ORBO Frito Bandito: El Fine'!

[OddJob]

Had a couple of issues on the bike that I didn't have tools to handle today. So I headed down to Psycho Sammi Cyclery to get some help. About 90 mins later,after permeating the shop air with blowtorcbed PB Blaster, hydrogen peroxide, a few expletives and lots of laughs; we accomplished our goals.

Then I spent another 90 mins back at BACK40 SOUTHWEST. A busy and productive day!

No time for photos,but here are a couple clues.
Result shots tomorrow!

 

[OddJob]

On my visit yesterday to the bike shop, I picked up a set of grippy nylon mtb pedals, a 1/2 x 1/8 single speed chain, a 1/2" pitch 36t one piece crank chain ring, and some new headset bearings in cages. I had a quill long reach 1" stem in my basket of leftover parts here, that had a 25.4 clamping dia for the Diety bar.

Had to put a little faux-tina on the shiney stem and chainring to blend in, then installed all the parts. Here's how the Bandito sits as of now.
Oh, and I applied a little clear lacquer to the frame to preserve the patina.

 

[Pondo]

Looks awesome! Quick too, you're definitely going to meet your 3 week deadline.

 

[OddJob]

Looks awesome! Quick too, you're definitely going to meet your 3 week deadline.
[/QUOTE]

Si'! Maybe I should have named it Speedy Gonzales!

 

[OddJob]

 

[Captain Awesome]

I like that tread pattern!!

 

[metalchewy]

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Be carefully when riding around mesquite trees. They can be brutal on the skin.

My friend caught one across the knuckles that the rest of us went around. He had thorn slivers stuck in his hand and did a fair amount of bleeding on the ride back to the truck.

 

[OddJob]

I kept looking at this photo of the bars, and at first I thought 'longhorn steer'.

Then I realized it was a signature of the Bandito himself.

 

[The Renaissance Man]

Serendipity.

 

[OddJob]

Okay, ,so today my 5/16 front wheel axle assembly showed up. I decided to get the rear wheel in place and the chain length set before I tackled the hub.

Picked up some rear axle nuts at my local hardware store and set to work. The rear wheel wasn't going in well,and after checking the dropout for burrs or excessive rust, I noticed the drive side chainstay was out of alignment.

A long 2 x 4 for aligning the seat and chain stays, my biggest ball peen hammer, and finally cutting an axle nut in half with my angle grinder to thread on as a spacer to move the wheel over about 4mm kept the chain from rubbing on the lower inside of the stay.

Hub job went great! And got in my first test ride!

 

[metalchewy]

Okay, ,so today my 5/16 front wheel axle assembly showed up. I decided to get the rear wheel in place and the chain length set before I tackled the hub.

Picked up some rear axle nuts at my local hardware store and set to work. The rear wheel wasn't going in well,and after checking the dropout for burrs or excessive rust, I noticed the drive side chainstay was out of alignment.

A long 2 x 4 for aligning the seat and chain stays, my biggest ball peen hammer, and finally cutting an axle nut in half with my angle grinder to thread on as a spacer to move the wheel over about 4mm kept the chain from rubbing on the lower inside of the stay.

Hub job went great! And got in my first test ride!

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This build is just flying along!

From frame to rider in just a few days. My hats off to you. :hattip: You are an expert at the ratisfying craft.

Love everything so far. Can't wait to see what's next.

 

[OddJob]

From frame to rider in just a few days. My hats off to you. :hattip: You are an expert at the ratisfying craft.

Love everything so far. Can't wait to see what's next.

Thanks MC. It rides around our hilly neighborhood real well with the 36t x 17t drive train. Should be good for light trail riding here as well. The Shockmaster fork is really supple and I can't wait to get it in the dirt!

I've been thinking of some accoutrements aka 'gee gaw' that I can add to enhance the theme without making it too garish. And I have an idea for grips that I plan to pursue in the next step toward the 'Finished' line on Frito Bandito.

RaT on~! Ole'~!

 

[KJV]

Gotta Love s CWC ;
You got a nice 1953 there.

The frame was actually produced probably late 48 .. 49. Those two years after the war they over produced frames, the component manufacturers weren't getting components to finish building the bikes quick enough. So they used frames that ran back stock ; then they were restamped with cold stamp.. until late 53 early 54 years.

 

[OddJob]

On my test ride yesterday, I noticed that my right pedal was dipping to the outside on the downstroke. Today before we headed out for the day with friends, I checked and the right crank arm is bent in about halfway down the arm. It's not a lot, but has to be dealt with. I bought a length of 3/4" steel pipe, and will check with a couple neighbors to see if they have a propane torch. For a light heat 'cold forge'.

This bike was hit by something heavy on the drive side. The results were the misaligned rear chain stay and the right crank arm. Probably one of those beastly heavy sedans of the late '40s - early '50s. Just another thing to take care of on the list.

I did brainstorm today while at the Western parade in Scottsdale. Native and Mexican participants and lots of horse riders put some ideas in my head.

 

[KJV]

That woulda been the :
Pima and Maricopa tribes. (?)

 

[OddJob]

And Navaho and Apache represented as well.

 

[OddJob]

 

[Wildcat]

The matching and uniform textured patina is great on that bike.

Try a grade 8 nut and bolt for the collar.

 

[Pondo]

Great job getting things all straightened out. The bike is looking great!

 

[OddJob]

Well, wonders never cease. I found a modern style seat clamp on Amazon for under 6 bucks and got it in less than 24 hrs. Holds like a dream! Might need a little rat-ification later.

And while I had a cart going, I threw in these mock 'Oury' grips. They aren't as beefy as the originals,but match up well with the vibe and tire tread pattern.

You know how sometimes you find a bike that just 'goes', almost with no effort, like it has a spirit of it's own? Tbis is one of those bikes!

I'll make a run on some desert trails after lunch.