New Aussie Thing Finished (New pics)

[bean]

I just finished my latest bike today. I start at a new school in a couple of weeks so it's going to be my ride to work bike. I've had a 55 mile round trip for the last four years (a hundred bucks a week for fuel ) , but the new job is only a 5 minute bike ride 8) .

There's still a couple of things I want to do to it (are they ever finished?), like get a coaster wheel laced up so I can get rid of the cable/lever for a cleaner look. Buying a coaster wheel here in Oz is nearly impossible if you want something bigger than a 20".

I was originally going to build this as a boardtracker, but it didn't look right with different size tube and the angle of the top tube, then i decided on a klunker/bomber style - hence the Maxxis Holy Rollers, but I couldn't get any bars locally that I liked, so I flipped and cut the original bars and I think it will stay like this for a while. I'm 5'6", so it's pretty comfy for me to ride. I put 10 miles on it already today and it rides really well.

When I got it from the dump:

Now:

My first attempt at scallops (I'm gonna swap the cable ties for clear ones until I get the coaster wheel made up):

 

[bean]

Re: New Aussie Thing

After looking at the pictures again, I think I'll fit a set of Moto style bars to see what they look like.
Is it just me or do some bikes look different in pics than they do when they are in front of you?

Mmmmm, replying to my own post. I think I need sleep :? .

 

[KOTA]

Re: New Aussie Thing

After looking at the pictures again, I think I'll fit a set of Moto style bars to see what they look like.
Is it just me or do some bikes look different in pics than they do when they are in front of you?

Mmmmm, replying to my own post. Ithink I need sleep :? .

Bike looks GREAT!

 

[aka_locojoe]

Re: New Aussie Thing

Nice job.

 

[Markm]

Re: New Aussie Thing

cool!!! :mrgreen:

 

[maddogrider]

Re: New Aussie Thing

I like it nice job :wink:

 

[blink]

Re: New Aussie Thing

nice! i want!

 

[blacksheep]

Re: New Aussie Thing

Is it just me or do some bikes look different in pics than they do when they are in front of you?

It's NOT just you. :lol: I was just saying the same thing to my dad when I gave him a ride this morning. The Murray wannabe klunker I just put together just doesn't look the same in pics. Got me??

 

[kingpin]

Re: New Aussie Thing

awesome looking bike mate. u have inspired me to make a urban commuter...or finish one i have started...

 

[iRide Custom Bicycles]

Re: New Aussie Thing

Great bike and the color combo is fantastic!

 

[user 3630]

Re: New Aussie Thing

awesome looking bike mate. u have inspired me to make a urban commuter...or finish one i have started...

+1

I have been plotting and planning my UrBane commuter for a while. I live in a hilly area, so although it would be nice to ditch the freewheel and derailleurs, I gotta have a gear selection if I want the bike to be good for errands too. Lookin at Sturmey-Archer hub now.

Bean- I really like where your bike is going, and it helps to motivate me as well. Looking forward to see where it's going.

 

[bean]

Re: New Aussie Thing

Thanks for the positive comments.

I put another 5 miles or so on it yesterday. It's pretty flat where I ride so the 36/16 gearing works pretty good. I also re-routed the brake cable to the middle bar and used some clear cable ties, so it looks a lot cleaner (still gotta get a coaster brake so I can get rid of the cable though).
I went to my LBS yesterday and when I came out, there were a couple of youths checking out the bike and they asked the usual questions when I unlocked it like, "What brand of bike is that?", "Where did you get it?", "Are those 2.2 or 2.4 Holy Rollers?" They thought it was a pretty cool bike, so I told them to check out RatRodBikes.com where they'd find cooler bikes than mine, so hopefully they'll check out the site.
After I get settled in to my new school, I'm going to try and organize some type of bike building club/group, so maybe I can get a few more RatRods in town 8).

Now..................what to build next?

 

[Jetro]

Re: New Aussie Thing

Do a Mixte - I have been waiting for someone else to build one in Aus, or anywhere accually!!!

 

[roadmaster]

Re: New Aussie Thing

always goes to show that for what the aussies lack in american cantilever cruiser frames, they definatly make up with their creativness and original ideas. very nice build, and nice scallops.

 

[Uncle Stretch]

Re: New Aussie Thing

Ebay usually has those cable holders that are silver and all engraved that really look good . Bike is nice. It looks fast sitting there. :lol:

 

[bean]

Re: New Aussie Thing

Ebay usually has those cable holders that are silver and all engraved that really look good . Bike is nice. It looks fast sitting there. :lol:

Thanks Uncle Stretch. I was chasing some of those but couldn't get any locally. The good news is my LBS told me yesterday they found a supplier of 26" alloy rim coaster wheels, so I've got a couple on the way and they are less than half the cost of having one made up (from new components).

 

[crackedpiston]

Re: New Aussie Thing

Nice unit man. It's a shame it's so hard to find good parts round these parts, there's alot of blokes who WANT to do something cool, but because of availability and/or cost, the dream never gets realised. I do envy our Yankee cousins in that sense.

What part of Oz ya from???

 

[crackedpiston]

Re: New Aussie Thing

Sorry dude, you've already told me ya from Queensie in another topic. .......

Still a rockin' bike though!

 

[bean]

Well I've almost given up on trying to buy a 26" alloy rim coaster hub wheel in Australia.
My LBS could only find steel rimmed ones, getting one built is gonna cost around $150AU,
and I'm way too busy at the moment to learn to lace one myself. I don't want to spend any more on this bike, so I decided to run the brake cable inside the frame to clean it up a little.
I have put a lot of miles on this bike and it's still my favorite.

It's done!!

 

[rgallen]

Cable inside the tube (now you're talking clean). Some older model steel pedals and you're set. Looks GREAT