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Just catching up on this killer build. No need to cut the threads or the fork, when changing wheelsets. It's pretty easy to swap front axles out. Which tire / wheel combo rides the best?

Carl.

Sent from the edge of an alternate universe...
 
Just catching up on this killer build. No need to cut the threads or the fork, when changing wheelsets. It's pretty easy to swap front axles out. Which tire / wheel combo rides the best?

Carl.

Sent from the edge of an alternate universe...
Thanks for the wake up call! The 700c are a “new” China set. I figured the bearings and or race would be non compatible. Change out appears to have worked moving on with it. Stay tuned. Thanks again.
Playing with different fender set.
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Well this build is either regressing or evolving. The frame is from 1934. So it’s either going to have pre-1933 or post-1933 look.
I mocked it up again with different fenders and a 700c wheelset with the Schwalbe Century tires. If I go this route I think I want to use wider tires without a bunch of graphics. The front fender needs some paint as it’s all rust.
The dachshund was the shop dog today.
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I had to cut down the front fender so I used the original as a pattern.
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Raining today so did my work inside my cramped garage shop area.
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Again comments all welcomed.


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Without seeing the tank mounted, which I think will only promote further, the long, lean and mean look of this build! And by 'mean' I mean, 'means business'!

If I remember, your bars are shiny chrome with a brace. I'd say black out the bar and any other shiny silver / chrome, and use that black rimmed wheelset for sure!

Looking stellar!
 
Thinking about getting a pair of Continental Retro Rides or Ride Cruisers, 700x50 or 700x55 in Brown/Brown. I need to take a couple of measurements. If I don’t use them on the TransWorld I have another bike I could use them on.
The Retro Rides have been discontinued and replaced be the Ride Cruisers. Same appearance different puncture protection. Appears to be some of the older ones on eBay. Less graphics on sidewalls also.
Guess I’ll break it down again and clean up the frame and fork and see what I actually have paint/patina wise.
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The colors in various listings seem to vary so it’s somewhat of a crapshoot as to what the actual color is. This last one is from the Continental web page.
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Really digging those brown tires! They had caught my eye while shopping as well.
 
Without seeing the tank mounted, which I think will only promote further, the long, lean and mean look of this build! And by 'mean' I mean, 'means business'!
If I remember, your bars are shiny chrome with a brace. I'd say black out the bar and any other shiny silver / chrome, and use that black rimmed wheelset for sure!

Looking stellar!
Thank You! Anxious to put it together enough to do a test ride with the current wheelset. I don’t think I can bring myself to mucking up the shiny cross bars. They will probably retain their shine. As stated previously in High School I had an old primered Ford with shiny baby moons and occasionally a set of spinner hub caps. They were the “lipstick on a pig” so to speak. With the second fender set I’m warming up to the 700c/28”/29” look, just need to gel on a set of tires.
Oh yeah!
Liking this one.:cool2:
Thanks for following along! Stay tuned.
...OH, and the frame looks awesome! Don't touch that dial!
I wish the paint was a little more defined but had it been I probably wouldn’t have popped on the bike. It is what it is and has earned a second chance.
Really digging those brown tires! They had caught my eye while shopping as well.
The 26” set I have on another bike are quite a bit different in color as compared the different shades of brown that show up in the web sales postings.
I have those Retro Rides on my Build Off bike and they're just perfect
I like the tread pattern, it’s got an old school look. I could do with out the reflective stripe though.



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The rain turned off this afternoon so I moved the stand to the driveway. I removed the rear wheel and added a 10T skiptooth adapter cog. I’ve used them before they fit and work well. I’ll probably have to lengthen the chain when fitting back on.
Also beat the rear rack into submission in a couple of spots and mounted it up. Tried to get it parallel with the lower frame tube, close.
I’m starting to like the look of the 700c wheelset but still need to gel on a set of tires. Still want a set with some width to them and less busy than the current tires. Most of the bikes that I actually ride some mileage on are 700c wheel bikes.
Progress photos:
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1934 TransWorld Motobike Rat - RRBBO#14 ToDo List:
———————————————————————
Make decision on 26” or 700c wheelset. Decide on tires.
Change out bottom bracket cups and bearings, clean replacement bearings set.
Fit chain, may need to lengthen.
Clean rear fender for 700c Build. Add brass mounting bolts.
Distress/accent paint/decal tank.
Clean battery tube. Shorten light power cable, install battery pack.
Clean and/or replace, lube headset.
Fit bars, fit teacup light and route wire.
Fit Klaxon horn.
Prep and paint font fender to match rear.
Decide on grips.
Decide on pedals.
Recover saddle or use Brooks 135.
Final assembly and adjustments.
Test ride and final tweaks


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Tirelessly pursuing finalization of the tire choice without breaking the bank. I remembered that I had an extra brown Retro Ride tire. It has a couple of slits in it as it was when I received it, apparently careless packing as they resized the box. Brand new tire with slices on the sidewall. Anyway the color doesn’t come close to matching the Continental web site or several different images on eBay. Take look at the real life pics.
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Again complications...undecided. Red Clay tires in 700x? Would be good.
Going to look for some paint for front fender.

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Trying to keep it looking Ratty, thanks!
So, when will you be taking custom orders for motorbike tanks :)
Looks Great!
It crossed my mind but they are labor intensive. About $10.00 in materials. I’d have to fine tune the tank a little more and I’m not sure how much identically there would be from bike frame to frame. Mine fits real tight as is.
It’s something to think about though. Thanks for following the build.
Red clay, totally
I’ve yet to find a 700/28/29er tire in “red clay” color, some cream, some duo colors. There are some with sidewall color but no red clay that I’ve run across. Quite a few skinny funky color hipster tires though.

On another note I changed out the bottom bracket and installed the crank and sprocket. I also removed the front fender, got rid of some surface rust and gave it a shot of primer. I noticed it has at least one rust pinhole. Extra points for rust holes?
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Tirelessly pursuing finalization of the tire choice without breaking the bank. I remembered that I had an extra brown Retro Ride tire. It has a couple of slits in it as it was when I received it, apparently careless packing as they resized the box. Brand new tire with slices on the sidewall. Anyway the color doesn’t come close to matching the Continental web site or several different images on eBay. Take look at the real life pics.
c6751cbd01de45301126ad21f3e68fb5.jpg
9f6070bf627754b4e778c336ed35ea7a.jpg
9abfe7da4027157a6478cb108f3d9ff6.jpg

Again complications...undecided. Red Clay tires in 700x? Would be good.
Going to look for some paint for front fender.

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I like the light brown ... I think it would go well with a rusty patina monochromatic vibe.
 
Trying to find a paint color that gets close to the rear fender and/or frame red. I had three of the colors in my paint cabinet, purchased two others. I think at least one will be close enough with some added patina OddJob style.
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Rather amazing how many different shades of red there are. None really matching so far.
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when it dries and with some massages one should do.

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