Starting a thread here mainly to motivate myself to work on this build. As I stated in the MBBO #4 announcement thread I had already picked up a banana seat and wanted to build something around it using the 26 x 3” tire I have had since 2008 and the home built springer I made years ago. Then MBBO #4 came along so figured why not.
I really wanted to use a “curved frame” to build with but have had absolutely no luck finding anything locally. I even went as far to go to the local K-Mart store to just buy a cheap arse Huffy $79 bike to get the basics but they didn’t have any in stock.
So I gave up and drug out an old aluminum women’s mountain bike that wasn’t much use in its existing state and am looking at what I could do with it. Once I stuck the springer on the front and mocked up the big rear tire (without air so it would stuff in there) I figured it could work for a rider “Muscle looking” bike. I wanted it to sit up higher in the front, lower in the back with the fat tire and an overall hot rod look. I immediately thought “gasser” with the front up with the apes and the fat rear and low banana seat but I see sabcat has already beat me to the gasser concept here (http://www.ratrodbikes.com/forum/index.php?threads/mbbo-04-class-1-the-master-gasser.94286/) I’m cutting up this frame though so I guess this will have to a Class 2 entry. I know most here aren’t likely impressed by new aluminum straight pipe builds but that’s what I have to work with so that’s what it is. Not going to win any awards up against the outstanding stuff here but building the fun part to me.
The initial influence was actually from TopNotchLSX and his Muscle Cruiser build (http://www.ratrodbikes.com/forum/in...le-cruiser-build-from-the-new-guy-done.92453/) in the Build Off 10 comp. I really liked the final product and the look.
So overall I have some simple goals for this build:
The Pile Of Odd Parts (POOP) if you will
And after hacking around a bit this week I’m like this so far, sorry for the messy over loaded garage.
I wanted to have the "drilled out" look or similar so I found some aluminum tubing and drilled holes out.
Going to (try) welding them in each hold to keep the strength but add a custom old school type of look.
As you can tell, I killed the back half as it needs widening and that will be the biggest challenge of the whole build I'm sure.
Rebuilding/building chain stays and seat stays in aluminum will be quite interesting.
Stay tuned and if you hear muffled cussing it's likely me trying to make this work.
Stephen
I really wanted to use a “curved frame” to build with but have had absolutely no luck finding anything locally. I even went as far to go to the local K-Mart store to just buy a cheap arse Huffy $79 bike to get the basics but they didn’t have any in stock.
So I gave up and drug out an old aluminum women’s mountain bike that wasn’t much use in its existing state and am looking at what I could do with it. Once I stuck the springer on the front and mocked up the big rear tire (without air so it would stuff in there) I figured it could work for a rider “Muscle looking” bike. I wanted it to sit up higher in the front, lower in the back with the fat tire and an overall hot rod look. I immediately thought “gasser” with the front up with the apes and the fat rear and low banana seat but I see sabcat has already beat me to the gasser concept here (http://www.ratrodbikes.com/forum/index.php?threads/mbbo-04-class-1-the-master-gasser.94286/) I’m cutting up this frame though so I guess this will have to a Class 2 entry. I know most here aren’t likely impressed by new aluminum straight pipe builds but that’s what I have to work with so that’s what it is. Not going to win any awards up against the outstanding stuff here but building the fun part to me.
The initial influence was actually from TopNotchLSX and his Muscle Cruiser build (http://www.ratrodbikes.com/forum/in...le-cruiser-build-from-the-new-guy-done.92453/) in the Build Off 10 comp. I really liked the final product and the look.
So overall I have some simple goals for this build:
- Use the 26 x 3” tire I bought back in 2008 and never could fit it anywhere
- Use the old homemade “springer” I built back years ago that’s been hanging on the wall
- Use the new banana seat I just purchased
- Learn to work and weld aluminum the best I can with my MIG welder (which may be the downfall of it all)
- Have an easy to ride bike to kick around the neighborhood on
The Pile Of Odd Parts (POOP) if you will
And after hacking around a bit this week I’m like this so far, sorry for the messy over loaded garage.
I wanted to have the "drilled out" look or similar so I found some aluminum tubing and drilled holes out.
Going to (try) welding them in each hold to keep the strength but add a custom old school type of look.
As you can tell, I killed the back half as it needs widening and that will be the biggest challenge of the whole build I'm sure.
Rebuilding/building chain stays and seat stays in aluminum will be quite interesting.
Stay tuned and if you hear muffled cussing it's likely me trying to make this work.
Stephen
Haha!! Great name for that pile that most of us have. 
