The Rustacean

[BartRidesEternal]

My first class 2!

I found a 'project 346' Stella frame on a online marketplace right before I learned that there is another buildoff. Buildoff 18!
The thing I enjoy about project 346 frames/bikes is the larger size. I ride some great klunkers (electra rs and another, more standard cruiser frame) and the biggest issue esthetically is the seatpost length:

It is not a huge issue for klunkers.

Pictures of the 346 frame:

A very big chance I will be converting it to a gents frame.

I also have a wheelset on my attic. It has a 'bendix' hub from around 1944 - 1946.

Rear wheel pictures above.

Front wheel pictures above.

The wheels are in good shape despite the patina.
Needs new spokes though!

I also found an old 'NSU' fork from 1953 (or at least that's written on there).

I used these forks before on a bike with 26 inch wheels, I kinda liked the looks:

Things I decided:

• 26x3.0 Ruff Cycles Balloon tires. The black tires with the lines and the 'boardtracker' looks.
• New spokes for the wheels. Going to give them a bit of patina to match the wheels.
• Frame colour different and patina'd.
• Finish the buildoff

Still pondering on:

• Frame conversion to gents: add a tube or remove the current top tube and relocate it.
• Bottom bracket 1: Love the current lines in combination with a sprocket (pictures soon). But to get the seatpost as low a possible, I am thinking about cutting en repositioning the bottom bracket location.
• Bottom bracket 2: Since the current BB shell is welded to an 8mm plate, I have my doubts about stiffness. Maybe add a bracket to stiffen the shell and frame.
• Fenders yes/no.
• Carrier or rack yes/no.

Hoping to have mockup pictures soon!

 

[LukeTheJoker]

Woah, some cool stuff right there!
I hope you do the gender conversion, removing that top bar and refitting it up higher would look amazing.

 

[ingola]

Very cool

 

[BartRidesEternal]

Woah, some cool stuff right there!
I hope you do the gender conversion, removing that top bar and refitting it up higher would look amazing.

I think so too! @Starnger built a great bike with the same starting point a few years ago:

Personally, I will keep the bottom bracket loop.

Alright, some quick and dirty mockups. The crank and sprocket is just a fit, don't know if I'll use it in the end.

I already ordered the tires before the buildoff started, but did not assemble them. I knew I wanted these in combination with the creme coloured rims.

Enjoy!

Tires temporary fit.

Wheel between the fork legs. Needs an attachment or arm. There is no dropout for the front shaft currently.
I like the fork/rim colour combo! Just slightly different.

The fork dimensions are not the same as a bicycle.
I am thinking to simply cut the threaded fork tube and weld in a new one, but in the 1 1/8" threaded size for the frame.

Love that loop

First the fork, then geometry mockups and seatpost positions/type.
After that frame modifications.

Thanks for lookin' !

 

[metalchewy]

Loving that fork. Very cool frame to start. Gonna be a fun one to watch for sure.

 

[Funkme]

Love this already. Hopefully you don't change or cut to much of the frame. Even just adding a humped top bar will look great.

 

[LeMad Hatter]

Those forks! Those would look amazing on a cyber punk style build I have in mind. Any chance you could post a few more detailed pics of them?

 

[BartRidesEternal]

Loving that fork. Very cool frame to start. Gonna be a fun one to watch for sure.

Thanks Chewy!

Love this already. Hopefully you don't change or cut to much of the frame. Even just adding a humped top bar will look great.

Thank you Funk!

Those forks! Those would look amazing on a cyber punk style build I have in mind. Any chance you could post a few more detailed pics of them?

No problem!
Let me know if you need any measurements or more details.
These are "NSU Quickly" forks.
The green one I have is a newer version with a 'tray' for a lamp of some sorts. It also has a lock.
The 26 inch wheels fit because these mopeds originally had suspension. The springs are located inside the fork dropouts just above the arms (I don't have the arms).

Upside down.

Wifey helped me!

 

[BartRidesEternal]

Found a chaincover!

