Rust Never Sleeps

[GuitarlCarl]

I put it back together today and I've got a tweak or two to do. The seat will be coming down some more. Getting on and off is a major hassle with the sissy bar so I've got some pieces to splice a short bar together without touching this one. Probably tomorrow... But it's a roller!

I'm also thinking a spring from a Bigsby vibrato might work on the swing pin. Wouldn't be my first bike with guitar parts on it and if it fits there's a bit of chrome bling too. Bring in the doodads!

GC.

 

[Tallbikeman]

If you were to string guitar strings from each side of each fork back and forth from front to back fork and incorporate a string stimulator device of some sort then you could play your bike as you ride it. Turning the steering wheel or rear steer would tension or detension the strings. Probably electric pickups and a portable battery powered amp would help get the message out. This would give true meaning to the Bigsby spring. I might need to cut back on morning coffee.

 

[GuitarlCarl]

If you were to string guitar strings from each side of each fork back and forth from front to back fork and incorporate a string stimulator device of some sort then you could play your bike as you ride it. Turning the steering wheel or rear steer would tension or detension the strings. Probably electric pickups and a portable battery powered amp would help get the message out. This would give true meaning to the Bigsby spring. I might need to cut back on morning coffee.

I have found it much easier to put the amp in the tank and just bring a guitar along. Can't say I've ever played while riding, but I do have the ability to jam out at long stoplights or RR crossings... yeah I'm into the coffee as well.

GC.
I rebuilt this guitar as well from the husk of a '61 Epiphone Olympic.

 

[Mr. Monkeyarms]

If you were to string guitar strings from each side of each fork back and forth from front to back fork and incorporate a string stimulator device of some sort then you could play your bike as you ride it. Turning the steering wheel or rear steer would tension or detension the strings. Probably electric pickups and a portable battery powered amp would help get the message out. This would give true meaning to the Bigsby spring. I might need to cut back on morning coffee.

Envisioning this idea, it would become the ultimate Whammy bar!

 

[JA331]

Build a generator incorporating one of the bike’s wheels to power a small tube amp and a couple of effect pedals……i’m on my second espresso.

 

[Tallbikeman]

View attachment 186336
I have found it much easier to put the amp in the tank and just bring a guitar along. Can't say I've ever played while riding, but I do have the ability to jam out at long stoplights or RR crossings... yeah I'm into the coffee as well.

GC.
I rebuilt this guitar as well from the husk of a '61 Epiphone Olympic.

What a bike. Very nice work on the bike. Jammin' Busker? Breezin Busker? Busking Biker? Dive Bomb Busking? Trying out act names whilst astride this steed. Great handle on the guitar. This is really a nice rig. Nowadays I play outside, usually in public parks with my Jammin' friends. I live in Sacramento area of N. Cal and we are playing almost every week. Every once in a while the weather turns cold or rainy or both but not for long.

 

[GuitarlCarl]

Very cool @Tallbikeman that bike is called "Rockin' Rollfast" and I wrapped the tank in tweed! It has a little Fender battery powered amp in it that I swapped in a bigger speaker from a flat screen tv. I've been thinking about upgrading it, there's pretty nice mini amps available now with Bluetooth and all. It has played at local parks and a couple of bike shows in Chicago.

Did you know that I am a guitar repair tech? I've got a few years in, my grandfather got me started when I was 14. I tinkered for years and in my semi-retirement I've gotten serious about it, working at a mom n' pop store. I love rewiring, hotrod and custom designing the controls in electric guitars, I also do level and crowns, refrets if needed. I'm also the lead singer and rhythm guitarist in a praise band called Crossfire.

Carl.

 

[sdframe]

It's looking real good!

 

[kingfish254]

I really like how this is turning out!

 

[GuitarlCarl]

Cut down sissy bar allows me to escape. I'm sure there will be a learning curve with this thing.

GC.

 

[MattiThundrrr]

Is it icy in your town? I really want ride shots/videos on this one. Never seen a swing bike in person

 

[kingfish254]

View attachment 186646
Cut down sissy bar allows me to escape. I'm sure there will be a learning curve with this thing.

GC.

There is a learning curve, but not too bad. I scored a homemade swinger a year or so ago and after a few test runs up and down the lane, I was fine. Rode it around town for hours. Mine didn't have the dampening spring either, so I had to use stomach and back muscles to keep everything rolling generally forward.

 

[GuitarlCarl]

Is it icy in your town? I really want ride shots/videos on this one. Never seen a swing bike in person

Sometimes... Me neither. I'll see if I can find a camera person...

Carl.

 

[SwissGuy]

There is a learning curve, but not too bad. I scored a homemade swinger a year or so ago and after a few test runs up and down the lane, I was fine. Rode it around town for hours. Mine didn't have the dampening spring either, so I had to use stomach and back muscles to keep everything rolling generally forward.

Been there, done that and it was big fun!
Some 30+ years ago there was a bike shop in the next village that had some homemade "fun bikes" like off center wheeled ones and also simple swing bikes. I could try one for a few days and have wanted one ever since...
At some point I will simply have to build one on my own...

 

[GuitarlCarl]

A bit of red Sharpie to bring the head badge back to life and an SA shifter I've had stashed for a while. The zip tied side is busted, but I could make the closer side work as it is a 3 speed. Maybe. I have to find one connector bit for the indicator chain... I could post it now she's able to ride.

Carl.

 

[RustyGold]

Three days remaining! Finished threads are up!

 

[GuitarlCarl]

Fought with mismatched pieces for a few hours in a cold garage. It's 99.9% but my indicator chain doesn't connect to my shifter cable. It looks good, rides fine just stuck in the gear I'll be spending most big of the time in anyway. Could steal a connector from a bike in my other garage. So tomorrow I'll be visiting the boneyard to find a kickstand and maybe I'll knick a connector and nicer indicator chain/rod. I am liking the shifter.

GC.

 

[GuitarlCarl]

Ok so it began with a couple of pics in the yard. Then I was going to the other garage. Ah, nope. Battery issues. Hey it's Monday.

Carl.

 

[GuitarlCarl]

About 3 minutes after I took these pics some fool almost hit me with his car. I slammed my brakes, hit the curb at an angle and broke the main weld holding the rear fork tube together. Now my welds ain't pretty but they're usually strong. Well it was hanging on but you couldn't ride it. Less than a block from home, the bank where I shot the pics is only across the street. So I took it apart. Ground everything down and welded a different tube on to the rear section. I'll finish putting it back together in the morning.

GC.

 

[RustyGold]

Stay safe, Carl...I knew build offs are serious business, I didn't know that included attempted 'hits' .