Single & Ready to Mingle

[kram]

I picked up this single bar schwinn a couple years back and it’s been hanging in my garage since. I always thought these were cool and weird frames. I think they only made them for a few years, if I remember correctly this one is a 1957 flying star.

Plans are for a pretty simple build. For starters I have an unused but slightly dirty pair of quick bricks. Also a Columbia springer that I plan to faux patina to match the frame.

 

[OddJob]

Love that title, @kram ! And the frame and your parts ideas are right up my alley. This is gonna be cool!

Welcome aboard the build off train !

 

[user 26311]

I like where you are going with this!

 

[Swampthing]

Cool.
it will be fun to see how this cleans up and comes together.

 

[kingfish254]

I don't think I have ever seen one of those before. Very cool, and even cooler plans with the creme bricks and springer.

 

[kram]

Thanks guys, I’m pretty excited about this built. It seems like every year life gets in the way of the main build off. I think the only two build offs I finished a bike for were #4 and #8. Though I have done a few of the muscle bike build offs in recent years.

Got started on mocking it up today. I’m liking it so far. About three years ago I bought a pile of new felt tires from a collector. This is the last new pair I had, kind of sad they don’t make them anymore.

I found a deluxe guard in my parts that was the same color, I had totally forgotten that I had it. I think I like it better, but a little sad to lose the flying star decal.

Way back when I first joined this site there was an idea thread, it had an old bike on eBay that had a spoon for a coaster brake strap. For the last 14 years or so I have been doing the same thing. I’ve found that heating it up and bending it over a long smallish socket that’s clamped in a vice works really well.

Next up I’m going to start design the finned aluminum tank!

 

[kram]

Plans are to make a small tank out of this cast finned aluminum battery cover.

I made a pattern that lets me get both sides out of the piece of aluminum.

Now the trick is to get it cut out. I think I know someone who has a band saw.

 

[kram]

I got the tank cut out and mounted. Still needs a fair amount of grinding to get it all working right, but I’m happy with it.it is double sided, I just didn’t take any pictures from the other side. Also realized that the fork is a little bent. I’ve been meaning to make a tool to straighten forks, so I guess that’s next.

 

[Couch tater]

Looking good! For real patina and finned aluminum, mmmm-hmmm-mmmmm

 

[kram]

Looking good! For real patina and finned aluminum, mmmm-hmmm-mmmmm

A good old fashioned hot rod combo!

 

[Jude Ephesus]

Love this bike and build. Looking awesome

 

[rrtbike]

Very cool.
I don't really think it needs the tank plate.
The frame is cool enough.

 

[Skipton]

So much cool here! Keep up the great work.

 

[kram]

Very cool.
I don't really think it needs the tank plate.
The frame is cool enough.

I don’t disagree with this. Of course it doesn’t need the tank plate, it’s a beautiful frame on its own. None of these bikes need what we do to them. However, that’s the whole purpose of a custom bike, it’s an expression of creativity, taste, and design. This bike is loosely designed by a hot rod I’m building, and it’s taking some design ideas from it and that’s where the finned aluminum idea comes from.

 

[kram]

Slowly getting a little more work done on the tank plates. I like the contrast, and it ties it in more with the frame. I was planning on polishing the fins, but I think I like the raw aluminum look a little better.

 

[Couch tater]

That is sweet. Puts me in the mind of Offenhauser heads on a flat head Ford. I've looked for some finned aluminum a few times but can never find any at reasonable prices.

 

[kram]

@Couch tater that is what I was going for. I got that piece of cast finned aluminum for about $40 from speedway.
I’ve been working on a 1927 model T modified for almost ten years. I wanted a flathead, but at the time I couldn’t afford it. For now the small block ford with some finned parts will do. Just got it back from paint and hoping to have it driving this year.

 

[kram]

Had a chance to get the tank straps painted to blend in a little better. So far it’s all spray paint, I’ll break out the acrylics to color match them a little better. With the straps going between the two tanks halves it is surprisingly difficult to get it mounted.

 

[OddJob]

Wow, awesome work on the blending of the straps! That tank insert has a whole new appeal for me now. Very cool!

 

[kram]

Wow, awesome work on the blending of the straps! That tank insert has a whole new appeal for me now. Very cool!

Thanks. It’s kind of a fun game trying to get them to match.