to the tank tomorrow.
Looking good so far, waiting with baited breath for the tank.
Me too, so I started on it tonight, first I have to make a wood blank for the tank, I think I'll use this scrap piece of 2x6:
I got out my scroll saw and cut out a tracing and it was a little too big, trimmed it a little and still too big:
It was at this point a neighbor came over to ask me if I could shut my shop door (evidently the saw was a little loud at 10:45pm) because his wife had a migraine. I thanked him for coming to me, apologized and he left. I shut up the shop and used a different saw one more time, but concerned the noise would carry anyway, I shut down the power tools for the night. No, the tank will not be made of wood.
So I decided to finally swap the tires, skinny up front, fatty in the rear, check out this cool old Continental tube from the wide old USA made Carlisle tire:
It's lived a healthy life! The glue marks inside the tire leads me believe these 3 patches were made at the same time.
Maybe I can get back to the tank tomorrow.
yoothgeye
I build stuff.
Simple, just cut 2 plexiglass sides, affix them firmly and inflate the tube inside to press against the plexi.
yoothgeye
I build stuff.
OK, I had some time this morning so I went back out to go for the tank again. Feeling a little more confident using my power tools in daylight hours, I finished the blank:
While I had my sander out I attacked the seat again, I think it looks much better. This is after sanding it and cleaning it with a leather conditioner:
On to the tank, in sticking with my "freecycling" theme, I got out something to make the tank:
Cutting and bending:
The wood is not inside, this is just the plates pop riveted together:
I think it's a keeper.
While I had my sander out I attacked the seat again, I think it looks much better. This is after sanding it and cleaning it with a leather conditioner:
On to the tank, in sticking with my "freecycling" theme, I got out something to make the tank:
Cutting and bending:
The wood is not inside, this is just the plates pop riveted together:
I think it's a keeper.
yoothgeye
I build stuff.
You commented while I was posting the tank photos! haha
That tank is awesome Yooth!
Luke.
Luke.
I dig it! Was that a space liner front fork I saw?
yoothgeye
I build stuff.
Yes, I guess I'm using it, looked decent in the mock-up, I'll see once I start cleaning it up.
I dig the spaceliner fork, but then again, I'm partial to them, Since I own like 4 of them...
OK, I had some time this morning so I went back out to go for the tank again. Feeling a little more confident using my power tools in daylight hours, I finished the blank:
While I had my sander out I attacked the seat again, I think it looks much better. This is after sanding it and cleaning it with a leather conditioner:
On to the tank, in sticking with my "freecycling" theme, I got out something to make the tank:
Cutting and bending:
The wood is not inside, this is just the plates pop riveted together:
I think it's a keeper.
Great idea & execution. I want one.
