Mag Ray, Almost Goofed Up...

[MplsCoaster]

I bought these Lester Aluminum wheels last weekend off CL ($35)

I had no intentions of building a 20” tire bike (I probably can’t ride it)
But I saw Aluminum and Bendix in the same sentence and I had to buy them
The hubs seem in pretty good shape and all the red paint was already off (yeah!)
They are super heavy so no “Poppin’ a Wheelie”
I’m thinking 20” Sting Ray with mag rims, mag chainring but all polished or silver metallic
Blackwall Slick out back and skinnier blackwall in the front
I found this cool muscle bike on Randy and Nova’s site and got some more inspiration

http://vanscyoc.net/blog/archives/382-S ... -Bike.html

I posted the wheels and idea in Fresh Finds and Dr. T named it “Mag Ray”, thanks

Got a beater bike off of CL Wednesday($40). The prerequisite shot outside the garage:

I found a kid to build it for now so I have to get to work
Going to try to get it done before Christmas but we'll see...
I think I'm going to strip it and paint it metallic silver
Picked up silver metallic Rustoleum (plus primer and clear)
Tore it down last night and the wheels look almost too small for it (?!)

Only have 12” of distance between the fork slots and the middle of the fork so it can’t be 24”
Might be clearance for fenders (?)
Next is to get it completely torn down and paint stripped by my best friend
He has an antique furniture refinishing business and he has stripped a couple of frames/parts already with good results, plus I get to use his spray booth too
Shameless plug:
http://www.oldsciencerenovation.com/
Looking to order up a silver metal flake banana seat, sissy bar and slick this weekend
Does anybody have a good source they’ve dealt with?

I know I have another build going but that one might have to wait a bit. :lol:

Thanks for looking

 

[user 135]

Re: Mag Ray

Try Rini Enterprises. Mostly old school bmx but lots of other cool parts too. They have a dark silver banana or a black with white stripes that might look cool plus sissybars.
http://rinienterprises.com/ Their webpage doesnt' link directly to the seat page so you will have to navigate there.

 

[Dr. Tankenstein]

Re: Mag Ray

I too recommend Rini, good prices and great people to deal with.

What are your thoughts on tires? The rims look pretty wide. Maybe 20 x 3 slick would fit in the back?

CCR had one on his Sting-Ray build off with Schwinnray69, I always like the way it looked. But then again, I'm a member of the 'Mo' Fatta, Mo' Betta' club. :mrgreen:
http://www.ratrodbikes.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=43&t=37809&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&start=15

Looking forward to watching this one!

Cheers,
Dr. T

 

[SCHWINNRAY69]

Re: Mag Ray

You know Schwinnray will be watching this Sting-Ray build! :mrgreen: Good luck, can't wait to see it come together :wink:

 

[MplsCoaster]

Re: Mag Ray

Hey Cman
Thanks for the link, I'm going going to order some stuff from there this weekend
It's great to have an personal recommendation to a parts source

Hey Dr T
I hope you like the name :lol:
Thanks for the link to sting ray Build off, what a great resource
Going to make this one bullet proof for my step son's girlfriend's son (5 yrs old)
So no 3" slicks on this one (implying there may be more with a bigger slick)
Have to have it very reliable so no tight clearances but thanks, I'm inspired for my next build
Found these 20X2.125 slicks for a reasonable price

A local LBS has some 20X1.5 Kenda Kwest on sale so that should look/work good on front

Hey Schwinnray
Thanks for the great inspiration from your build, both bikes look way cool!!
Really nice job on your bike 8)

I've got to go and tear down everything today so I better quit yakking and start working
Does anyone else "see" a kinda cool cafe racer in the last bike picture?
Maybe later I'll throw some drops on it for photo purpose only
Thanks for looking

 

[SCHWINNRAY69]

Re: Mag Ray

That slick you have a picture of looks like the Duro I have on my bike FYI it says it's a 20x2.125 but it's a lot more like a 20x1.75 :wink: I picked mine up at my LBS for $10...ya can't go wrong :mrgreen: And it it makes great skids

 

[iven]