 

[SkyknightJohn]

Awesome frame and fork to start with, and a great plan! Will be watching...

 

[Jude Ephesus]

My first class 2!

I found a 'project 346' Stella frame on a online marketplace right before I learned that there is another buildoff. Buildoff 18!
The thing I enjoy about project 346 frames/bikes is the larger size. I ride some great klunkers (electra rs and another, more standard cruiser frame) and the biggest issue esthetically is the seatpost length:
View attachment 229847
It is not a huge issue for klunkers.

Pictures of the 346 frame:

View attachment 229849
View attachment 229850

A very big chance I will be converting it to a gents frame.

I also have a wheelset on my attic. It has a 'bendix' hub from around 1944 - 1946.

View attachment 229852
View attachment 229853
View attachment 229854
Rear wheel pictures above.

View attachment 229855
View attachment 229856
Front wheel pictures above.

The wheels are in good shape despite the patina.
Needs new spokes though!

I also found an old 'NSU' fork from 1953 (or at least that's written on there).

View attachment 229858
View attachment 229857
View attachment 229859



I used these forks before on a bike with 26 inch wheels, I kinda liked the looks:

View attachment 229861







Things I decided:

• 26x3.0 Ruff Cycles Balloon tires. The black tires with the lines and the 'boardtracker' looks.
• New spokes for the wheels. Going to give them a bit of patina to match the wheels.
• Frame colour different and patina'd.
• Finish the buildoff

Still pondering on:

• Frame conversion to gents: add a tube or remove the current top tube and relocate it.
• Bottom bracket 1: Love the current lines in combination with a sprocket (pictures soon). But to get the seatpost as low a possible, I am thinking about cutting en repositioning the bottom bracket location.
• Bottom bracket 2: Since the current BB shell is welded to an 8mm plate, I have my doubts about stiffness. Maybe add a bracket to stiffen the shell and frame.
• Fenders yes/no.
• Carrier or rack yes/no.

Hoping to have mockup pictures soon!

Fork is epic…..

 

[LukeTheJoker]

I hope you don't mind, I just love this frame and wanted to play with it.

Quick digital mock up for you using the current top bar just moved up:

You could also try to add an extra curve (Possibly cut from a cheap fork top curve if it is the same size tubing?) at the end of the top bar to smooth the transition to the rear stays, but it would be more work:

Anyway, loving this build, I will be following along whatever you do with it!

 

[BartRidesEternal]

I hope you don't mind, I just love this frame and wanted to play with it.

Quick digital mock up for you using the current top bar just moved up:
View attachment 230172

You could also try to add an extra curve (Possibly cut from a cheap fork top curve if it is the same size tubing?) at the end of the top bar to smooth the transition to the rear stays, but it would be more work:
View attachment 230173


Anyway, loving this build, I will be following along whatever you do with it!

Woow Luke I appreciate your work and enthusiasm! I am not that great with paint or photoshop so I wanted to ask my nephew for a similar shop, so thank you!
I do like your 'extra curve' a lot, but harder to manufacture.

I took the liberty of 'paintshopping' your work by adding a bar.
In the pictures I also removed the shifting cable holes and grommets.

What is your favorite setup?

#1: Straight bar (the easiest)

#2: Parallel swoop

#3: Short low swoop.

#4: Centre swoop

I like #2 and #4

Thanks guys!

 

[BartRidesEternal]

Alright, last one:

#5: Two smaller bars from headtube to dropouts.

 

[LukeTheJoker]

I like #1 by a large margin, looks like a vintage flat track crossed newsboy, #2&#5 would be a tie for second...

 

[BartRidesEternal]

And I appreciate your reactions tomorrow

 

[OddJob]

Great start BRE! The ideas and parts are already flowing nicely.

I like #2 of the frame mock ups , but realize the extra work involved. #1 would be my second option.

 

[SkyknightJohn]

1 & 2 for me, but any of them will look good.

 

[Captain Awesome]

#2 for sure

 

[LeMad Hatter]

I say #2, but I'm slightly biased towards parallel swoopy bars