STBO Lamia 🪄Lace Paint & Skull Tail Light

[Shrunken_Head_Pedaler]

Lamia

I picked up this Monark Firestone Cruiser frame for $20 in a package deal with a WCW a few weeks ago. I liked that it had a tank, which is something I usually have to make. The build was contingent on finding affordable bikes for parts. Luckily I came upon a Murray Sears 24” 3 speed for $20 and an Electra 3 speed for $60. Minus a handlebar and fork swap choice, those bikes will provide what I need for the build. I will choose colors to coordinate with the Electra rims. If I can get this build done for under $150, I will be very happy.

 

[Pondo]

That’s such a cool frame. Looking forward to seeing what your mind’s eye beholds.

 

[Shrunken_Head_Pedaler]

That’s such a cool frame. Looking forward to seeing what your mind’s eye beholds.

Thanks @Pondo I think I have the bones of it figured out.
I got the donor wheels and tire set cleaned up and filled. I hope they hold. The donor also came with really sun worn and torn grips, so I had to make a purchase @$14. If I want to stick to a $150 dollar build, I have $36 left to spend. The Murray donor is getting used on two or more builds, but this one will get the crank, stem and possibly the rack. I pulled my lowered springer from my Hiawatha which needs a restore. I think it will a good addition to this bike. I was originally going to use the original fork, but the Electra hub would not fit. Also the truss rods are missing so I will save it back and hope I come upon the trusses someday. Getting a mock up going this weekend so I can spend time on paint concept.
Here is the formula.

 

[Shrunken_Head_Pedaler]

Finally some work on Lamia. She needed head tube surgery to accommodate her new fork. It is a lowered design 26” springer from a long lost site I loved. Bicycledesigner.com. Just a reliable source early on for me. I pulled this fork from my men’s Hiawatha that needs a refresh of body work and paint. It looks good on Lamia. I’ll have a mock up and should be able to ride by the weekend for a shakedown, which I usually don’t have time to do. Using the Electra wheel set and shifting mechanisms has helped save some time, to where I can hopefully just worry about paint over the next few weeks.

 

[Pondo]

Great stance!

 

[Shrunken_Head_Pedaler]

Great stance!

Thanks @Pondo I am very happy with it. It took a little surgery on the head tube to get there. This fork is only useable in combination with short 4.5” cranks from some smaller bike I found years ago. Otherwise it is a major pedal scraper. When I was in Kansas, being a short crank one speed was fine. Now in Colorado, the 3 speed makes sense. I’m excited to test out the mock up this weekend to se how the bike feels. Lamia now has possession of the handlebars, fork and crank from my very first custom build. I excited to have them in this new form, and getting the chance to rework my first build.
I cut down the chain from the Electra donor bike to fit Lamia’s frame length I had a Huffy sprocket I chose to use, that had the right offset which lines up with the rear cog. I had some new pedals sitting around waiting for a project, so on they went. I need to cut down the seat post a bit today as it stands to proud. Getting close to a ride.

 

[Shrunken_Head_Pedaler]

Another part from the donor Electra I am using is the front fender, being used as a bob out back. I chopped out 1.75 inches from the bottom and got the duck bill peak where I wanted it. I think it gives a bit of balance to the bike, in conjunction with the tank. I will most likely paint the fender with the same colors and design.

 

[Shrunken_Head_Pedaler]

So I got rained out for my mock up ride last weekend, so I decided to go ahead and tear Lamia down for painting. I have some fender struts and a chain to clean up in an OA bath, then some body work on the fender. I picked up a box of sandpaper rolls that work well when cleaning up tubing. Hopefully I will have it in primer by next weekend.

 

[Shrunken_Head_Pedaler]

Turning out to be a great day to start stripping the paint from Lamia. A couple of weak layers of paint are coming off easily. A weird coat of primer on top of an oxidized green paint. The frame has very little rust, though it will still get a primer for heavily rusted metal. I like the adhesion and build up which helps with filling ugly frame blemishes. I’ve been thinking about the tank and how I want to paint it. I have some great Halloween themed lace I would like to use if I can find it. Skulls and webs, roses. I may have tossed it, giving up on saving it for a future project. Hopefully I will have the frame painted by the end of next weekend.

 

[Pondo]

I have some great Halloween themed lace I would like to use if I can find it. Skulls and webs, roses.

This is a cool idea!

 

[Shrunken_Head_Pedaler]

This is a cool idea!

Thanks. There are many options for lace type materials for painting. Not just grandmas frilly lace. Lamia is now stripped of its old paint and ready for primer. Any paint that was tough to come off, was scuffed smooth and left. A nice frame, but has some support welds near the bb and the seat down tube. Excited to get it in paint.

 

[Shrunken_Head_Pedaler]

Did some fill work on the fender with JB Weld and some thin tin stock I had. It will get some sanding and filler soon. I also have a tail light project in the works. Picked up a red LED setup with a switch and 9 volt connection. It will all fit perfectly in the little coffin. Looking to hack up a reflector to mold in to the top.

 

[Shrunken_Head_Pedaler]

Since my wife has an incredible amount of amazing nail polishes, I have found the paint for the tank and fender. I’m going to have to source another bottle or two. If I can’t I will use it as accent to a similar color. It has a bunch of flake. I have an airbrush that is non adjustable basically, and will allow thicker paints like flake to flow. And nail polish is easy to airbrush and takes clears well. And it’s lacquer which I like. My go to for paint has always been Model Masters and Testors. I painted my first custom bike with a green mix I made with Model Masters. It took 4 bottles and thinned down to shoot through an airbrush. I put the largest bottle on I had and it sprayed much like rattle canning. But a more controllable finish and color palette. I couldn’t find a rose gold color I liked so I chose to search the nail polish stock.

 

[Shrunken_Head_Pedaler]

Lamia in primer. I had 1/3 of a can and I think I can make it through without buying another. I have some spots to hit on top and I’m close to the sputtering of then can. I have some other that I can use if needed.

 

[Pondo]

I like the nail polish and model paints idea.

 

[Shrunken_Head_Pedaler]

I like the nail polish and model paints idea.

This is the bike I did with Model Masters. I just broke this down for some parts on Lamia and a refresh for this Hiawatha. It has seen better days. I painted it over 15 years ago

 

[Shrunken_Head_Pedaler]

I think I will scrap the coffin taillight for a Crystal Skull Vodka taillight

 

[Shrunken_Head_Pedaler]

First coat of black paint for Lamia.

 

[Shrunken_Head_Pedaler]

I brought Lamia inside for the paint to cure until tomorrow afternoon. I will then wet sand and give it a second coat.

 

[Shrunken_Head_Pedaler]

Lamia got its second coat today. Looking very sharp and I may not hit it a third time. I will see when it dries. It’s a satin black but I may clear coat it. I am also working on the tank. It is in primer and ready do be sanded. The fender needs filed and filled before I prime it. So those are the near future plans. I picked up a black and chrome chain to keep everything shiny and complimentary.