(MBBO#05 Class 2) Flashback GT - Done!

[LukeTheJoker]

Really nice work going on here!

Luke.

 

[The Renaissance Man]

I haven't been keeping track with the builds for the last couple of weeks so I missed a lot here! Incredible job and just what I had expected based on you past work. Keep it up!

 

[furyus]

View attachment 33442

Partridge Family, Brady Bunch. Jan or Marsha, Beetles or Monkees? Monkeemobile, Munster Koach. Dean Jeffries, George Barris, "Big Daddy" Roth. "Capt. Pepi's Motorcycle and Zeppelin Repair". MPC, AMT, Revell. Testors (the one that actually worked, not the one that smelled like oranges). Riding late into long warm summer nights. Street lights don't come on till ten. Who's house do we meet at tomorrow? Schwinn Stingray Fastback.

Oh, man, I was there. Those were good good good times. Probably why I'm always drawn back to Sting-Ray builds - happy memories. Of course, back then I pretending I was riding a motorcycle or driving a Corvette (or even a tractor-trailer) when I rode my bike. Now I've done all those things for real, repeatedly, and now I just wanna ride my bike.

Your build is outrageous. Barris or Roth would've hired you on the spot.

Marsha.

furyus

 

[tjwilson]

Oh, man, I was there. Those were good good good times. Probably why I'm always drawn back to Sting-Ray builds - happy memories. Of course, back then I pretending I was riding a motorcycle or driving a Corvette (or even a tractor-trailer) when I rode my bike. Now I've done all those things for real, repeatedly, and now I just wanna ride my bike.

Your build is outrageous. Barris or Roth would've hired you on the spot.

Marsha.

furyus

Thank you very much!

Just like never forgetting how to ride a bike, That first taste of freedom and the memory how riding a bike made your world grow exponentially seems to have real sticking power.

Jan.

 

[tjwilson]

Hoped to have a rider by now but, with the welds finished off the frame still had way too much flex. About 1/4" bounce between the rear axle and the top back of the seat... only by sitting on it! A test ride was totally out of the question. Little bit of a set-back although not a complete surprise. I'd received fare warning about the design but was curious enough to gamble and try it anyway. Time for some "additive engineering and re-design". Plan is to add a second side / seat stay and tie that into the first. Strength should come from the two fighting each other as they try to flex. That's the thought anyway. Might also have to add a brace at the bottom of the side and the bottom bracket. Visually that seemed to be where most of the flex was occurring.

Here's a 3D mock-up of what's planned. Still trying to decide how the top of the new piece will curve and blend into the seat bottom.

Bending and welding metal.

Pieces roughly positioned to get an idea of how things really look.

Also had to spend a little time straightening the frame after finishing off the welds so far. Nothing that the leverage of a six foot 2x4 couldn't fix.

 

[The Renaissance Man]

That's still aesthetically pleasing and looks like it might be just strong enough! Great solution, keep up the stellar work!

 

[Fv2]

Agreed, it keeps the flow and looks great.

 

[LukeTheJoker]

Nice solution! It keeps that light and flowing design but will add a lot of strength!

I think I actually prefer it, gives it is backbone and muscle!

Luke.

 

[tjwilson]

That's still aesthetically pleasing and looks like it might be just strong enough! Great solution, keep up the stellar work!

Agreed, it keeps the flow and looks great.

Thank you very much!

Nice solution! It keeps that light and flowing design but will add a lot of strength!

I think I actually prefer it, gives it is backbone and muscle!

Luke.

Thanks Luke, I think I prefer this version too. The original looks kind of anemic when you compare the two.

 

[OddJob]

Beefy, yet sleek. Def muscle bike vibe, with a twist...or make that a 'curve'!

 

[tjwilson]

Seems the smaller frame pieces take even more time than the larger ones. Agonized a bit over the final curve of the new rear frame support. Originally started out with a curve that was symmetrical top and bottom. Not bad but kind of bland. Ended up with a piece that reminds me of a stinger. I think it visually adds some forward movement to the frame too. More importantly, even though everything is only tack welded, the frame feels sturdy and there's no more flex.

One of two chain stay bridges prior to weld.

Bending seat cross pieces.

The stinger.

Seat frame in-process. Plan to add a couple more reinforcement pieces.

Frame to-date details and overview.

 

[pholTmonx]

So glad get the update... Wow dose that look intentional and planned from the start... Really amazing stuff.

*Edit I really like the seat and stays.... The caged look it gives lools like your holding back a torque monster.. I think it's great effect.. befor looked like it was lightweight bouncer... This screams muscle!

 

[GuitarlCarl]

Dude, you could slap a couple pieces of boomerang print formica together for a wicked 60's gone Jetson's vibe tank/panel.

Carl.

 

[The Renaissance Man]

Beautiful!

 

[LukeTheJoker]

Coming together awesome! Love the reinforcement, looks better with it than without it!
Under a month left, going to make the deadline?

Luke.

 

[OneHorsePower]

Beautiful work !

 

[tjwilson]

So glad get the update... Wow dose that look intentional and planned from the start... Really amazing stuff.

*Edit I really like the seat and stays.... The caged look it gives lools like your holding back a torque monster.. I think it's great effect.. befor looked like it was lightweight bouncer... This screams muscle!

Beautiful!

Beautiful work !

Thank you very much. Appreciate the encouragement.

 

[tjwilson]

Dude, you could slap a couple pieces of boomerang print formica together for a wicked 60's gone Jetson's vibe tank/panel.

Carl.

A boomerang pattern would fit right in with Luke's earlier comments about the frame reminding him of a kangaroo!

 

[tjwilson]

Coming together awesome! Love the reinforcement, looks better with it than without it!
Under a month left, going to make the deadline?

Luke.

Thanks, I'm really liking it better with the added reinforcement too.

Deadline... there's a deadline!? Well, in the spirit of a bike never really being finished, maybe.

Feels like I've just now gotten the big picture of the frame's design dialed in. Actually I just have. I really enjoy getting into the finish prep, paint and final details. I wouldn't be able to do much of that by the deadline without it becoming work. I've been thinking a more realistic approach is to finish it off in bare metal. I have other wheels that fit a bare metal build better and have a coaster brake. This would save the time needed to add posts and sort out the v-brakes and cable routing required with the GT wheels. Still have some finish welding, a seat pan that needs modification and upholstering, forks that need the steering tube extended, etc, etc. Long answer, same as the short, maybe. But that would be a more enjoyable approach and goal. I'd always have the option of revisiting the finish details later after the deadline.

 

[LukeTheJoker]

Thanks, I'm really liking it better with the added reinforcement too.

Deadline... there's a deadline!? Well, in the spirit of a bike never really being finished, maybe.

Feels like I've just now gotten the big picture of the frame's design dialed in. Actually I just have. I really enjoy getting into the finish prep, paint and final details. I wouldn't be able to do much of that by the deadline without it becoming work. I've been thinking a more realistic approach is to finish it off in bare metal. I have other wheels that fit a bare metal build better and have a coaster brake. This would save the time needed to add posts and sort out the v-brakes and cable routing required with the GT wheels. Still have some finish welding, a seat pan that needs modification and upholstering, forks that need the steering tube extended, etc, etc. Long answer, same as the short, maybe. But that would be a more enjoyable approach and goal. I'd always have the option of revisiting the finish details later after the deadline.

Sounds perfect!
You could always finish it to the next level in the build-off which starts January 1 and allows previously started but unfinished builds to enter!

Luke.