Bratz ratz

[ollyb83]

While out in town yesterday i called into LBS to have a chat and pick up a couple gear cables.

While i was there a rather interesting bike came in as a part-ex, i took one look and had to buy it.




As it was when i got it. (not my photo)






And after 3 hours of removing the decals, replacing bars with bigger apehanger, new tyres and brakes pads, and a good clean. Here she is now.









bit of a bargain at £49.99

 

[wheelbender6]

Cool. I often look for used low riders to convert to a muscle bike replica but I haven't taken the plunge. I like the way that bent springer fork has a place to mount a caliper brake.

 

[ollyb83]

i've been after one of these style bikes for around 3 years, finally i have one.

It's fun to ride, but i need to change the cranks to some a bit longer and these are bent on the non drive side.

all my mates think i'm mad buying it, but i love these kind of bikes.

 

[ollyb83]

Picked up a new crank for the cruiser as the original was slightly bent on the non drive side and was a bit short.



Original = 115mm
New = 145mm

That 30mm makes a lot of difference to the ride.




I'm toying with the idea of fitting a 5speed block, shifter and mech to this to make it more useable round here.

 

[LukeTheJoker]

Looks nice! Those bratz cruisers make a reasonable bike with a few changes.
My uncle just scored me one from the dump near him, will pick it up on our way back down the east coast later in the holiday...
Not a neat as yours, and a fair amount of surface rust, but it is a decent project start...

Luke.

 

[ollyb83]

After a couple hours messing round, i've managed to get 6 gears on the cruiser.



the smaller cog is blocked off for now as the chain rubs the frame on it, just need to get a couple spacers from works to wided the rear by a few mm.





note the suicide shifter fitted to the seat tube.

 

[ollyb83]

Rode it to work and back, I think I'll go back to single speed as the gears don't make that much of a difference.

May look for a 3 speed internal hub for it and build another wheel or try to find a Raleigh chopper rear wheel as they are 3spd 20" wheels.

 

[ollyb83]

Definitely going to a 3spd internal hub on this, the gears rattle and mis-shift like mad.

I've found a sturymey archer 3spd hub and shifter for free, so gonna build a wheel for it.

 

[schwidiot]

All summer long.........

24 inch Collegiate Camel Back Frame, 24 X 1&1/4 inch gray Wheel chair tires, set of 71 Slic Chik bars, a Swap meet nanner seat, this bike is just so much fun to cruise around on.

 

[ollyb83]

been awhile so i thought i'd update thie here thread.

still got the bratz cruiser, although shes different to the last photos.



fully repainted in matt black, with rigid bmx forks, 3speed sturmey archer hub and v-brake on the front.

 

[ollyb83]

sweeper rear fender.

 

[Nitro aj]

What are those tires called?