Silver King Unchained: BELT DRIVE

[OddJob]

Silver King Unchained aka SKU is complete! This is a 1936 Wards Hawthorne Silver King frame, hot rodded with a Trek belt drive system and Sugino track cranks in a 3 piece conversion bottom bracket. The rollers are a Felt wheelset sporting a 24 x 3 Thick Brick in the rear and a 26 x 2.125 Thick Brick in the front. An ATV graveyard handlebar, a re-pop Monark springer front end, and Avid disc brake make up the control center. A Brooks saddle, rat trap pedals, custom leather grips, and one-off wood bar plugs finish off the cockpit. An LED lit tractor head light up front and LED lit tractor clearance light in the rear finish it off.

Here is the link to my build thread for the SKU:
https://ratrodbikes.com/forum/threa...ned-now-in-the-finished-builds-thread.115679/
And a final ride video I shot tonight, Thursday, August 25, 2022. Music track provided by "Proven Risky", my son and his guitar playing buddy at age 18; approx 15 yrs ago. Entitled "JB Groove".



A few process photos and a couple from tonight. Had a blast working with this very cool aluminum alloy frame, Duralumin , light weight and rust less- the same strong, heat tempered aluminum alloy used in streamlined trains & airplanes. IT is a smooth and agile rider, and quiet as can be with the belt drive.

"This is OddJob, signing off, from the BACK40. RaT oN~!

 

[Jude Ephesus]

Congrats OJ!!!! Stunning build!!!!

the belt drive is over the top. Amazing, amazing build!

-your handlebar knobs came out great too!!!!

 

[LeMad Hatter]

What a nice package! Bold frame choice for a klunker, and the belt drive is very unique

 

[OddJob]

Congrats OJ!!!! Stunning build!!!!

the belt drive is over the top. Amazing, amazing build!

-your handlebar knobs came out great too!!!!

Thanks Jude! I appreciate the bike love!

 

[OddJob]

What a nice package! Bold frame choice for a klunker, and the belt drive is very unique

Thanks Le Hatt ! I've been wanting to do this one for a long time. Very happy with the results!

 

[kingfish254]

Well done brother! Great mix of modern cool drivetrain with vintage durallium hotness.
Aren't you glad I got that Rockabilly Boogie?

 

[OddJob]

Well done brother! Great mix of modern cool drivetrain with vintage durallium hotness.
Aren't you glad I got that Rockabilly Boogie?

Thanks man! I appreciate the kudos. Aren't YOU glad I picked up that Rockabilly for you?

 

[Ravenshurst]

Very cool, @OddJob. I love that old n new!

 

[OddJob]

Very cool, @OddJob. I love that old n new!

Thanks Raven! It came together after some wrestling with the old parts on the SK to get them freed up from the frame. Glad to see you aboard the build off train this year!

 

[Couch tater]

This bike is the way. Great parts mix, no unnecessary flash or bling, and plenty of details that draw you in for a closer look. Nicely done!

 

[OddJob]

A few more process photos from along the way. The SK frame came with all the parts frozen with rust, and the fork was snapped off about 3" below the crown.

Some times traditional bike specific tools do the do the job. Sometimes you have to combine them with tools 'not necessarily intended' for bike work to get the job done.

 

[OddJob]

This bike is the way. Great parts mix, no unnecessary flash or bling, and plenty of details that draw you in for a closer look. Nicely done!

Thanks CT! I appreciate your critique. I wanted a bare metal hot rod with upgraded drive parts and 'the look'. Here is one of my inspirations for this build...

 

[Couch tater]

Thanks CT! I appreciate your critique. I wanted a bare metal hot rod with upgraded drive parts and 'the look'. Here is one of my inspirations for this build...

View attachment 206241

I'd say you nailed it!

 

[Shrunken_Head_Pedaler]

Classy and cool bike! Loving it!

 

[OddJob]

Classy and cool bike! Loving it!

Thanks Shrunk Head Ped! That's what I was shooting for!

 

[Pondo]

It's definitely got the look. This is how I'm feelin'

 

[Karate Chicken Industries]

Vintage Meets Modern, right in my wheelhouse.

 

[OddJob]

Vintage Meets Modern, right in my wheelhouse.

Thanks KCI ! Yep, works for me!

 

[kram]

This is a slick ride. I’ve got to get a silver king one of these days.

 

[OddJob]

This is a slick ride. I’ve got to get a silver king one of these days.

Thanks kram! Yep, after seeing Kingfish and Scribble do their work with SKs I knew I wanted one. Just got lucky to find one local, and at a very reasonable price!