Rapid Transit System / (was) Fast Bracket - Class 2

[MONARKofSoCal]

I want to make a nice rider that is customized but not so overly done
So I am starting with this aluminum Magna oasis frame

Dirt cheep and looks like a schwinn fast back

 

[MONARKofSoCal]

Pulled off some parts from previous builds

Fork is aluminum
Rear tire is 700 deep v with a 700 x 1.35 slick tire
and a modern 2 speed kickback

The lettering was made using reflective tape but I will be redoing it in white reflective tape
and a different goodyear letter template

 

[LukeTheJoker]

Cool!

 

[Indyjps]

Hmmm, interesting. Slowly revealing the plan....
I didn't realized Magna made alum frames, maybe I need to watch them closer in the sale ads.

 

[RustyGold]

Hmmm, interesting. Slowly revealing the plan....
I didn't realized Magna made alum frames, maybe I need to watch them closer in the sale ads.

...with horizontal dropouts...I'm in shock...

Jason

 

[MONARKofSoCal]

Not much to report
spent most of the time trying to determine if I want ape hangers with a small seat
or straight mtn bike bars (drag bar look) with a banana seat

I did however remove the old rubber paint and yellow reflective stickers
and sprayed on a new coat of rubber paint

When I last did this I had cut out the reflective stickers first
then sprayed the rubber paint around them
but the paint bleed a little into the reflective part

So this time rubber paint first
THEN apply the white reflective stickers

Now should I stick with the goodyear eagle script maybe do Hoosier
or another script for the drag tire look

 

[Muttley]

Now should I stick with the Goodyear Eagle script maybe do Hoosier..........

If you're looking for vintage go with M & H or M/T.

If you're interested in another batch of inspiration click this link to see scans of my water-slide decals collection.

 

[bikebuilder]

I personally like the Hoosier font best but any choice will be fantastic!

 

[MONARKofSoCal]

I had not done much to "fast bracket" knowing in mid November I will have a week off in which to work on the bike

So until then I was looking up postings on offerup
apparently it is the new place to find deals rather than craigslist

When I stumbled upon this add

It was cheep so I bought it and brought it home to find out more

Turns out the frame is a GT Rapid transit
but all the good parts (7 speed internal hub with roller brakes) where long gone

Other than a neat looking frame and a springer fork
The rest of the bike was a real Frankenstein's Monster

 

[MONARKofSoCal]

when I mocked up the frame with a banana seat I knew I had something

and it already had a name that was close to the old Plymouth muscle cars

So I will be putting Fast bracket back in the pits and making Rapid Transit System my new entry

mockup photo

 

[MONARKofSoCal]

Also I took this picture at a recent car show
I thought it was appropriate

Banana, Seat

 

[Chad T]

That frame looks cool with the nanner on it. Nice stagger on the wheels too.

 

[MONARKofSoCal]

Finally have a week where i can do some fabricating and mock ups for RTS (rapid transit system)

First I was able to find a suspension fort that fit (just barely)
now I can go for more of a cafe racer look which I feel more suits the frame more than a traditional muscle bike look

Dug this gt spider out of storage along with a chainring that works with the lines (For the most part)

But since this requires an american bottom bracket crank or a bmx three piece crank
I had to go on offerup and score some cheap bmx euro bottom end bearings
most are 19mm and one is a 22mm

still need the actual cranks and shaft
but hey its a start

 

[MONARKofSoCal]

I wanted to use the banana seat without the typical straight sissy bar
since the frame has so many nice curves
What I ended coming up with was modifying a 20" springer to make a somewhat floating seat

Close Up

I drilled a hole all the way through
where the 2 top rear bars are connected by a horizontal tube
to attach the base of the seat support

the middle hole i use to attach the brace bars

the part that attaches to the seat i drilled a hole at the pinch point

all the parts that i modified

It seems to support the weight well enough
but I have a contingency plan using a 26" springer if this fails

 

[MONARKofSoCal]

Finally (after almost 2 weeks) I was able to get the bmx euro adapters plus the 19mm spindle and cranks installed on Rapid Transit System
Turns out whoever frankenstined this bike the first time managed to do a number on the bb
I was starting to be afraid that I wouldn't be able to install any type of cranks on this
and end just up with an adult strider

 

[MONARKofSoCal]

Now that the holiday was over it is time to paint the frame
I think I will just go with the self etching primer spray can gray
Now that I plan to sell Rapid Transit System (let the new buyer pick his own color)

Photo before I disassemble to paint the frame

there are no hbars on it yet
I realized over the weekend that a set of clubman style bars would fit the overall look of the bike
Now I need to see if i can pick up a cheep set before the end of this buildoff

BTW If anyone is curious why I am selling
it is mainly due to recently acquiring a new long term project

http://www.ratrodbikes.com/forum/index.php?threads/hang-on.105211/

So I would like the extra space and money
plus I found I do not actually like 2 speed kickback hubs
I seem to prefer the 2 speeds that are shift actuated

 

[MONARKofSoCal]

I got lucky and found some 1" clubman bars that where cheap and fairly close to my location
Unfortunately after trying them in both orientations on the bike
I decided that I need to find other bars
Looks like they will be used on another build

just

Doesn't

Look

Right

 

[CRASH]

I see what you're saying. Those bars have the sharp angle, where they frame has more of a smooth flow to it.

I'm just tossing an idea out last second, but maybe a low-rise ape hanger in black?

 

[MONARKofSoCal]

I see what you're saying. Those bars have the sharp angle, where they frame has more of a smooth flow to it.

I'm just tossing an idea out last second, but maybe a low-rise ape hanger in black?

CRASH

The straight ends of the bars (against the frames curves) are actually what is bugging me most

I am going to stop at the local co-op and see what they have available
as for low rise ape bars I can try the chrome ones I have (do not have any in black) after I reassemble the bike

There is a possible backup set I also what to try
The problem with this bike is that the frame is so unusual that I think it needs unusual looking bars to go with it

I wish I had time currently to hunt down cheap
GT pretzel bars

or time to order and have shiped

Ruff bent ape hangers

and try either of them on the bike

 

[CRASH]

Those would be cool!