Spaceliner Convertible

[The Renaissance Man]

A few weeks ago I bought this girls Spaceliner to restore for my wife. Since then, I have really grown to appreciate the lines on the frame. It's actually much cooler than the boys frame (in my opinion).

My plan has been to disassemble the entire bike, remove the clear coat, polish all of the chrome, etc., etc. Nothing out of the ordinary, except to make a nice clean rider.

Then I had an epiphany. While I'm restoring it, why not make something interesting for me to ride when she's not riding it (which based on the past, won't be very often).

The idea is to make a convertible tank for it. Armed with a screw driver and just a few minutes, I could remove the stock tank, mount my custom tank, and convert it into a cool boys bike without hurting anything original to the bike!

You might remember seeing some kids tank bikes that could be set up for either boys or girls.
I found this picture at www.american-vintage-bicycles.com...

I'm working on a computer rendering that I'll post when I get it ready to present.

 

[The Renaissance Man]

Here's the concept! Click on it for a larger view.

It would be made of fiberglass in two halves and have duel torpedo style headlights.

I welcome any opinions.

 

[kingfish254]

That flows very nicely! Hope you can pull it off.

 

[deven_science]

I was initially against the idea, until you posted the rendering. That is beautiful.

I also really like the girl's Spaceliner frames. I've wanted to make a flipped bike out of one for ages.

 

[The Renaissance Man]

That flows very nicely! Hope you can pull it off.

Thanks Brian! I think I can pull it off if I'll stay on task.

I was initially against the idea, until you posted the rendering. That is beautiful.

I also really like the girl's Spaceliner frames. I've wanted to make a flipped bike out of one for ages.

Thanks Deven, the thing I like about these frames is how the top tubes go all of the way to the seat stays. The flipped idea might be interesting too.

 

[pick]

I like all spaceliners, boys or girls. Your rendering would look awesome in my opinion! I will be watching this one.

 

[MplsCoaster]

That's interesting and does flow well

 

[TuckTuck]

That's rad. If that were my old lady, she would be without that bike. Lol. Then again, that's another excuse for another bike. Its a win win.

 

[Murray-Eliminator]

Great Idea! looks like something they should have done originally..

 

[LukeTheJoker]

I really hope you do it, that is really nice!

Luke.

 

[ifitsfreeitsforme]

I hope you do that mod. It's very cool.

 

[gcrank1]

Classy!

 

[The Renaissance Man]

Thanks for the encouragement everyone!

Murray-E, that is exactly what my intention is. When I'm finished, I'm hoping that it will look like a factory bike and only people familiar with actual Spaceliners will know the difference.

 

[deven_science]

Its a nice change from duct taping a broom stick in as a top tube!

That is sadly accurate for some of the conversions I've seen.

 

[The Renaissance Man]

By not altering anything except swapping tanks, it can either be a boys or a girls bike. It's a hermaphrobike.

 

[The Renaissance Man]

I have started a build thread, it's a go!
Click here.

 

[The Renaissance Man]

This week marks the three year anniversary of the launch of the TRM Convertible Tank!

Thank you to everyone who have purchased them!​