The Unofficial Bikes For Ladies Buildoff: Finished Bikes!

[NLCTVWguy]

1947 Schwinn Ladies Super Cruiser

My project turned out to be a challenge mainly to myself to build the ultimate bike for my wife.

From humble beginnings, a bike found at an antique store a year ago, this bike became a labor of love that I poured a great deal of time into. I knew I could create something cool out of it, and just had to figure out what that was going to be.

The detail work that went into it was more than anything I've undertaken before, and I learned a lot and solved quite a few problems along the way. I certainly could have made this bike a lot simpler and saved myself a lot of work, but I was determined to include a 5-speed, drum-brake wheel set on this bike. Many many hours were spent getting everything to work correctly.

The bike went for its inaugural ride today, downtown to our St. Patrick's Day parade. It probably could have been in the parade, for all the attention it got. People really enjoyed seeing it. My wife enjoyed riding it, and showing it off to people that stopped to check it out.

It's been a really fun couple months putting this one together. Hope everyone enjoys it as much as we have!

BEFORE: At the antique store, Stafford Springs, CT, March 2009:

St. Patricks Day, 2010:

The build sheet:

1947 Schwinn frame, fork, seat, seat post, rear fender, kickstand, feather chainguard

Front fender: 1995 Phantom repro rear fender, modified.

Stem: 1970's Schwinn
Bars: 1980's Schwinn cruiser
Brake levers: 1970's Schwinn Collegiate
Shifter: 1968 Schwinn Stingray
Crank& Sprocket: 1972 Schwinn Collegiate
Rear rack: JC Higgins ladies middleweight
Rack stays: Schwinn Stingray, modified
Headbadge: 1970s Schwinn repainted and "antiqued"
Grips: 1950's Schwinn
Headlight: 1970's Cycle Products, found with flames on it!
Rear reflector: 1969 Collegiate 2"
Pedals: 1966 large diamond block pedals
Cables: Red, NOS
Wheels: Columbia (?) Tandem 5-spd heavy duty drum brake hubs
Tires: WW 26x2.125 knobby style
Pinstripes: Commercial automotive pinstripe, some painted before application
Decals: Schwinn white arched frame logos, Phantom style seatpost logo and chainguard quality circle, 5-speed crossed-flag logo, early style fork triple stripes, all from Memory Lane Classics. Rat Rod Bikes logos on frame and rack. Moon Eyes on front fender.


Thanks for checking out my project and for all the kind comments!

Rat Rod Bikes rules!

--Rob

 

[Graylock]

Yes Rob, take a deep cleansing breath of satisfaction. That is one sweet ladies bike. You got your house colors, so cool. I'm looking forward to see it in flesh sometime this year.

Graylock

 

[udallcustombikes]

Turned out great! I'd be proud to have it in my stable. Job well done.

 

[ej599]

Looks great Rob! Those colors look very nice together on there and that shifter rocks. Can't wait to see it in person.

 

[NLCTVWguy]

Thanks guys! I know a few of you will see it in person, either on rides or at the swap meets.

It's beautiful. I feel kind of silly saying this because I built it, but I can't believe how stunning it looks.

When it was in the house, I couldn't take my eyes off it. My wife loves it, even though it is something of a bear to push around... close to 60 lbs! It's real fun downhill though!

And Udall, couldn't have done it without you. Many thanks and the favor will be returned.

We went out for another ride today, at the Fort which some of you have visited with me... perfect weather, much nicer than you could expect any March day to be... a great day to ride cool bikes with cool people.

--Rob

 

[aka_locojoe]

Great looking bike. Nice work. Good to see effort being put in to the girls bikes.

 

[rico]

A+ BUILD
i like it alot you realy did a lot of work and modifications that realy paid off quite well :!:
i realy think you're girl should be verry happy with her new ride
love the colors of choice :wink:

 

[sensor]

really like the bike but that seat just cracks me up(doh!! no pun intended)

 

[NLCTVWguy]

Thanks Rico!

I am really happy with the way the colors of the pinstripes go together.

Then I tried to use each color on the frame: Red pinstripes, orange bearing cups, yellow headbadge, white decals.

I have to straighten out that disc behind the crank- after 2 rides it rotated so it is not lined up right anymore. The bearings loosened up on the crank as well.

A little more work to do before it is 100% ready.

Thanks for the encouragement.
--Rob

A+ BUILD

i like it alot you realy did a lot of work and modifications that realy paid off quite well :!:
i realy think you're girl should be verry happy with her new ride
love the colors of choice :wink:

 

[NLCTVWguy]

Yep, thats the Sit on a Happy Face seat. :lol: I salvaged the material at work- it was going to be rags.

I have enough to build 2 more seats if you or anyone would like some.

--Rob

really like the bike but that seat just cracks me up(doh!! no pun intended)

 

[Rat Rod]

Turned out really cool Rob!

 

[Sinner4]

Murray Muscle Finished Bike

Here is my entry. Hope you like it. Rich-

To this, all new parts or good replacement parts. Silver Metallic Base with Purple Top Coat.

 

[jOe]

love that metallic purple!

 

[rico]

realy nice and clean looking :wink: good job :!:

 

[jOe]

Gentlemen, I think this one's about as ready as it's going to be.

A sturdy rear end, and invisible pedals!-

French cockpit and stopper-

Some fancy spoking-

The chainline of a champion-

From humble beginnings-

To happy endings!-

 

[Walker]

Looks great jOe, huge improvement, much more simple and elegant.

Sinner4, that paintjob is vibrant!

Mine is done, wife is thrilled. Hopefully if it stops raining and tomorrow i can take some pictures.

 

[rico]

Hi Joe

realy a clean looking build love the tires on it :!:

mike :wink:

 

[rico]

Hi guy's

The time has come to an end it seem's that this built has been alot of fun here are my pic's, hope you guy's like it .

and this was my mock up

my 53 frame

ok here she is

Ok, this is all done for now ,i will be doing some changes in the future but for now my girl is verry happy with the end result so now is time to enjoy ,good luck to the rest of the guy's

later mike

 

[jOe]

Woah, Rico, that is a hot trike! The paint color, and the fender scallops are beautiful. The trusses are very elegant as well. Really sweet!

 

[Walker]

Hats off Rico, that is sharp! :shock: