Silver King Unchained: BELT DRIVE....What a ride~!

[OddJob]

How durable are these frames? A friend had one in high school. The frame broke. His father took it to a machine shop for repairs but it broke again. Granted late 60s aluminum repair techniques were primitive. He was a big very strong guy, all state footballer. He and I did a lot of cross country skiing and he broke 2 - 3 fiberglass or cane poles each season double poling. He finally went to aluminum poles. I think he actually folded an aluminum pole. So upon reflection, it’s only natural that he broke the frame.

Your friend wouldn't be named Bruce Banner, would he?

 

[The Renaissance Man]

Looks great!

 

[SkyknightJohn]

Well done on the BB.

 

[OddJob]

Well done on the BB.

Thanks John. Now if I could just get this seat post / tube issue resolved.

 

[OddJob]

Looks great!

Thanks Jim! The bottom end of the seat tube is shaping up nicely. The top end however...

 

[kram]

I’ve never managed to own one of these aluminum frames, they seem like a pain. Looks like you are making a lot of progress on it.

 

[OddJob]

I’ve never managed to own one of these aluminum frames, they seem like a pain. Looks like you are making a lot of progress on it.

The use of two disimilar metals, aluminum alloy and steel alloy, creates an oxide build up that acts like a super hard barrier between the two,if it's not greased and maintained regularly.

And then the steel rusts to boot. This thing has'nt been touched since 1936, pretty sure.

 

[OddJob]

Day 9 Update

It's a roller!

 

[Pedalpat]

I'm digging it

 

[gowjobs]

That is a different Gates belt pulley than I've ever seen before. I dig the look of the bike with the brown hoops. Hope you keep a bit of the patina intact.

 

[Frankie plekhand]

I really like how your build is turning out! Nice handlebars

 

[OddJob]

I'm digging it

Thanks ! It was fun to get the newly built wheels on there and see it for the first time as a 'rolling mockup'.

 

[OddJob]

That is a different Gates belt pulley than I've ever seen before. I dig the look of the bike with the brown hoops. Hope you keep a bit of the patina intact.

Yep, that is the Trek version of the Gates pulley system. I should say the first edition of the Trek version. They still have a belt drive bike in their production line, but it uses a different system I believe now. That's why these parts were so plentiful, and cheap, along with the fact that nobody hardly ever had to replace theirs!

My hands would never hold up to a complete 'shine up' of this frame. I may take some of the stains off, but the patina will pretty much remain intact. Keep chimin' in , Dave. I'm open to ideas!

 

[OddJob]

I really like how your build is turning out! Nice handlebars

Thanks Frankie! I wasn't sure about these bars at first, but just sitting on the (loose and unattached) saddle last night, the reach and width and height all felt very comfortable. I will try one or two other options as well, but so far these 'feel' good!

 

[SwissGuy]

Day 9 Update

It's a roller!

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I really like the combination of dull aluminum vs gloss black.
Do you plan to tie in the gloss brown of the rims a bit more later on?
Also the stance and overall "attitude" looks great already!

 

[OddJob]

I really like the combination of sull aluminum vs gloss black.
Do you plan to tie in the gloss brown of the rims a bit more later on?
Also the stance and overall "attitude" looks great already!

SG, I am thinking the brown rims will come together with the grips / saddle cover, something along those lines.
And yes, this will end up with a mix of dull, patina, gloss, maybe even a satin mixed in with the finishes.

Thanks for checking in!

 

[kingfish254]

The fork and wheels look like they are fitting well on there.
I've done both satin and mirror polish on these SKs before, but there is a lot to be said for the unique way that their natural patina looks. Looking good brother.

 

[OddJob]

The fork and wheels look like they are fitting well on there.
I've done both satin and mirror polish on these SKs before, but there is a lot to be said for the unique way that their natural patina looks. Looking good brother.

Thanks KF! It's coming along. Hope you're having fun across the water!

 

[toro1978]

I must say these forks looks awesome stripped to metal:

 

[OddJob]

@toro1978 , that they do! Our bikes will be the Yin and the Yang; your stripped down raw metal, and mine gloss black.

RaT oN~!