ORBO Racer MX

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Plenty of time to figure out the handlebars.

My BMX stem did not work for dimpling the seat stays. The tubes were too narrow. I just brute forced it with vice grips. Used a spanner on the outside to spread the force.

Certainly not elegant, but it worked.

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It took all the strength I had to squeeze the vice grips. If I build a custom tool, I will base it on the BMX stem or maybe a C-clamp. My vice grips are 8 inches. A larger pair would probably help.

The dimples caused the spacing between the dropouts to squeeze in about 20mm. I respaced the dropouts.

Still need to straighten the frame and cut the fork.

I will probably also wipe the frame and chain guard with BLO.

Luckily the kickstand is the perfect length for these wheels and tires. I was worried it would be too long.

The 2 speed kickback appears to be working great when I spin the cog by hand. Easily shifts between a direct drive and an under drive. I cannot wait to actually ride this thing.
 
I tried BLO on my Schwinn Racer (similar era to yours) for my '50 Skinny and Single' SWBO build the first year. Just on one chainstay. It never got 'unsticky' to the touch. I ended up just wiping it lightly with WD40 and that worked well for me.
I later learned that if you 'cut' the BLO to a 50/50 blend with mineral spirits or paint thinner, it goes on better and dries faster. FWIW
 
I have been using BLO on my Raleighs. I don’t measure, but I cut it roughly 1/3 BLO and 2/3 low odor mineral spirits. Seems to dry in a few days.

My concern is the Schwinn chain guard. I am worried about a 2/3 mineral spirits solution rubbing off the “Racer” letters. That is a big part of the look I want.

Maybe I should just use car wax.
 

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