Finished.
Is it a Klunker?
There are no old Dutch 'Cruisers', so I used the strongest old frame I had laying about.
There are no real mountains here either, so it is an off-road bike.
I always wanted to put balloon tires in a 'normal' bike, and this build-of gave me a good reason to do so. Besides that, I like doing it the old way, with drum brakes and hub gears, and doing it with what is available and/or affordable.
Is it a Klunker? Who cares, I don't. It's fun to ride.
Specifications:
Frame: Union, Dutch, 28", 1962 or '63, used by me on and off for 17 years.
Rims: Alesa, Belgium, 26" (559mm), new.
Tires: Duro, Taiwan, 26"x 2.125", one found on the sidewalk, one new.
Rear hub: Fichtel & Sachs, took it off the shaft drive bike (no chain: no cables), sort of new.
Front hub: Fichtel & Sachs, a leftover from one of the many local bike shops, age unknown.
Spokes: left over from an old wheelchair, I needed the hubs (sidecar).
Chain: Extra strong stunt-bike chain, new.
Fork: Taken from a cheap ugly (modern) bike, bent with the flame-thrower to fit the tire.
Fork struts: The 'legs' of two rear luggage carriers, welded together, and a saddle clamp.
Handlebar: Tomasselli, Italy, aluminium Superbike thing, a present from the motorcycle shop across the street, age unknown.
Handles: Alesa, Belgium, found them in the kitchen.
Grips: Macneil, someone will know where they are made, BMX/stunt-bike, new.
Saddle: Brooks, England, very old.
Bottom bracket: ? Could be the factory one, could be a replacement, it does the job.
Cranks: ????????? 170mm, 44 teeth chain-ring.
Sprocket: 19 teeth, new.
Pedals: Wehrmacht, Germany, for use in Russia, found in France, made in 1944.
Bought a tin of ‘rattlecan’ car paint and used a brush.
A park is a good place to meet friends, especially if you need a picture of someone riding a bike.
We had some HOT coffee later, it's getting cold over here.
Is it a Klunker?
There are no old Dutch 'Cruisers', so I used the strongest old frame I had laying about.
There are no real mountains here either, so it is an off-road bike.
I always wanted to put balloon tires in a 'normal' bike, and this build-of gave me a good reason to do so. Besides that, I like doing it the old way, with drum brakes and hub gears, and doing it with what is available and/or affordable.
Is it a Klunker? Who cares, I don't. It's fun to ride.
Specifications:
Frame: Union, Dutch, 28", 1962 or '63, used by me on and off for 17 years.
Rims: Alesa, Belgium, 26" (559mm), new.
Tires: Duro, Taiwan, 26"x 2.125", one found on the sidewalk, one new.
Rear hub: Fichtel & Sachs, took it off the shaft drive bike (no chain: no cables), sort of new.
Front hub: Fichtel & Sachs, a leftover from one of the many local bike shops, age unknown.
Spokes: left over from an old wheelchair, I needed the hubs (sidecar).
Chain: Extra strong stunt-bike chain, new.
Fork: Taken from a cheap ugly (modern) bike, bent with the flame-thrower to fit the tire.
Fork struts: The 'legs' of two rear luggage carriers, welded together, and a saddle clamp.
Handlebar: Tomasselli, Italy, aluminium Superbike thing, a present from the motorcycle shop across the street, age unknown.
Handles: Alesa, Belgium, found them in the kitchen.
Grips: Macneil, someone will know where they are made, BMX/stunt-bike, new.
Saddle: Brooks, England, very old.
Bottom bracket: ? Could be the factory one, could be a replacement, it does the job.
Cranks: ????????? 170mm, 44 teeth chain-ring.
Sprocket: 19 teeth, new.
Pedals: Wehrmacht, Germany, for use in Russia, found in France, made in 1944.
Bought a tin of ‘rattlecan’ car paint and used a brush.
A park is a good place to meet friends, especially if you need a picture of someone riding a bike.
We had some HOT coffee later, it's getting cold over here.