While digging through my garage for old truck parts I came across these motorcycle bars. These bars are old. These bars are not nice. These bars are bent. I think they’re perfect for a klunker build.
ORBO What the klunk?
- Thread starter Pondo
- Start date
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Frame donor is my old CWC frame (Roadmaster?). I’ll use the frame, seat post and bottom bracket, maybe the seat.
I had built it up in the early Crested Butte style. I really wanted to use a Schwinn cantilever frame for that build so I picked up this one at a swap meet and I’ll get that one back together at some point.
This old Novara will donate it’s wheels and miscellaneous other parts.
Ok, enough jaw-jacking, back to work.
I had built it up in the early Crested Butte style. I really wanted to use a Schwinn cantilever frame for that build so I picked up this one at a swap meet and I’ll get that one back together at some point.
This old Novara will donate it’s wheels and miscellaneous other parts.
Ok, enough jaw-jacking, back to work.
Digging out parts and bringing them inside as it’s currently snowing. This is going to be a (hopefully) quick build using parts on hand.
I forgot that I had this cool Suntour GT on it already so it will stay.
I forgot that I had this cool Suntour GT on it already so it will stay.
I’ll be using these Specialized MTB forks and I’m going to try to use these truss rods.
I forgot about the different bottom bracket for these cottered cranks. There’s already a bottom bracket adapter in there at least.
I forgot about the different bottom bracket for these cottered cranks. There’s already a bottom bracket adapter in there at least.
Pulled the wheels from the Novara. The front is good but the rear hub is pretty crunchy so I went back to the other one. Went with an old Panaracer on the front and NOS Kenda Kevlar bead for the rear. Nice old 6 speed cog set too.
That's looking to be a great bike!
Your frame is one of those made after CWC left Cleveland and went to Arkansas but before they went cantilever style on the frames, probably 57. The serial number could be on the BB or dropout, starting with a "G".
Your frame is one of those made after CWC left Cleveland and went to Arkansas but before they went cantilever style on the frames, probably 57. The serial number could be on the BB or dropout, starting with a "G".
Might be a ’54?
Definitely a 54!
MattiThundrrr
Rattus All Terrainus
Man, I love a CWC frame, and the parts you're throwing at it are good stuff too. Can't wait to see where it ends up
You moved to the 'head of the class' quickly my dirt loving brother! CWC straight bar frame, moto - x bars, stem, those Panaracer 'shoes' ~ wow!
Thanks OJ! It was a fun afternoon with many more to come.You moved to the 'head of the class' quickly my dirt loving brother! CWC straight bar frame, moto - x bars, stem, those Panaracer 'shoes' ~ wow!
Got some time to work on the Klunk today. First up was the front brake. I used the cable stop on the stem. It’s designed to be a straight shot down to the straddle cable from there. But I put the truss rod bracket right in the way. I used a flexible brake noodle to route the cable around it. It operates smoothly and works great.
Next challenge was the rear caliper brake. This is from a 3 spd bike of some variety. It took some yankee engineering to mount it to the frame. I wound up tapping the small hole in the brace to accept pieces from a cantilever brake. Shaved down a washer and used some more good bits to get it on there. Mounted on top the caliper arms were too short so I mounted it underneath. It works which is fine by me.
I didn't get any close up shots of the completed setup but it shows in the full bike shots. I got the idea to mount it this way from LocoJoe:
Next challenge was the rear caliper brake. This is from a 3 spd bike of some variety. It took some yankee engineering to mount it to the frame. I wound up tapping the small hole in the brace to accept pieces from a cantilever brake. Shaved down a washer and used some more good bits to get it on there. Mounted on top the caliper arms were too short so I mounted it underneath. It works which is fine by me.
I didn't get any close up shots of the completed setup but it shows in the full bike shots. I got the idea to mount it this way from LocoJoe:
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After I trued the back wheel up enough to not rub on the frame I hopped on and went for a ride. I have to say, this thing rides really well, I’m impressed. I had really low expectations so I was pleasantly surprised. The bars, B72 and finger grips are very comfortable. The thumbies work great. Brakes are 3 fingers each and a hearty “whoa Nelly!” but they do the job. I didn’t have much time to throw at this bike and wasn’t sure I would get it done on time but we’re down the road with this one. Hopefully I’ll be able to take it out to the trails next week and have a longer ride. I don’t think I’ll be doing anything too technical or taking any jumps but this thing will cross country no sweat. Ok, maybe sweat. 
This was a really fun build.
This was a really fun build.
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Klunkers are the best! Especially for us mtb types, it takes us back in time to the roots of our favorite past time when off-road steeds were simpler.
This has all the makings of a fun and capable trail rider, witb just enough 'risk' mixed in ('whoa nelly brakes') to make it interesting!
DiRt RaT oN~!
This has all the makings of a fun and capable trail rider, witb just enough 'risk' mixed in ('whoa nelly brakes') to make it interesting!
DiRt RaT oN~!
...and, using a cool Loco Joe video (one of my fav RRB dirt riders!) for a tutorial wins bonus points!
Thanks OJ! It’s been a fun build. I really wanted to go bare metal on this one but with time and weather constraints that’s going to have to wait.
