The Wright Special

[Wildcat]

While getting a wheel trued, I noticed a set of handlebars, way above all the others on display. They had to get a ladder to get them down. So now I have 2 sets, but this one is chrome, paint won't stick, and a lot of early bikes had steel bars. These are what I'll go with.

 

[Wildcat]

Going for this look:

 

[GeePig]

That is certainly beginning to look like a very old bike

 

[Wildcat]

So far. I'm going to cut off the generator bracket from the fork and see about a head badge and brake arm. I wonder if I should turn the stem backwards like the example above.

 

[Pondo]

I wonder if I should turn the stem backwards like the example above.

That would give it the right look, for sure. Will it cause ergonomic or interference issues?

 

[Wildcat]

I'll look like a circus bear riding it either way, but it has clearance. I give it a try and also maybe take a couple inches off each end of the bars.

 

[Wildcat]

I took an inch and a half off the ends.

 

[Pondo]

Definitely a closer match, looking good!

 

[ingola]

I took an inch and a half off the ends.

View attachment 219362

Reminds me of massy harris

 

[Kevin B]

I took an inch and a half off the ends.

View attachment 219362

I think you have achieved the "look." Your bike is looking awesome.

 

[Wildcat]

I've got back issues, so I can't ride crouched down, but I can go to uprights just by adjusting the stem and bars. I think it looks good that way, but that's just for testing, the bars go down for the finished product once I get a few more little things worked out.

 

[ingola]

I've got back issues, so I can't ride crouched down, but I can go to uprights just by adjusting the stem and bars. I think it looks good that way, but that's just for testing, the bars go down for the finished product once I get a few more little things worked out.

View attachment 219450

I like it better upright great job

 

[Wildcat]

It might stay that way, Jimmy had uprights on the early 1900 Special.

Another example of uprights:

 

[OddJob]

If you want to take down that 'chrome-y' look WC, you could use the duplicolor metalcast Smoke or Black chrome paint. It would give your crank , bars ; anything that's chrome an older look like aged nickle.

Here it is on my RaTsberry BuffeT ....

All the parts were initially bright chrome.

 

[Wildcat]

It's like the silvery paint they used instead of chrome in WW2. I've got a pair of handlebars from then that are waiting for the right bike.

I bought an extra pair of the new bars as they were cheap and painted them faux wood to match the rims. I still have to chop the ends off.

If a new development works out, I'll have cork grips on wood (fake) bars, something like these but upright:

 

[Wildcat]

I inquired about having a head badge made up. The town engraver quoted 60 bucks. I need plan B.
I wonder if I can just get a piece of brass or copper and do it myself with my dremel. It has a lot of little engraving attachments I know nothing about. Has anyone here made up their own head badges?

 

[Dr. Tankenstein]

Any chance you could find someone with a 3D printer, they could probably whip up a headbadge

 

[Kevin B]

I inquired about having a head badge made up. The town engraver quoted 60 bucks. I need plan B.
I wonder if I can just get a piece of brass or copper and do it myself with my dremel. It has a lot of little engraving attachments I know nothing about. Has anyone here made up their own head badges?

View attachment 219642

Somewhere on the forum here a person did a tutorial on acid etching head badges.

 

[Captain Awesome]

https://ratrodbikes.com/threads/making-my-own-head-badges.45405/

 

[Wildcat]

I'll look for 3d printer person. As for the chemical stuff, it's more than I care to deal with.

Thanks!