BO15 Skidwell GTS

[HuffnPuff]

Had little play with the brakes and seem to have found some that will work. Mounted the red under the brake bridge otherwise it’s just an odd angle and won’t go near the rim.

 

[MattiThundrrr]

Had little play with the brakes and seem to have found some that will work. Mounted the red under the brake bridge otherwise it’s just an odd angle and won’t go near the rim.

Better do better than "seem to have found some that will work" on a bike called Skidwell!

 

[HuffnPuff]

You are correct. Definitely need some decent brakes.

Went to add some brake cables then discovered I’d installed rear brakes from a ladies step through. Another step backwards, had to find some more that had a top pull. This time I test fitted before the spit and polish - lesson learnt there.

Then on to the shifter. The existing shifter is a bit iffy, plus appeared more difficult to mount on the top tube.
Measured the cable pull for the hub, checked the pull against a scrounged modem front shifter and there was plenty for the rage of motion I wanted. Probably won’t be indexed though.
Knocked up a bit of a mount for it.

 

[OddJob]

Those old thumbies are perfect for rat rod bike builds. Vintage bikes didn't have indexing, why should our 're-vintage rats' have it, right?
RaT oN~!

 

[MattiThundrrr]

It's not non indexed shifting, it's micro adjust!

 

[HuffnPuff]

Mounted the shifter using a couple of reflector brackets. Plastic so the don’t scratch the paint!

Now to try and make it a bit more stylish.

 

[HuffnPuff]

Forgot to add that the shifter was in the wrong position so I pulled it apart, cut out a little of the base plate and rotated it a bit to suit.

Added a little bling to the shifter box. Will paint it soon, it’s a bit cold right now.

Looking for a T handle for the shifter and found this irrigation fitting.

Filed down the shifter a little to make the handle fit

 

[GuitarlCarl]

That frame is pretty cool. Nice revival. Brake headaches are why I snatch up every 3 SPD coaster or kickback coaster hub I find...

Carl.

 

[HuffnPuff]

Added a headlight and reflector and I reckon it’s done. Just needs a photo shoot.

 

[HuffnPuff]

It’s more of a repair than a rat build. Speedwell GTS frame and forks. Speedwell Ladies Sport (step through) cranks, pedals, chainguard, bars, stem and headset to keep it in the family. Modern alloy rims, rear laced to a period correct Sturmey Archer 3spd. Old school bell, headlight and reflector.

Modern shifter and custom housing built from an old plastic case off something electronic.

Rides nice, but unfortunately a tad small for me.

 

[kingfish254]

Cool work on that shifter conversion and console!

 

[The Renaissance Man]

^x2