The Benny.. Or how I spent my Sunday.

[MonsterMetal]

Hey guys....

So this morning I was kinda down because a bike I wanted sold before I could get it gathered up.. All the projects I have going on are waiting on something or at a stall... I really wanted to chop something and there was nothing really around to chop... So there comes "The Benny". When my wife and I where in Fred Meyers the other day (its kind of like a Walmart if you dont have them in your part of the country) I saw this cheap cruiser and thought for $100 it wasnt a bad lookin bike. I mean you cant hardly buy a cheep set of wheels and tires for $100 right? So This morning I ran down and bought one. $117 with tax.

And heres what followed.

So here she is... The Benny

First thing I did was get her stripped down and in the frame jig..... All the stickers off and bearing cups removed

Then I chopped off the cantilever bars/upper rear stays and cleaned her up a bit...

I didnt have a plan when I started wackin her apart. I figured it would make sense at some point...
I have a bunch of 7/8 tube that was free so I started there and this is what I came up with.

Almost a spaceliner feel I think.

I figured the neck needed a bit more rake

And here is what she looks like mocked up in bare steel...

All in all I dont think she looks bad for $100 and 5 hours work... I am gonna build her a leaf spring springer with I beam legs and try and figure out a seat and bars...

Well? I know its not vintage but when a guys got the urge to cut up a bike you gotta work with what you have...

 

[cut-um-up kustoms]

looks good nice work.

 

[blsm]

That is really great work. I've been looking at that same model in the Freddy's by my place for a while now to make a cheap Green Lake cruiser.

 

[Adapt]

Nice ideas...

 

[aka_locojoe]

Looks good. Very unique frame design.

 

[Rat Rod]

Looks like that bike is made by Dynacraft.

http://www.dynacraftbikes.com/brands.htm

Great transformation so far!

 

[sensor]

looks nice

 

[MonsterMetal]

I know these pictures suck.. I didnt have my camera today so I took a couple with my phone...

So I built new dropouts that moved the rear wheel up and out... and put some stainless perforated for the "tank"... I need to build some other rockers for the springer to move the wheel out, I dont think it has enough trail... But I rode her today.. She is gonna be a slick go gitter.....

I put a set of FSA BMX cranks on and a Azonic ultra cross bar.. Had to keep the seat that says "Benny"..... I think I might spray some muratic acid on her and let her rust in bare steel....

 

[MikeS]

That's a really nice frame jig you have there.

 

[tsudhonimh]

I like the look of the fork. can we get some close ups? also maybe a couple of the jig as well?

 

[sensor]

its here.......
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=2010
lower part of the page

 

[MonsterMetal]

Ok....

Built a new set of rockers for the springer today and added a fender bracket (I kind of like it with just the bracket though) Put a set of 144 spoke wheels on it for the Dead Baby Downhill tonight... Glad to say she got me to the bottom of the hill in one piece. I had that coaster brake howwling at the bottom of the steep parts... Fun ride... Probably 500 riders.. There where even a handful of rats. A real nice pre war Elgin that I should have taken a picture of....

The original wheels and tires are going back on it. I don't think the mega spoke canary's look right.

Here are some better (a little anyway) pics of the springer and the bike in general

Gonna head out too the Swap meet in Centraila tomorrow I guess. I really shouldn't go but I think I'll regret it if I dont. I guess work can wait...

 

[blsm]

Amazing work. Another stainless insert from the back of the seat up to the fender brace's peak would be a great touch.

I must have missed the whole race thing. I got to the bar at 7:30 and it was dead, so I figured the event was a bust

 

[Markm]

COOL!!! Im not a big fan of the multi spoked wheels but they look good on that!!

 

[MonsterMetal]

Amazing work. Another stainless insert from the back of the seat up to the fender brace's peak would be a great touch.

I must have missed the whole race thing. I got to the bar at 7:30 and it was dead, so I figured the event was a bust

Yeah... The race left for Ballard at 7 sharp... There was a gaggle of people there half an hour before you showed up

And I agree about it needing something like what your talking about on the rear. It looks a bit bare and needs something to tie it together.

 

[Mr. Farrell]

hey, for anyone who has Academy sports store in their area... they carry a Kaluna cruiser for $89.99. i was real close to getting one before i found my murray.

 

[Unkle Krusty]

very sweet. i wish i had a 1/4 of that space to work in.

 

[CCR]

is that a rear fender mount you added above the rear tire ?

 

[MonsterMetal]

is that a rear fender mount you added above the rear tire ?

Yep... thats what it started out as... Im still not sure Im going to put a fender on it. Just the strut looks kind of cool.. and I dont think I'll be riding a bare steel bike in the rain much anyway :?

very sweet. i wish i had a 1/4 of that space to work in.

Yeah the space is nice. I moved out of my 1800 sq foot shop about 4 months ago into this 7000 sq foot shop... It also has about a 1/4 acre of fenced yard around it... The only down side is its about 25 grand a year with utilitys... Which means I I cant spend much time working on my own stuff If I want to keep the rent paid...

On the plus side it has a legal paint booth that's big enough for a car :idea:

 

[Uncle Stretch]

Since you have the tools ,and the skills ,I'm surprised you messed with cutting up a frame. Its just pipe ,seems like with that jig you would just build a frame.
I had pretty good luck designing my own. :wink: