Hiawatha Rat

[King Zebba]

This was pretty much a quick build. Do to the fact that it's a Hiawatha makes it already a Cool Cool bike to own. I scored this right here on RRB from member nateyboy. I have always wanted one of these. The frame design is just awesome. I wanted to give it a Rat look so I made some apes for it. I put some 24" electra 3 speed wheels I had left over from my Straight 8. I added a 3 speed shifter from Migz. The grips I used are from member ifitsfreeitsforme. The tires I used are felt thick bricks. After seeing what Crankset Leather was doing I could'nt help myself. So here it is.






The tank was in bad shape. It had some rust holes on the bottom of each side.






I had to replace the stem because it was broken inside.



Surprise!




New bottom bracket, crank, and pedals. The chain ring I had from another bike.

 

[pacman270]

fly ride. Love the wheels

 

[Wildcat]

delete

doublepost

 

[Wildcat]

Another great looking CWC bike! The chrome chain guard and sprocket set off the black nicely. Is the original tank under there?

 

[Crankset Leather]

Is the original tank under there?

Chris here, No original metal tank under the leather. I used thick saddle grade full grain leather to construct this unique tank. King Zebba sent me the original metal tank to copy and shape my hardwood form mold. The thick leather was then shaped to this new wooden form. His logo tooled and everything glued when it was bone dry. I used my original leather tank wallet design on this one. The idea was that it opens up like a wallet and has a built in compartment inside for cash bill fold storage and maybe even some pen and note pad for those runs to the liquor store. Also a great place to store biz cards. Due to the tight time limit, I was unable to complete it and never really did tell King Zebba of my original wallet idea. We'll see what he decides after he reads this post and may return the tank for final detail work.
Here's a few build pics.....

 

[Crankset Leather]

During construction one side was done before the other. This pic is just before the other side was dyed with Pro Oil Black.

 

[Crankset Leather]

On this picture you can see how it's secured to the bottom crossbar via 8 nickel plated snaps. This leather tank design doesn't make the inside completely hollow and only leaves a 1" space thickness of the crossbar tubes between each side.

 

[papawrandy]

Sweet ride!I love the tank!

 

[King Zebba]

Thanks guys!! This is a real fun bike to ride. The leather goods from Crankset leather are just crazy cool!!! 8)

 

[junknutz1975]

SICK ride man! :shock:


:mrgreen:

 

[King Zebba]

SICK ride man! :shock:


:mrgreen:

Thanks! junknuts! Your RRBO 8 bike was Awesome!

 

[junknutz1975]

SICK ride man! :shock:


:mrgreen:

Thanks! junknuts! Your RRBO 8 bike was Awesome!

Thanks a bunch! :mrgreen:

 

[deven_science]

I saw this bike in person, and it's a great ride!

 

[King Zebba]

I saw this bike in person, and it's a great ride!

Thanks Deven. The bikes you brought to shiny side up were amazing!

 

[sensor]

Nice build!

 

[King Zebba]

Nice build!

Thanks Sensor.