Progress. Almost done with the bee (externally).
TRADITIONAL SHAOLIN SPITFIRE (Wu Tang Forever)
- Thread starter BobbyStillz
- Start date
Help Support Rat Rod Bikes Bicycle Forum:
Took a photo before heading to work to digest progress so far, and tasks at hand.
Looks like I'm down to the following:
- Mounting license plate to rear wheel
- Re-attach microphone screens to handlebars (threading has been trimmed)
- Incorporate Buddha charms in some way?
- Paint the 'Schwinn Spitfire' lettering on front tire
- Modify and mount headbadge
- Mount headlight
- Finish editing Schwinn font for custom decal?
- Finish mounting bracket on bee
- Incorporate electrical inside bee
- Film ride video and shoot final pics
It's looking a bit of alright.
Looks like I'm down to the following:
- Mounting license plate to rear wheel
- Re-attach microphone screens to handlebars (threading has been trimmed)
- Incorporate Buddha charms in some way?
- Paint the 'Schwinn Spitfire' lettering on front tire
- Modify and mount headbadge
- Mount headlight
- Finish editing Schwinn font for custom decal?
- Finish mounting bracket on bee
- Incorporate electrical inside bee
- Film ride video and shoot final pics
It's looking a bit of alright.
- Joined
- May 9, 2020
- Messages
- 1,360
- Reaction score
- 5,236
HERE WE GO!
Last edited:
Used a dremel to start the outline. Don't want to cut all the way through, initially, so I have something to hold onto.
After I made a solid groove around the outline, I used tin snips to cut it out. The groove makes an easier breakaway so the tin snips don't crimp the logo.
Then I used an engraver to start carving the finer details of the outline.
Once that outline was dialed in, I brought out the files to start molding the edges. Again, by using the engraver first, it makes filing the excess off very light work. Minimal effort is used, which saves you from potentially filing off too much.
Finally, I took a small hacksaw blade in order to pick out the last bits inside all the corners and loops. Voila!
After I made a solid groove around the outline, I used tin snips to cut it out. The groove makes an easier breakaway so the tin snips don't crimp the logo.
Then I used an engraver to start carving the finer details of the outline.
Once that outline was dialed in, I brought out the files to start molding the edges. Again, by using the engraver first, it makes filing the excess off very light work. Minimal effort is used, which saves you from potentially filing off too much.
Finally, I took a small hacksaw blade in order to pick out the last bits inside all the corners and loops. Voila!
"Swingin' through your town like your neighborhood Spiderman..." 
Sits about right, so now it's time to shape (curvature), polish, and patina.
Hit the badge with some 'Goo Gone' in order to remove some old overspray.
This evoked a fond memory of my dear friend Carmine (RIP). I've heard others call it "Goo-B-Gone" or "Goo B'gone". But Carmine always said, "Goobie Gone" which always tickled me. He was a dear soul, and a fellow creative. What's wild is, the only video I have of him, is him playing 'Hello From the Other Side' by Adele. I miss him very much.
This evoked a fond memory of my dear friend Carmine (RIP). I've heard others call it "Goo-B-Gone" or "Goo B'gone". But Carmine always said, "Goobie Gone" which always tickled me. He was a dear soul, and a fellow creative. What's wild is, the only video I have of him, is him playing 'Hello From the Other Side' by Adele. I miss him very much.
Taped it to a pipe section so I can hammer it and polish it.
Coming along beautifully!
Mock up with tape, and I think it's ready for glue!
Coming along beautifully!
Mock up with tape, and I think it's ready for glue!
MattiThundrrr
Rattus All Terrainus
I see W's.
W's everywhere
W's everywhere
Got the tire painted up as well.
Time to slap on this sticker so I can mount the plate. This is an amazing NOS 'Weird Wheels' sticker.
If mounting to a clean surface or page, this would be a slap and go. The adhesive is pristine. However, this plate is far from clean. I wire wheeled the back, and cleaned it, but I will use a tack spray for adhesion and a clear over that.
If mounting to a clean surface or page, this would be a slap and go. The adhesive is pristine. However, this plate is far from clean. I wire wheeled the back, and cleaned it, but I will use a tack spray for adhesion and a clear over that.
That little W was small and tedious work, but I bet it was very rewarding and worth it! Such an awesome detail!!!
Well done!!
Well done!!
You already know!!! I was ecstatic about how good it came out. I also had to nail my hand to the table to prevent myself from over working it. Ideally, I would've liked to have stepped down the size a nanometer
but it's so good, I don't want to mess it up.
Headbadge is cured, and ready for patina!
The black Schwinn lettering was a stark contrast from the silver 'W', so my wife suggested I paint the 'W' to match.
Taking that into consideration, I wanted to weather the lettering a bit more and kind of blend the patina from both ends.
So I starded by scuffing the Schwinn lettering to reveal more bare aluminium around the edges.
From there I slowly started building in color on the 'W' with a Sharpie. It allows for more 'do overs' (if I don't get the look I want) with minimal abrasion.
I'm happy with where it is now, so I am going to call it done. Previous to patina, I had tapped the 'W' with a rubber mallet to mold it into place. I am very pleased with the result.
The black Schwinn lettering was a stark contrast from the silver 'W', so my wife suggested I paint the 'W' to match.
Taking that into consideration, I wanted to weather the lettering a bit more and kind of blend the patina from both ends.
So I starded by scuffing the Schwinn lettering to reveal more bare aluminium around the edges.
From there I slowly started building in color on the 'W' with a Sharpie. It allows for more 'do overs' (if I don't get the look I want) with minimal abrasion.
I'm happy with where it is now, so I am going to call it done. Previous to patina, I had tapped the 'W' with a rubber mallet to mold it into place. I am very pleased with the result.
And there she is!
It was a late night, but I also got the plate finished/mounted, and one handle bar as well.
