Military bike for the wife

[Voodoosmile]

I started with a Huffy frame I had been building for myself but I started working on my stretched cruiser and never finished it. My wife like the frame and asked if i could do a military theme for her but in matte black instead of green.

This is a mock up of what I was going for.

I striped it down to get it ready for paint.

This is where it is at now

I found the saddle bag at the army surplus store and modified it to fit the bike. I also created the vinyl graphics for the fender and chain guard. I also changed the handle bars to lower ones.

Next up is to finish the tank plate and seat. I am thinking of using a seat from a Felt MP or recovering this seat in leather like my last bike. I also want to convert it to a 3 speed. We live close to the beach but there is a good size hill to climb to get there.

 

[Jkrate1985]

Need to get that 'tank' insert done that is in your rendition, I think that will bring it all tother!! Looking good- the amo can saddle bags in the rendition would have been sweet too but still like it- from a current military member.

 

[Voodoosmile]

Thanks Jkrate. I was going to use ammo cans but they were too bulky. This is going to be her regular rider so I didn't want to add the weight and these bags were a great find.

The tank plates are done. Now I just have to figure out how to attach them. I was thinking about plumbers strap or an old web belt in army green to match the bags

 

[kim_dude]

Cool build!

 

[Mope Head]

What seat is that? I've been looking for a brown seat with black springs...

 

[Voodoosmile]

Mope Head that is the seat that came with the bike. Take a look at Chubby's Cruisers site. They have a lot of seats that are brown with black springs.

 

[Mope Head]

Thanks!

 

[noodlenoggin]

Those saddlebags are cool. I went with the ammo can saddlebags on the bike my son and I built for RRBBO8:


DSCN0023 by sunliner500, on Flickr


DSCN0008 by sunliner500, on Flickr

They really don't add much weight, but they ride pretty low on this frame so it wouldn't be too noticeable if they did. They do make it a wide bike for storage and stuff, though. I think on your bike with them mounted up high on the rear rack, those soft bags look better than the cans would've.

Nice looking bike!

 

[Gary Mc]

Thanks Jkrate. I was going to use ammo cans but they were too bulky. This is going to be her regular rider so I didn't want to add the weight and these bags were a great find.

The tank plates are done. Now I just have to figure out how to attach them. I was thinking about plumbers strap or an old web belt in army green to match the bags

I really like the idea of old web belt in army green, now that would be different!!!!!!

 

[Voodoosmile]

Thanks for the comments. My wife is now leaning towards the ammo cans with bomber pinup art work on them. I want to be able to switch back and forth from the Ammo boxes and bags.

 

[Voodoosmile]

Ok I am going to call this one done.

I added a Nexus 3-speed wheel set and Felt military style seat. I repainted the tank plate to Army Green and use a web belt to attach it.

at some point i may add a pin up girl patch to the saddle bags but not any time soon. My wife is excited to take it out for a ride.

on to the next build. I am thinking about doing a Board Track style bike

 

[Gary Mc]

Came out great, I love it!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Machine Age Victim]

I love that saddle bag, let me know if you come across another!

I used ammo cases on my build viewtopic.php?f=21&t=73103

 

[Voodoosmile]

I love that saddle bag, let me know if you come across another!

I used ammo cases on my build <a href="http://www.ratrodbikes.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=73103" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="Link added by VigLink" class="vglnk"><span>http</span><span>://</span><span>www</span><span>.</span><span>ratrodbikes</span><span>.</span><span>com</span><span>/</span><span>forum</span><span>/</span><span>viewtopic</span><span>.</span><span>php</span><span>?</span><span>f</span><span>=</span><span>21</span><span>&</span><span>t</span><span>=</span><span>73103</span></a>

Machine Age
This is where I got the saddle bags. it is made for a motorcycle so I had to cut out about 5 inches in the middle and sew it back together to fit the rear rack correctly. I also added grommets and d-rings to help tie it down to the bike better. She rode to the store and loaded it with groceries with no problems.
http://www.majorsurplus.com/Saddle-Bag-P14674.aspx

I loved the look of what you and noodlenoggin did with the ammo cans but since she will be riding this regularly and we need it to fit on our bike rack I didn't want the extra bulk.