What to do...hmmmm

[Bodge Deep]

I've had a hankering for a pre war bike for many moons now and was lucky enough to find a Roadmaster, albeit a ladies... bike but beggars can't be choosers especially in the UK where balloon tyre, skiptooth bikes are virtually non existant...
I really love the Roadmaster but i really want a gents bike... I can't decide wether to sell it and look for a nice US buit vintage gents bike (very very very hard to find in the UK) or see if i can find someone in the US who has a CWC frame (or closest compatible prewar equivalent) that they'd be willing to ship to the UK. What would you guys do? If i could get hold of a gents frame I'd be more than happy to swap all the parts over and build up something from parts...
Any advice gratefully received...

 

[icyuod2]

some of those old girls bikes rock hard! i love the ones with the skirt guards.

i take it this is all about riding and not the prestiege of owning a flawless condition vintage bicycle?

if so, then flip through the forum and looks at some of the many many sex changes. (perhaps you could ask the members to show you some of thier projects)

more than a bunch are done so well, you'd never know if they didn't share it with us.

the grass is always greener on the other side.
i say "skirt up" and take that old ladies bike for a ride. either your gonna love it or hate it, but thats for you to decide.

good luck with the search!

 

[Road Master]

Keep the Roadmaster - whether you sex change it, acquire a same era boys frame and transfer parts or ride as is - if you get rid of it someday you'll look back on this and think - "Ooops".

 

[Bodge Deep]

Thanks for the replies chaps
I must say that I'd be loathed to chop the frame. I know its probably not the rarest of bikes, but over this side of the pond its scarce to say the least. Like you say if I cut the frame I can't help thinking I'd probably end up wishing I hadn't. Its very unlikely that I'd find a pre-war frame over here so trying to find a seller in the US who'd be willing to ship to the UK would have to be the next course of action. Although I'm not sure what the cost of this would be :?

 

[icyuod2]

many of the older 20" kids bikes where unisex bicycles (ie the top bar being removable)
perhaps you could fashion one for your bicycle (would love to see a pic, so we know what ya got)


basicly i'm thinking this. shape one end of tubing to butt up tight to your head set/top bar (just under the race so it can't lift out) the other end ya notch for your seat post (basicly fashion a seat post clamp outta the end of the tubing (ie notched and drilled for a bolt on the rear side of the seat post)

you wont have to alter the frame, and you'll get the gentlemans bike your after.

 

[Bodge Deep]

this is it...
viewtopic.php?f=16&t=27307

 

[deorman]

many of the older 20" kids bikes where unisex bicycles (ie the top bar being removable)
perhaps you could fashion one for your bicycle (would love to see a pic, so we know what ya got)


basicly i'm thinking this. shape one end of tubing to butt up tight to your head set/top bar (just under the race so it can't lift out) the other end ya notch for your seat post (basicly fashion a seat post clamp outta the end of the tubing (ie notched and drilled for a bolt on the rear side of the seat post)

you wont have to alter the frame, and you'll get the gentlemans bike your after.

I had more or less forgotten, I did this once with a piece of ABS plastic pipe, slightly curved from coming in a giant roll. It was held in by the upper bearing race and seat post clamp, you could "pop" it on and off, I kept glue and patches in there.

 

[icyuod2]

my computer skills suck, hope ya don't mind the crappy doodle.

you'd have to use a little larger tubing than the frame.

edit* or abs pipe. (good one deorman)

btw now i know what your talking about, i don't see the problem.

ride that sucka with pride, that old girl rocks!