Tractorliner

[deven_science]

I'll be doing a scratch built frame around vintage parts. I've done this before, but the results weren't as dramatic as I'd hoped, so it took me quite a long time to come up with the right dramatic parts for it. Enter... a Murray kids pedal tractor. Since Murray built such bikes as the Spaceliner, Flightliner, and other *liners, I came up with the last minute name of Tractorliner.

Here's the basic layout:

And here's some of the parts I may use:

That's right, the body of the kids pedal tractor will be my "tank." Other possible parts include for those who care:

Roadmaster springer.
Skiptooth wheelset (and probably two chains, ouch).
Cream 2.35" tires from Chimi.
A cool siren.
Art deco stem.
Triumph 7/8" motorcycle handlebars.
And very special grips, made out of the fingers of a baseball glove by one of the best bike builders I've ever met, Bicycle Ray (Kutnhack on this site).

 

[raggedjim]

I like it already!

Good luck, Rg

 

[The Renaissance Man]

Cool idea!

 

[kingfish254]

Using that pedal tractor metal as a tank is genius.
This may become my favorite science build yet!!!! I love the concept!

 

[dracothered]

Go with the chrome tractor seat. Though mine has more character...

 

[LukeTheJoker]

Very cool build! Following along...

Luke.

 

[Chips_Mahoy]

My youngest son is wanting to do a tractor build. I'll have to show him this thread. It's gonna be kewl!!

 

[Terry66]

Love the tractor tank. Creativity at its finest....

 

[grasscutta]

Definitely keeping an eye on this build

If it can rust let it

 

[ifitsfreeitsforme]

this is gonna be cool.

 

[CCR]

Early favorite

 

[American Vintage Bicycle Supply]

oh that's cool. That's definitely a first for me. Great idea

 

[jats]

cool layout dude!!

Troy

 

[MazdaFlyer]

OK, this is the most original one I've seen so far. Neat stuff.

 

[MplsCoaster]

That tank is just too cool
Looking forward to see how it comes together

 

[deven_science]

Thanks for all the comments, all.

Today I found that the only head tube I had the right size (1" ladies) had lugs, and I couldn't figure out way to use the lugs and still look clean, so I took most of my shop time today grinding the head tube slim enough to slip the whole thing inside an 1 1/2" piece of tubing that I had cut to the same length as the head tube. I then welded them up at the ends and cleaned it up. Now I have something to start from! So I began.

 

[bleedingfingers]

I'll be keepin an eye on this one

 

[Glen]

Wow... this'll be great.

You gotta use that tractor seat on a bike called Tractorliner

Glen.

 

[Gold Street Customs]

I like it ALOT....couldn't resist

 

[deven_science]

I'm trying to be careful, as I'm aiming to craft the frame around the "tank" as close as I can. I'm not exactly sure how I'm going to build the back end, yet, as I suppose it depends on what seat I settle on.