new guy with new build pics and lots of dumb questions

Squablow · May 30, 2012

Glad I found this site, I have some pics of a bike I'm putting together and a lot of really dumb questions that I should already know the answer to. I'm new, so please be gentle.

First off, we'll start with some pics. I've been saving parts to cobble up a vintage bike for a while. After going through a few different frames, I decided to build this one, which I got from a friend's field for $10. Here it is, the day I got it.

I basically stuck all the parts I had onto it to get an idea of what it would look like and make it functional, and I ended up with this. It's a Schwinn frame with Monark fenders and a tank that's believed to be from a Ross, the rest of it is just random stuff I found.

I liked it, but the more I looked at it, the more I thought it looks like something an old lady would put in her garden with flowers planted all around it. So after looking through the huge gallery here (some really fantastic pics, by the way), I decided to try it with a set of flipped bars, dropped headlight, no basket, and I cut up a seat post to set the seat further back. Now it looks like this

The basket and high bars are a bit more comfortable and would be useful but not as racy looking, I think I'll keep the parts so I can swap back and forth. I only plan to use this bike for vintage bike rides and to get around at car shows. Sometimes a basket would be handy, and some times I won't need it and would prefer the less dorky version.

Now for my dumb questions. One, this has the type of brake where you pedal backwards (Is that a "coaster brake", or is there a different term?) and it works but not very well. I was told to fill that rear axle with motor oil and not to use grease, and that would make the brake work better. Is that true, or is there some adjustment? I'm new and I honestly have no idea.

Second, I'd like a different fork, maybe a springer or something with truss rods. Wondering how interchangeable they are (is there a ton of different sizes, or will most work on my frame?) and also what to look for. I like the mechanical looking ones, but I'd really like to keep my current front fender skirts and headlight position, I'd hate to mess those up with the wrong fork.

Last, my seat seems a bit too modern for the bike, and my offset seat post is pretty obviously home made. If anyone could suggest a seat that'd fit the style of this bike better (not even sure what the style of bike would be called) and where I might find a cleaner looking offset seat post, I'm all ears.

Thanks in advance.

Henry morgan · May 30, 2012

search the how to section.. and the builds .. lots of ideas there... you have a very nice start..
that fender is out of place.. I would try an x53 front on it.. looks good

roadmaster · May 30, 2012

That is one funky ride my friend, but I like the log slung look ok it. Like where you were going with the fender skirts, i'd just finish filling the front one and filling the rear either to the seat stay or all the way around. Then id do it up in either a primer black or primer grey just to get it all one color. That would help tie it all together, unless you diggin on the patina, which is very worth keeping if thats your thing.

I was face with having to move the seat back on my 79 Huffy when I flipped its bars over and turned it into a fixie and not a bad job for homemade. I am not a big fan of the whole hunched down position and if it wasnt for the fact this bike was built specifically to be a boardtrack racer style, I would save the racing riding position for the racing bikes, cuz cruiser tires only roll so fast. In the end, riding position or style should be what ever YOU prefer and not what looks cool or other people tell you to run (but it does look cool in this case).

I am a big fan of the vintage headlight look and I think is almost nescesary for a bike this style. Sounds like you have some cool ideas, especially the springer fork idea. I would try to find a pre mid 50's fork as I find they have more of a mechanical look to them then just your later style "springer" fork. The earlier, the cooler as bicycle companies back then were trying alot of different styles and bigger springs. As for your coaster brake question, asuming the wheel is out of the bike, you ought to be able to spin it and it roll freely. If the axle can't spin freely, loosen with cone wrenches untill wheel spins but does not have any slop or freeplay in the bearings. If the coaster brake hub has an oil fitting on it, then put in a little bit. Oil hubs may spin easier but I still prefer a grease packed coaster for reliability and heat protection. Generally, older style coaster brake hubs like yours used a dics pack instead of two or four little "shoes" that are more common and replaced the older style for most all bikes sold after the mid to late 60's. These disc pack (like a pack of washers) brakes didn't have the mechanical advantage modern coaster brakes have, therefor having a weaker feel when applyed. My 65' hawthorne and 62 Ross have this style of disc pack brakes and they are trickier to rebuild than today's conventional coasters.

Hope my rambling have helped you out and good luck with your build. 8)

aka_locojoe · May 30, 2012

Welcome. That looks really cool as is! If it were mine I'd flip the bars upright though.
Maybe you can come up with some cool panniers to hang over your rear rack for hauling stuff. Or a simpler basket that just hooks over the bars and easily removed.
Saddle doesn't look bad. Might be better saddles but they wouldn't have the matching patina this one does.
I like the fork that's on it.
Have you thought about making the fender light functional? Then you can make the bullet headlight a tail light. Cover lens with red repair tape and mount under rear rack.

dogdart · May 30, 2012

You could probably sell the front fender /Trainlight for enough to buy a springer . Cool looking bike either way . You should join in on the Build Off

Squablow · Jul 27, 2012

So after a really good swap meet and lots of research and good advice here on the board, I think I've settled on this as my final setup.

I redid some of the paint on the fenders to make them match the frame better, and I fixed the front wheel that matched my rear so I didn't have to run that crusty red rim. I got my brake working better, made an offset seat post, swapped to taller bars (much more comfortable) and ended up finding a set of truss rods to add to my fork, which look nice and don't interfere with the fender skirt.

I also scored a chain guard that matches my fenders better and a seat that I think looks more correct, with a checkerboard pattern added using vinyl dye.

Here's pics

I also have one of those round "sports" speedometers with the crossed flags on the face that I'd like to run, it works but it was rubbing/squeaking and I don't think I had it shimmed right or soemthing, anyone know what the best way to set one of those up is?