Spitfire 5 - The Cal Custom Cruiser Treatment

[Robertk]

So BITD, RRS built a Cal Custom Cruiser using a 1979 Schwinn Spitfire 5 as the foundation. The bike was featured in a BMX magazine listing out all of the parts. The article said RRS spent over $1,000 to build the bike. That would be $4,032.45 dollars in 2023!. Some of the parts used on the original build are super hard to find (can you say Phil Wood drum brake? ), so I plan to make this more of a tribute rather than an exact copy. Here are some pictures of what I'm starting with. The color scheme will be black and gold.

 

[Robertk]

26” Tange fork I’ll be using

 

[Robertk]

Frame and fork

 

[Robertk]

Ukai rims with rear Shimano drum brake and front NOS gold Shimano BMX hub.

 

[Robertk]

 

[MattiThundrrr]

Killer plan. Following with much interest

 

[Robertk]

There’s no Phil Wood drum brake in this build, but there are Phil Wood spokes! Hahaha

 

[MattiThundrrr]

Ooh la la!

 

[BartRidesEternal]

Very nice start!

 

[Robertk]

 

[Robertk]

The original bike had the springs on a Mesinger seat, K&N bars, and cable clips brass plated. I could not find a brass player locally, and I suspect the cost would be prohibitive. Instead, I contacted Chip at C4 labs in Delaware. He was able to powder coat the springs, bars and cable clips in gold that mimicked polished brass. I decided to go with a Brooks saddle instead of a Mesinger seat. Here are some before and after pics of the seat springs -

 

[Pondo]

Wow, great build! Subscribed!

 

[Robertk]

 

[Dizzle Problems]

Awesome! Always look forward to your builds Robert! This’ll be rad!!

 

[Robertk]

Chain guard hardware.

 

[Robertk]

 

[Robertk]

 

[Robertk]

 

[Robertk]

Going to attempt a stencil for the chain guard graphics

 

[Robertk]

Found a pretty decent 13/16 gold post in my stash