New guy, build questions

[mplumb59]

First off I would like to say hey and that y'all's website is a great resource. I spent my teenage years riding a bmx/freestyle bike. As an adult I started riding mountain bikes then got into road bikes. My wife wanted a cruiser so we went to Wally World and bought a couple of cranbrooks. Well let's just say I can't leave anything stock and can become obsessed. I have some apes ordered and then came across another older huffy cantilever bike that I have started to modify. I will be doing a front springer and have been really thinking about a rear springer. Any thoughts, suggestions and pics would be greatly appreciated.

 

[dracothered]

Take a look at this build as it might give you some ideas on how to do it. It is a kids bike, but that doesn't mater.
16" Huffman
BUILD THREAD
FINISHED THREAD

 

[mplumb59]

Skimmed over thread. Great ideas. Thanks. I'll read it over later. That's about what I was thinking too, I'm just thinking about going with dual springs but the concepts the same.

 

[LukeTheJoker]

Welcome! Try a search for "Flexliner" by @kingfish254, he did a rear springer set up too.

Luke.

 

[kingfish254]

Welcome to RRB.
As Luke said, I did a 1939 Twin Flex inspired rear suspension for Flex-Liner 7 in build off 7 a couple of years ago. You can access the build and finished threads from my signature link below.
Look forward to seeing pics of your bikes. You should join the fun of Build Off #9 (BONINE) that starts May 1st.

 

[mplumb59]

Thanks for the advice. I've been checking out the flex liner. Pretty sweet. I'm gonna post some pics as soon as I figure out how too.

 

[mplumb59]

 

[mplumb59]

Trying to get this pic downloading figured out. I already cut the cantilever tubes and rolled the rear up to lower and welded everything back up. Wire wheeled the decals off and started roughing up the paint. Ground off the cable guides and chain guard brackets.

 

[dracothered]

Where did you cut the tubes at and bend it at? Also is the wheel in the back a different size?

 

[mplumb59]

I cut the two small cantilever tubes where they connect to the drop tube and the seat tube. I split the bottom of the chain stays right at the bb housing. I put a bolt across the rear drop outs and ratchet strapped from the bolt to the stem. Once I pulled it to where I wanted it I welded everything up and cut off the excess cantilever tubes where they protruded past the drop tube. I read this on the forum here somewhere but I don't think they split the bottom tubes. I figured it would bend easier and if I had to weld two more welds ain't gonna make much difference.

And yes it's a 24 wheel on rear 26 on front. There just some junk wheels, I wanted to see how it looks. I'm short and I'm kinda diggin the way it looks.

 

[dracothered]

Then this might give you some more ideas. It is also a Huffy frame and has a 24" up front and a 20" in the rear. Both tires are the Kenda Flames that are 24 x 3.0 & 20 x 3.0 tires.

Here is the build link, Ratted out Huffy.

 

[mplumb59]

Nice link and great looking bike, Love it. Fantastic ideas you guys have been giving me, Thanks a lot. I guess I blew the build off being I already cut and fabbed on the bike. Oh well, I actually have a 20' trike I thought about building for the build off but there is a bike festival here in Abita the Saturday before Fathers Day and I would like to have the Huffy complete so we'll see how that goes.

 

[dracothered]

Remember the build off is 3 months long...

 

[mplumb59]

I was curious on how the the build was for. I may just be able to build them both. My wife is likely to kill be, being I'm supposed to be building a bbq grill too. So many projects. So little time. Thanks for the info.