My inbox is already being punished with updates on builds I'm watching and we aren't even a week into the competition.I can't wait to see future entries 
It took me a while to decide on what to build this year.I missed the deadline last year by a couple hours.Just a few parts needed assembled and installed to make it ridable,as per the rules
I wanted to see how my creation stacked up against everyone else.I guess I should have started before July 4th weekend 
At least I ended up with a cool ride IMHO.I had a lot of fun,learned a LOT,and pushed my abilities. And that's the important thing right 
Last year's entry:Tripolar
This year, getting an early start should allow me to finish on time for judging.I've decided to build up an Elgin I picked up in January.I saw it on CL a couple times over the winter but was more than I wanted to spend.It popped up again just before my birthday at a price I could live with soooo,Happy Birthday to me!I saw subadrew had a small discussion on this forum about this bike and he passed on it.Lucky for me,I like it.I don't know much about it as far as it's date or much else for that matter.I think it was one of those models when they were changing from the 28" wheels to the 26" ballooners we all love so much.Possibly a motor bike
Dunno.Haven't done much research yet.I usually do that while building a bike.If any of you with knowledge about this bike care to educate me(us),feel free to chime in with your big ol' brain.The bike as I got it.
The guy I bought it from said he put it together with parts he got from the interwebs.It has Elgin finned hubs(painted black.don't know if that's how they came or Krylon) laced to EA3 type rims,also painted black. 26"x1 3/8" tires,new.Wrong size seat post.Wrong seat and bars.Here's the hubs,which I'll be using (I think)
It also came with 28" raingutter fenders.
And 28" truss fork.
This is an interesting bike to mee and I have been kind of saving it for the build-off.Since seeing it for the first time,it kind of conveys a dark personality.It has a blood red coat of paint peeking out from behind a burgundy top coat.There is no red paint on the top tube except under the seat.There appears to be white around the head tube and possibly scallops with pin stripes on the top and down tube.The burgundy paint has crazed and looks like veins with the red poking through.It also looks like it has been beaten with a chain.....repeatedly
You will see in later pics what I'm babbling about.This,combined with the black components,reminded me of vampires for some reason.I'm going to build this bike with the story of the most famous "vampire" of all time:Vlad Dracul III,as inspiration.Check it out on wiwkipedia.Interesting stuff.Plus, the image search I did reflected a lot of the same colors present on this bike.Therefore,leaving the paint as/is will allow time to focus on details and painting other parts......black.Although I reserve the right to change my mind.I think I've got some cool parts and ideas to help pull off a cool bat themed ride.
First round of throwing parts at the Bat Rod!
Seat,post,bars,26x2.35rear tire,26x1.5 front,truss fork,columbia girls tank,chainguard
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7225/7139 ... c8c5_z.jpg
And some fenders.
Brooks B72,no fenders.
That's where I'm at right now.I've got lots of other parts laying around I want to try with this bike.I see some stuff I like already.Some stuff.....not so much.I need to use up parts I've accumulated this year and have some cool stuff to choose from.The only thing I'd really like to have for this build is a Columbia chainguard to match the tank I'm using.There's a couple swaps coming up,maybe I'll get lucky.
Thank you in advance for checking out my build
I encourage you to offer any feedback or knowledge you'd like to send my way.I especially want to thank Steve(Rat Rod) for such a great place to share this healthy addiction.Good luck to all the builders and thank you all for your inspiration 
