My new Chief now goes clickity clickity

[RatRodDad]

I ordered a new Firmstrong Chief from one of the online bike sales places and I got it last weekend. I threw it together to see how it looked and rode. It does ride nice with the pedals and crank being forward of the seat post.

I paid an extra $30 and got the fender package for it since I wanted to be able to ride it on wet streets or through puddles without getting a wet back.

It came with a cheesy kick stand, so I swapped that out for an aluminum one I had laying around.

Today I got busy and stole the 3 speed Nexus from my Caloi cruiser and put that on the Chief. The only issue I have is that the frame on the Chief is about 3 inches longer than my Caloi - so the shift cable is too short. It works okay as long as I don't try to make any tight left turns!!

Here's the Chief after I put it together and removed the stickers.

Here's a shot showing the positioning of the crank versus the seat post.

And here are a few shots after my 3 speed swap.

 

[Firewalker]

that looks great! love the top tube!

you should look into a suicide shift :wink:

 

[Markm]

stickshifters at mostlymusclebikes.com !!!!!!

 

[Rat Rod]

It does look cool...just needs some pinstriping. :wink:

 

[RatRodDad]

Yeah, I was wondering how I could get it up to Dallas in case Chadillac came back to town, haha.

Another option might be to tape off and paint some scollops on the fenders or neck - similar to your Moto 7 or the Del Sol. Just something to break up the black a little.

I'm happy with the way it turned out, though, and putting the 3 speed rear end on it was pretty easy - other then needing a little longer shifter cable for it. I will get one sometime and fix that too.

 

[fast eddie]

that looks clean man, good lookin bike
fast eddie outty

 

[RatRodDad]

Thanks, Eddie. I'm pretty happy with the way it turned out - and the way it rides too.

About the only thing I might change on it is the front sprocket. The one that's on it is pretty plain, so I may swap that out for something a little more exciting looking.

Otherwise, though, I like it.