This is the first bike I've built from the frame up, so it's been an exciting journey for me.
Here is what I started with:
I picked this up from Joe (yeshoney), turns out he lives a couple towns over. I got to see his sweet collection first hand when I got this. Impressive lot of bikes.
I wanted a custom look, so I looked around for parts for my build, and my searches eventually led me to eBay. I know how some folks feel about ebay but I was able to find most of the parts I wanted for pretty cheap. It ended up turning into a sort of experiment, how much could I found for my project on ebay? And I like the idea that parts came from across the country.
The only problem was the waiting. I got impatient so I did a mockup with parts from a BMX bike found in the trash:
That looked ridiculous, so I did another mockup with the 24" wheel from my Spyder, the original saddle and front fender (as a rear fender) from my 26" Spaceliner, and mini-apes that I had on my Varsity:
That still looks ridiculous. Luckily the parts started to show up:
Handlebars from Fargo, ND. The ones with grips and a stem is from a Spyder (like the one I already have). The other pair are Wald and they are going on my girlfriend's lowrider, soon to be entered in the kid bike build off.
Chainguard from Toledo, OH. Originally from a Spyder as well (different year than mine). Keeping it in the Sears family.
Seat, Sissy Bar, and Chain from Tulare, CA. The only new parts I bought. The chain is chrome plated.
a pair of original Spaceliner 24s from Portland, IN.
another wheel from Paris, TX. 24x1 3/8 wheel with '64 Sturmey-Archer SC3 3-speed coaster hub.
another hub from Gallant, AL. a Shimano 3CC 3-speed coaster.
I don't know yet which hub and wheel to use. It depends on the shifter and tires I find. If I want to use anything besides the 1 3/8 wheel with SA hub, I'll have to have the wheel built by a pro, but might it be worth it if I have more tire options?
Anyone have any suggestions?
So with most of the parts, I was ready to do another mockup (still borrowing the front wheel from my Spyder):
the big picture:
I like the way this looks. Now I need to get it together.
Pedals are coming from the trashed BMX, and I found a 24" Spaceliner kickstand as well. I think I am going to need a 24" bobbed rear fender instead of trying to use the 26" front fender. And I am looking at a 3-speed stick shifter on ebay.
I still need to:
- figure out which rear hub and rim to use (and which tires)
- figure out how exactly to mount the sissy bar where there are no sissy bar eyelets.
- wire up a light and horn in the tank.
What do y'all think?
Here is what I started with:
I picked this up from Joe (yeshoney), turns out he lives a couple towns over. I got to see his sweet collection first hand when I got this. Impressive lot of bikes.
I wanted a custom look, so I looked around for parts for my build, and my searches eventually led me to eBay. I know how some folks feel about ebay but I was able to find most of the parts I wanted for pretty cheap. It ended up turning into a sort of experiment, how much could I found for my project on ebay? And I like the idea that parts came from across the country.
The only problem was the waiting. I got impatient so I did a mockup with parts from a BMX bike found in the trash:
That looked ridiculous, so I did another mockup with the 24" wheel from my Spyder, the original saddle and front fender (as a rear fender) from my 26" Spaceliner, and mini-apes that I had on my Varsity:
That still looks ridiculous. Luckily the parts started to show up:
Handlebars from Fargo, ND. The ones with grips and a stem is from a Spyder (like the one I already have). The other pair are Wald and they are going on my girlfriend's lowrider, soon to be entered in the kid bike build off.
Chainguard from Toledo, OH. Originally from a Spyder as well (different year than mine). Keeping it in the Sears family.
Seat, Sissy Bar, and Chain from Tulare, CA. The only new parts I bought. The chain is chrome plated.
a pair of original Spaceliner 24s from Portland, IN.
another wheel from Paris, TX. 24x1 3/8 wheel with '64 Sturmey-Archer SC3 3-speed coaster hub.
another hub from Gallant, AL. a Shimano 3CC 3-speed coaster.
I don't know yet which hub and wheel to use. It depends on the shifter and tires I find. If I want to use anything besides the 1 3/8 wheel with SA hub, I'll have to have the wheel built by a pro, but might it be worth it if I have more tire options?
Anyone have any suggestions?
So with most of the parts, I was ready to do another mockup (still borrowing the front wheel from my Spyder):
the big picture:
I like the way this looks. Now I need to get it together.
Pedals are coming from the trashed BMX, and I found a 24" Spaceliner kickstand as well. I think I am going to need a 24" bobbed rear fender instead of trying to use the 26" front fender. And I am looking at a 3-speed stick shifter on ebay.
I still need to:
- figure out which rear hub and rim to use (and which tires)
- figure out how exactly to mount the sissy bar where there are no sissy bar eyelets.
- wire up a light and horn in the tank.
What do y'all think?