Re: Mag Ray

:idea:
hey man if your gonna use new pedals those KKT 's ?
look decent you could sell them for project funding
just fyi :wink:

 

[MplsCoaster]

Re: Mag Ray

Hey Schwinnray,

Thanks for the advice about the slick
I think it is the slick Duro
Unfortunately there is no LBS that stocks them
Thanks posting all your info on your cool ray

Somebody already called dibbs on the BMX parts
I'm a terribly slow and new seller so don't envy him


I got my big order in from Rini in this week
Looks like I can work on it next weekend

My friend got the parts stripped and donated the time and effort for the donor kid
Thanks Terry!

Super happy after this afternoon's work
Can go bare metal after all !!
Rather sand and polish any day than paint
Going to clear coat it several times to protect it

Trying to figure out how to go from a soft wire wheel to polishing
Never did polished before
Bought a polishing kit but it almost makes it more dull
http://www.ryobitools.com/product_image ... _Final.jpg
Am trying the black abrasive now
Tried some 1500 grit paper but still less shiny
Can tell that the wire wheel is making direction scratches that show up as less shiny from different angles
Don't want to wet sand or use any type of oil
I'll look at some of the other people doing Bare Metal Bikes to steal their tricks :lol:

What do you think?
Thanks for looking

 

[Dr. Tankenstein]

Re: Mag Ray, shiny metal update

Liking it so far! You've got a way with these shiny metal bikes!

Also, I'm honored that you named the bike after my suggestion...
I'm not doing much else these days, might as well name other people's builds :mrgreen:

Cheers!
Dr. T

 

[SCHWINNRAY69]

Re: Mag Ray, shiny metal update

Looks great!

 

[MplsCoaster]

Re: Mag Ray, shiny metal update

Thanks guys for the support!

Didn't get any more done yesterday but after the snow on Saturday,
the sun came out nicely on Sunday so I had to get another shot

Thinking the bare Aluminum wheels and Steel frame will work together okay
The polishing is not going to be quick or easy but think it will be worth it.
Found some new techniques to properly polish

Can't wait for the other parts get here
Then I can have a proper mock up

Thanks for looking

 

[yoothgeye]

Re: Mag Ray, shiny metal update

This will be a cool bike... watching.

 

[SCHWINNRAY69]

Re: Mag Ray, shiny metal update

Lookin' good! 8) Share your tips on polishing, I plan on doing a bare metal bike myself :wink:

 

[MplsCoaster]

Re: Mag Ray, shiny metal update

Hey Yoothgeye,
Hope I can make it worth your while

Hey Schwinnray,
Trying some different ideas for polishing. I'll post what works
Looking forward to seeing what you have in mind
Thanks for "managing my expectations" about the Duro tire
Glad I got a 1.5 for the front
What kind of slick did you buy at your LBS?
Saw some NOS matched sets on local CL for $100 (ouch)

Got parts today
Made a mockup
The stem is just a place holder

I think it looks kinda cool (despite the poor pic)
Lots more work to do but it gives you an idea
The seat and grips don't match
Does the seat look kinda big?

Thanks for looking

 

[yoothgeye]

Re: Mag Ray, first mockup

Seat does not look too big, I think the grips and seat look great together. I'm still watching. :wink:

 

[Skipton]

Re: Mag Ray, first mockup

Yep looks good from here!

 

[jackdaw]

Re: Mag Ray, first mockup

That is pretty freakin' cool!

 

[pick]

Re: Mag Ray, first mockup

Steve, seat looks great (not too big!) I see what you mean about our 20" builds following the same lines! I wanted to find a set of those wheels also, but no luck. Wish you were closer & when both bikes are done, we could have had the boys race them! :lol: :mrgreen: 8)

 

[Dr. Tankenstein]

Re: Mag Ray, first mockup

Looking great so far!
I like that the only black on the bike is the tires, it has has an industrial-bulletproof vibe, to me anyway.

The recipient is gonna be one lucky kid!

Cheers,
Dr. T

 

[iven]

Re: Mag Ray, first mockup

gotta love those alum mags 8)