Vista Cruiser -- Completed!!

[RonK]

Love the color combination. I've been such a slave to blacks and greys...I may have to try my hand at armed hued build!

[noodlenoggin]

So, it's June in Florida and getting more miserable weekly. Tonight was fairly pleasant, though, so I cranked open the garage door and worked on the Vista cruiser. Assembled, really. It took me a couple of tries (and a search of this forum) to remember how the crankset went together, but I got it working. All I have left to make it rideable is a chain, tires and tubes. I'd like to put fenders on it.

[largek9]

Looks really sharp! The paint combo. really fits that frame and I like spoke detail, it stands out , nice work! Tom

[noodlenoggin]

Looks really sharp! The paint combo. really fits that frame and I like spoke detail, it stands out , nice work! Tom

Thanks! I'm thinking I might cover the seat with some white cloth, I dunno.

[noodlenoggin]

Just a small update. I'm slowly picking away at the parts list. I have a chain and am looking for tires and tubes. It doesn't help the bike that we've been spending money like pouring water out of a boot to keep our cars on the road -- tires for my car, water pump and tires for our van, and now there's another leaking $200 on my car.

Anyway, I'm still picking at it...

[redrkt]

What size rims are those?? 24" or 26"?

[noodlenoggin]

What size rims are those?? 24" or 26"?

26. I'm not too worried about it -- it's August in Florida, and I can't go for a ride without melting for another month or so.

[noodlenoggin]

I'm excited, I just placed the order to Amazon for the final parts for the Vista Cruiser! Whitewall tires, tubes, rim strips and a layback seat post. Somewhere around Labor Day, it should be finished!

[noodlenoggin]

It's Done, It's Done!!

Omigod -- the day I thought I'd never see...is here! I rode the Vista Cruiser!

I'm working from home this week, because the RNC has taken over our downtown, and my office is downtown. So, when UPS brought my final parts this morning I was here to receive 'em. I mounted the tires and chain, and RODE that puppy!


Before2 by sunliner500, on Flickr
Before...


Vista Cruiser Completed #2 by sunliner500, on Flickr
...and after


Vista Cruiser Completed #1 by sunliner500, on Flickr


Vista Cruiser Completed #3 by sunliner500, on Flickr

So, for challenges, the chain I bought from Walmart, which is supposed to fit all 1-3 speed biked...was about 6" too short. Luckily I found about 5" of chain left over from my daughter's bike build and spliced it together. Between that and the master link, the back wheel just fits into the dropouts. I'm a little peeved, because nowhere on the package does it say the chain's for a 20" bike. I looked. Still, it works for now.

So, even though it's a bit drizzly from Isaac doing its thing offshore, I headed out on the road for a 2 mile or so ride through the neighborhood. It rides nice -- rolls well. The fit is odd, though. The pedals are way close to the seat, but the seat is way far from the ground. I think it's because the bottom frame tube wraps under the bottom bracket, which moves the pedals up a couple of inches. Still, I like it, and I'm super-excited to get to ride it after six years in a box.

Next...I guess make one for my wife. Anyone got a 24" women's bike for $15 or so?

[jaysmo]

WOW you sure did bring that bike from the grave.. looks killer its good to see a another Michiganier in Florida !!!

[noodlenoggin]

WOW you sure did bring that bike from the grave.. looks killer its good to see a another Michiganier in Florida !!!

Thanks!

[big kountry]

I had the same thing with a wal-mart chain if you get the multi gear chain it fits perfectly just in case you build another an need a chain

[Jake Sensi]

Sweet ride! I used that color on my build off bike Joan. The baby does sparkle! Peace

[noodlenoggin]

I had the same thing with a wal-mart chain if you get the multi gear chain it fits perfectly just in case you build another an need a chain

Thanks, that's good to know.

[noodlenoggin]

Sweet ride! I used that color on my build off bike Joan. The baby does sparkle! Peace

Thanks, I appreciate it. I love that chainguard on Joan, too.