"Sportster" DX (renamed)

[gowjobs]

I bought the ol' "Goldfinger" frame and fork from Walker. I thought I'd see how a skinny-ish 26" looks up front. I need to re-lace that rear S-A 3spd into a 24" hoop, then I'd put a 2.125" donut on that.

My thought is to do something similar in style to Heiwa and BratStyle motorcycles in some ways. Somewhere between bobber and street-tracker proportions.

 

[gowjobs]

Re: The DX

Just scored an old loaf-type BMX seat on ebay. This thing'll be awesome.

 

[tulsacruiser]

Re: The DX

I thought about buying that frame. I like it.

 

[gowjobs]

Re: Ventucky DX

Rode my 29er down to the LBS today, and scored a used 24" MTB rear wheel with a bent axle for $5. A little time and the hub from an old Haro BMX bike should mean I have a complete set of wheels for my '52. I just need to get these freewheels off so I can change the spokes.

 

[gowjobs]

Re: Ventucky DX

Got a couple of pieces in since the last update, but you'll have to wait for pics...

1. Viscount "Loaf" '70s BMX seat
2. 26x1.0 Tom Slick for the front wheel
3. Spokes and hub for the 24" rear hoop.

Wish me luck!

 

[cactus]

Re: Ventucky DX

nice! i wanna see that loaf seat on it. i was actually going to replace the seat on my bike with a banana seat, so it will have that brat style look. here is my bike similar to yours

 

[gowjobs]

Re: Ventucky DX

Well, here's a quick mock up with the 24" wheel in the rear (it's a 24" frame) and the loaf seat (no sissybar yet). I think I'll keep the narrow 26" up front... kind of a speedway bike/dirttracker feel. According to Walker, I can fit a 24x2.3 in the rear... looking for an appropriate flatland/cruiser tread tire for the hind end.

Better shot of the seat:

Thinking I should rig up a couple of coilovers for a suspended sissybar.

 

[gowjobs]

Re: Ventucky DX

Trued up the newly-laced rear wheel, and threw the new tire on the front rim, even though I don't have a tube for it yet. The first bead went on easy enough, I figured, "What the heck?"

Mounted, it looks like this tire, on a 26" MTB rim, actually measures under 25" in height. I'll be able to drop the front fork over an inch.

 

[Walker]

Re: Ventucky DX

It's lookin great Dave. Totally new style for the old mini cruiser.

 

[GCG2]

Re: Ventucky DX

digging the build bro! where are you guys coming up with those forks?

 

[gowjobs]

Re: Ventucky DX

digging the build bro! where are you guys coming up with those forks?

I don't know what this fork came from - you need to ask Walker. Plenty of these forks on chopper-style kids bikes and inexpensive mountainbikes, but I don't know what the source was for this one. The legs on this one are REALLY beefy; close to 1-1/2" in diameter. I'm thinking of making an aluminum shroud to cover the triple clamps on the front-side... like a big Harley glide fork.

 

[Choppercabra]

Re: Ventucky DX

Dave please dont tell me this is going to end up like your finally built soap box car.

 

[gowjobs]

Re: Ventucky DX

Dave please dont tell me this is going to end up like your finally built soap box car.

Nah... I've already built three bikes. This will be four.

 

[gowjobs]

Re: Ventucky DX

After dropping the front fork to a reasonable level with the new front tire, you can see how much I need to trim off the legs:

 

[gowjobs]

FedEx brought my rear tire this morning. That square-shouldered 24x2.125 surrey tire really sets off the 26x1.0 front donut.

I'm pretty sure I'll change the bars out before this thing is rideable:

Need to make up a sissybar once I figure out a seat height that I can live with.

 

[gowjobs]

Added the hydraulic brakes... talk about ten pounds of ... in a five-pound bag!

Can't have ANY wobble in this rim...no room for it!

 

[gowjobs]

Okay - switched out the seat, bars and brakes... for now.

That seatpost is an old Flexstem cut off with a seatpost end welded to it. Kind of a suspension layback.

Tall bars make for easy wheelies.

Powerslides are a little more difficult with that big Jerald slick on the back.

 

[KFitzke]

Hi Dave,

Great build. Where did you get the rear tire? I've been looking for a square-like tire and not having any luck. Any help would be great!

Thanks, Kevin

 

[gowjobs]

You can order them from Jerald - there's a whole thread on the Bike Talk board here: http://www.ratrodbikes.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=32211

 

[gowjobs]

Okay... I found inspration for where I want to go with this thing:
http://www.czombieblog.com/2010/11/mark-drews-is-man-best-triumph-ever.html