Poor Man’s Manta Ray

[Jude Ephesus]

Well… I got a lot of bikes to build (and hopefully sell) this summer!!!! Let’s get it started!

Here’s #1 for 2023: 24” speedster camelback

Nothing huge going down on this thing:

a lot of people look down their noses at 24” bikes: I do enjoy casual evening rides down to the lake on a 24” bike. I regret selling ‘the Schwinn no one wanted’ so I picked up this guy!

We’ll build it, enjoy it and see what happens !!!!

The bike is really in good shape: 100% complete and beautiful patina: both wheels don’t spin too well, but some carb cleaner and lube and this guy will be good!!!

So, here’s the plan for this guy;
Wash
Fresh tires
Bobbed fenders
BLO
‘Naner seat
Apes
Lube, tune and roll!!!

 

[Jude Ephesus]

Wash done!!!!!

-gave it a good soaking in degreaser, then took down to the local coin operated car wash and blasted it!!!!

 

[ingola]

Those speedsters are so cool so many options to customize and all look cool

 

[Lowe Beau]

Curved top tubes just add a certain oomph to the overall profile of a bike. Like a powerful panther preparing to pounce. If I were to ever trade my beloved Racer it would indeed be for a Speedster only. Excellent acquisition. I would say have fun with whatever way you choose to in modifying this bike but I’m certain that you will and it will be tastefully done.

 

[ingola]

Sure does a two or three of these Raleigh Colts I've been wanting to do something with.

 

[Jude Ephesus]

View attachment 224831
Sure does a two or three of these Raleigh Colts I've been wanting to do something with.

That’s a beautiful bike as-is!

 

[ingola]

That’s a beautiful bike as-is!

I have a few of them a green one and a small one called a space rider, and a Mountie(available only in Canada)

 

[Lowe Beau]

View attachment 224831
Sure does a two or three of these Raleigh Colts I've been wanting to do something with.

Oh the impossibilities….

 

[Jude Ephesus]

Tear down complete.

Bike came apart super easy

Put the banana seat and apes into the parts pile.

I’ll do a detailed cleaning and lube before BLO and reassembly.

 

[Jude Ephesus]

It is February in upstate NY

 

[ingola]

Feb in eastern Ontario looks like you got a little less than us

 

[Jude Ephesus]

we had a few really nice days if weather; I was in denial and thought the groundhog was wrong.

I moved this guy in house to complete the build:

 

[Jude Ephesus]

Look what I found back in my outdoor workbench!!!!

I’m not sure if it’s Schwinn, but it looks a lot more like a manta ray chainring than what’s on it now!

 

[ingola]

we had a few really nice days if weather; I was in denial and thought the groundhog was wrong.

I moved this guy in house to complete the build:
View attachment 225293 View attachment 225292

Us too was so nice roads were clear could wear just a jacket and pants. That's the peanut line I was telling you about. Take it everyday to work.

 

[Jude Ephesus]

View attachment 225289
Feb in eastern Ontario looks like you got a little less than us

the bike is under an over hang, so, can’t see much: we only got like 4-5 inches now, but it’s not letting up.

In the big picture, we’re way ahead as I only think we have 40” YTD.

 

[Jude Ephesus]

Nice little snow:

My garden table, fire pit and bunny feeder:

 

[MattiThundrrr]

we had a few really nice days if weather; I was in denial and thought the groundhog was wrong

Haha you fell for it...

 

[Captain Awesome]

Haha you fell for it...View attachment 225341

We have........

"Winter"
Dead lawn
Pollen season
More pollen
Clover season
Hot
Hot
Hot
"Fall" where all leaves come down and disappear in one week
Back to "winter"

 

[MattiThundrrr]

We have........

"Winter"
Dead lawn
Pollen season
More pollen
Clover season
Hot
Hot
Hot
"Fall" where all leaves come down and disappear in one week
Back to "winter"

You can't believe how tough "mud season" is. Sun is out, trees are green, birds are chirping, flowers are blooming, trails are completely unrideable

 

[Jude Ephesus]

Haha you fell for it...View attachment 225341

TRU-DAT!!!!