My First Build (1983 Schwinn Cruiser)

[TheWolvesIam]

Hey fellas, new member here. Here's a thread dedicated to my first build, named Sasha. Its an authentic Schwinn frame built April 1983, with several other miscellaneous parts, mostly Schwinn from different eras.
Personally, I love the whole DIY spirit of rat rods and applying it to cruisers is awesome. Im not finished yet with mine, but I wanna share some progress shots...


Here's the frame when I first bought it. The original color was red, but some moron used industrial blue paint over the original coat.

My neighbor/friend luckily helped me strip as much of that blue crap off as we could.

My original idea was to just throw a clear coat over the bare frame, but unfortunately after days of sanding and chemicals we couldnt get all the blue crap off. So I painted a matte black coat over it.

Upon research I figured out that the frame is an April 1983 frame, the forks are pre-1983, and the Schwinn badge is pre-1970's.

Here it is about half way completed. Wheels are aftermarket, obviously.

I now just today acquired nearly all the rest of the parts needed. I am however making a completely custom seat so that'll take some time. I also plan on adding some other things.

Thanks for checking this stuff out.

 

[heartlandcruisers]

welcome aboard thewolvesiam
i too like the diy attitudes of rat rodding and a glad to have found this site
be sure to check out and post a lil about yourself in the intros section of the forums


looks like you are off to a great start there
the matte black and red wheels looks excellent on the cruiser frames
keep us informed it looks to be a sweet build
Sean

 

[TheWolvesIam]

Thanks man.

More progress on Sasha...

 

[heartlandcruisers]

amazing bike dude
i did the flat black/red wheels on my 56 Schwinn build.
i love that look it speaks rat rod
Sean

 

[LukeTheJoker]

Looks good!
Really looking forward to seeing the custom seat!

Luke.

 

[TheWolvesIam]

Thanks fellas.
Yeah the seat is in the works. Its gonna be different thats for sure.

 

[LukeTheJoker]

Yeah the seat is in the works. Its gonna be different thats for sure.

Sounds perfect!

Luke.

 

[TheWolvesIam]

Finished. I just need to finish my seat but a stock one works for now.

 

[LukeTheJoker]

Looks nice with the chainguard back on!

Luke.

 

[inskeep]

I'm also new. I'm new to the whole bike sense.. but I really like the colors you got on the bike. Really makes it look good.

Cheyenne

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I537 using Tapatalk

 

[TheWolvesIam]

Thanks. Heres some more...

And one next to my lady's bike I recently purchased for her.

 

[VinnyR]

Cool bike. Cant beat flat black red rims and white walls

 

[noodlenoggin]

Cool bike. Cant beat flat black red rims and white walls

Exactly what I was going to say. Classic rat rod colors since I don't know when -- has staying power for a reason.

 

[Endlesschain]

nice and clean,diggin it

 

[cherrydeuce]

Just have to pile on with props for doin the hot rod traditional theme, way to go. You must get thumbs up everywhere you cruise her from rodders.

 

[dave32]

Hey Brother,

Love your build. I too have a red 1983 cruiser (I'm the second owner). I'm trying to find a seat and was hoping you could help me. What you did with the seat offset is simply killer. How did you get the seat to end up a few inches in back of the seat post? I was trying to do the same thing and was thinking about finding a welder to fabricate it. Is that something that can be bought off the shelf? If not, would you be willing to help me figure out how to build it? Also, where did you get your seat. Thanks a bunch for any help you can provide. Dave