The Rail 7

[Dr. Tankenstein]

Finished the painting today, including the chainguard. Got it to about a 9/10 (considering it's rattlecan). Decided not to clear over the vintage plastic frame decal...

Headed to Scottsdale on business for a few days. I'll let everything cure and start assembly when I get back on Friday.

Cheers all,
Dr. T

 

[Carbon]

Dang Tank! That thing is lookin RAD!!

 

[Oak Tree]

Adding to the long list of wows...
Wow, looking good.

 

[LukeTheJoker]

Very cool!

Luke.

 

[Bike Bum]

The suspense is killing me!!

 

[Dr. Tankenstein]

Well, went to start buffing/waxing the frame before assembly and found a thin spot of paint on the downtube......
Forecast looks good for tomorrow to spot paint it, hopefully we can back on track...
Cheers,
Dr. T

 

[Dr. Tankenstein]

I'm sweating getting this buttoned up in time for Get-A-Grip, but I'm pushing to the finish.

You know how when you get an idea sometimes, you just can't let it go? Well, I had an epiphany today and the suicide shifter is back! Also dreamed up a cool cable routing path, so we'll see once the paint is touched up.
Found this cool old light in my parts stash that I'm gonna use as the rear reflector. I like that it's small and kinda 'floating' under the seat. Install was a breeze, the seat had a third stud built in already, so fabbed a simple L-bracket and....boom!

That's it, wish me luck tomorrow.
Cheers all,
Dr. T

 

[Dr. Tankenstein]

In the immortal words of April Wine...
She's a roller yea, high roller baby!

There's still a lot to button up, the headbadge, shifter/cabling, overall tightening up.
Woooo!

Stay tuned, I think I may just make it.
Cheers,
Dr. T

 

[CRASH]

Gorgeous! And inspiring!

 

[LukeTheJoker]

Luke.

 

[American Vintage Bicycle Supply]

Wow, that's hot. Love the rail decal


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Dr. Tankenstein]

Thanks, it's almost done. Biggest hurdle will be cabling up the Nexus 7. I'm clueless how it goes together. Gonna start searching YouTube for help

 

[highwheelerboy25]

Thanks, it's almost done. Biggest hurdle will be cabling up the Nexus 7. I'm clueless how it goes together. Gonna start searching YouTube for help

Just put the thing in the thing with the stuff.

 

[GuitarlCarl]

Just put the thing in the thing with the stuff.

That's how I'd do it...



Carl.

 

[SCHWINNRAY69]

Wow, Doc!!! This is coming out great! Really digging that color! Might use that for one of my builds.

 

[Dr. Tankenstein]

Made a little more progress today. Got the chain on (nothin' fancy).

Installed replacement aluminum top tube tips (original plastics ones were jacked up)

Installed my favorite (and easiest) part, some honey brown Thompson bottle grips

And last but not least, the suicide (grip)shifter. I built up the seatstay with wraps of an old rim liner, then mounted a small (shortened) 22.2mm BMX stem. The shifter slid right on, to cap the end I used an Aheadset threadless stem cap (milled down to fit inside the tube. I routed the cable and hooked up the hub.

It's not my ideal solution, but will work until I find a true Rail shifter (that isn't either trashed or too costly)

Getting closer to the finish line on this one!

Cheers,
Dr. T

 

[heartlandcruisers]

man that is oen awesome build dr t!!!!
awesome work
I think we may be onto something here building adult versions of these iconic bikes
nonetheless that is an amazing build.
cannot wait to see it finished.
Sean

 

[Dr. Tankenstein]

I think I finished it up tonight, got the headbadge and fork darts installed.
Lowered the seat, relocated the suicide shifter for easier pedaling, and tightened everything up. Looks like it will make it to Get-A-Grip!

Pics tomorrow, weather permitting.
Cheers all!

 

[Dr. Tankenstein]

Finished......?.....
Profile, I think it has a nice 'balanced' look to it. I noticed that the overhang of the front fender is almost the same as the overhang of the rear. I rode it up and down the street, no rattles, nothing 'wonky' and it's comfortable.

Vintage Huffy headlight

Cable routing and relocated suicide shifter

Fork darts on the triple tree

Homemade frame protectors

Couple more

See ya'll at G-A-G!
Cheers,
Dr. T

 

[us56456712]

wow, to someone who didn't know better they would think it was factory. Looks a a lot better than factory to me thought. Love it. What a bunch of work