Klunkher- orbo

[dropstep]

So this woman’s 53 scwhinn was the first woman’s bike I purchased for my wife. She hated the patina so the paint process was started.

Then I purchased this parts bike for it around the same time and she liked the color so she just rode it until her spaceliner was built

So 4-5 years later I’m finally going to do something with it. It’s 24 inch and I figure someone will find some use in it.

I’m hoping one of these fit for some extra off road looks because I’m not sure either of these are real functional anymore

 

[GeePig]

I’m hoping one of these fit for some extra off road looks because I’m not sure either of these are real functional anymore

I am sure those anchors are as functional as ever.

 

[metalchewy]

Hard.tail step through. Noice!

Should be a fun build!

 

[Bike from the Dead]

Can't say I've seen too many step-through klunker bikes. I'm curious to see how you put this one together.

 

[JA331]

Cool idea. Maybe the start of a new trend.

 

[Wildcat]

I remember my sister's bike bending as my brothers and I landed it several times from the jumps we did back in the 60's. The step through frames have the top tube and seat tube joining together at a point with little support, so that's where the seat tube bends many times. (the red area)

I just thought of a way to reinforce the seat tube so it doesn't bend and won't need to make a change to the look of the frame.

Get a footlong section of steel tubing or pipe (13/16ths for Schwinn) that will slide into the seat tube like a seat post so it will provide the extra support that area needs and still have room for the actual seat post to slide down in. There may be a weld lip at the bottom bracket so the extra tube won't slide down to the crank. But if not, a tab at the bottom of the extra tube will hold it in place.

 

[Karate Chicken Industries]

That extra weight will be low and that's good.

 

[dropstep]

No new trends it’s just the frame I have and I want to try a 24 inch klunker.

This was my ride until I had my first back surgery and while I no longer hit skateparks up or catch big air I miss having a capable bike. Every 26 inch klunker I’ve built feels too long and tall. I’m not comfortable in the positioning.

good chance if this is comfortable it either gets a sex change or swapped over too a men’s frame. This is me trying to use what’s available and see!

anyway tonight I had 45 minutes so I decided to try on some forks, get disappointed by my 24 inch tire selection and try 26s on this frame.

original fork, I don’t trust those flat blades at all

turns out this ones off a 26 inch road bike and is meh.

This ones my favorite but it barely fits and is also a 26.

This is a 26 rear wedged in there, it would work if I can manage to keep the wheel slammed in the drop out.

then with both 26s it looks a bit weird. Going to put some air in a 24x1.95 tomorrow and contemplate some more. Half day at work means I should have time to goof around with it

 

[GeePig]

24" are fun, and they kick the front wheel forward, away from your foot. Have you considered shopping for a worn child's bike with suitable 24" tires, I have a lovely set of 20" offroad tires that came extra with a bike I only wanted for the wheels and SRAM?

 

[Wildcat]

The extra height on the forks really gave the frame a laid back look.

 

[MattiThundrrr]

The extra height on the forks really gave the frame a laid back look.

Agreed, taller forks move back the seatpost angle nicely

 

[Tallbikeman]

If you are doing tricks I wouldn't use the flat blade fork. If not then they are quite usable and safe. I've had very good luck with flat blade forks but I don't do tricks. It is hard to keep these step thru frames from bending where the top tube hits the seatpost tube. Mixte frames more or less solve that issue but they don't have the cool looks of the Schwinn step thru. You're extra interior tube may solve that issue for you. Time will tell. Rivendell is selling a step thru MTB called the Clem Smith L and it also has a low top tube but uses chrome moly tubing. I've seen an awful lot of older American step thru frames that had the bend. Good luck with your project.

 

[dropstep]

If you are doing tricks I wouldn't use the flat blade fork. If not then they are quite usable and safe. I've had very good luck with flat blade forks but I don't do tricks. It is hard to keep these step thru frames from bending where the top tube hits the seatpost tube. Mixte frames more or less solve that issue but they don't have the cool looks of the Schwinn step thru. You're extra interior tube may solve that issue for you. Time will tell. Rivendell is selling a step thru MTB called the Clem Smith L and it also has a low top tube but uses chrome moly tubing. I've seen an awful lot of older American step thru frames that had the bend. Good luck with your project.

No plans for any crazy tricks but I’ve broken chromoly bmx frames so there’s a chance this one gets bent. I keep browsing Facebook for something vintage in men’s 24 but they are rare and the 2 I have my sons ride.

 

[dropstep]

24" are fun, and they kick the front wheel forward, away from your foot. Have you considered shopping for a worn child's bike with suitable 24" tires, I have a lovely set of 20" offroad tires that came extra with a bike I only wanted for the wheels and SRAM?

The 24s I have are off used bikes. That’s how I collect my parts for most builds. I just have a weird urge for colored tires on everything and have a collection of them in 26. None with an aggressive enough knobby for this build.

 

[dropstep]

Swapped over too some generic mountain bike tires and got them inflated but didn’t make a bunch of progress today. I got lazy after spending an hour looking for a seat post that would fit

ignore the seat.

plenty of space for rubber, weird for me because I seem to build middleweight frames normally.

at some point when my wife was riding the donor bike she managed to overheat a bunch of grease. She’s hard on brakes. I’ll rebuild it again!

 

[Tallbikeman]

This frame has lovely lines. It will make a great looking Klunker. The only times you don't overheat a coaster brake hub is when pedaling or when sliding the wheel. On big dirt hills stick more to sliding as needed and your brake wont get so hot.

 

[dropstep]

After replacing the front tube again I decided too look at it sitting level. I’ve came too the conclusion I need to fully assemble it and ride it too have any clue if it works. I try these bars on everything but that’s too much leaning forward for me.

These are more my taste, this pair already has a home but they were handy. They look too tall on this build

 

[metalchewy]

View attachment 177126 These are more my taste, this pair already has a home but they were handy. They look too tall on this build

Those second bars look really good with that setup.

 

[GeePig]

Yes, and I like the saddle on that

 

[dropstep]

Was a pretty warm day today so I decided to do a quickie spray in some paint that was laying around and see if any works with the wheel color

it’s not pretty in this theme

bottom drop out is the sea foam I used for my chopper build a few build offs ago and the top is Ford blue

This is a bit of hunter green.

This is leftover brick from an RC car build. I’ll peak at these off and on the next few days and see if any are a winner. Whatever color I choose will be “aged”